Is there a specific wood to use for shelves in a pantry?

[SHEP]

I'm going to add a few shelves in my pantry but not sure if there is a specific wood I should use. Does it matter?

Thanks,

SHEP

 

[Chili Palmer]

I'm partial to melamine laminated MDF (particle) boards.

 

[fishing fool]

MDF

 

[76 Southwind]

Yep what Chili P says..

 

[SHEP]

Cool. Thank you all!

 

[sirbob]

Seriously MDF?

I was just about to type - don't use particle board HAHA

My experience with it was that particle board sagged after a few months.

I changed it out when I used it for that in the past.

 

[Ouderkirk]

I'm going to add a few shelves in my pantry but not sure if there is a specific wood I should use. Does it matter?

Thanks,

SHEP

I prefer poplar or even plywood for canned goods and such. MDF has a tendancy to sag with weight over time.

 

[Waterjunky]

Seriously MDF?

I was just about to type - don't use particle board HAHA

My experience with it was that particle board sagged after a few months.

I changed it out when I used it for that in the past.

And this was going to be my comment "anything that doesn't include particle or some variation of in the name".

 

[Tank]

Pine baby!!

 

[Willie B]

...Mine are all pine...still holding since 1944...

 

[havasujeeper]

I used melamine with biscuit joints.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Seriously MDF?

I was just about to type - don't use particle board HAHA

My experience with it was that particle board sagged after a few months.

I changed it out when I used it for that in the past.

If you're concerned with sagging use countersunk screws and glue a piece of 1x3 under the front edges of the shelves.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Everyone is correct because it can be done however you want!

There is one basic "plus" to MDF, it is easy to clean and resists some moisture to spills if caught quickly. It looks about the same many years later. Its pretty cost effective.

Something like "pine" or other "real" woods are probably able to support more weight over time without "sag". One the flipside they can twist and turn over time. They might look better depending on your other finishes. They could look really cheap and out of place in other decor. You really should seal it or put down a poly coat or something to help it resist moisture and spills. If you shelves are deep its going to require some glue/joints etc to yield a deep shelf. Cost can be an issue.

Plywood is probably the best of both in terms of look, but doesn't twist. Needs all the sealing/clear that a real wood does... and I just paid about $98 a sheet for 3/4 alder, so you better have some deep pockets once you add the cost of clear/seal.... Oh and you will need to edgeband the front leading edge to look as finished as real wood or MDF....

It will all look good for its debut photo session and all will be full of shit in a day and you wont see much of any of it. Thus the prevalence of MDF (looks good for a reasonable price).

 

[sirbob]

If you're concerned with sagging use countersunk screws and glue a piece of 1x3 under the front edges of the shelves.

Or just use a plywood or a solid board.

I learned the hard way - my particle board sagged. When I replaced them with a solid board they didn't. The particle board sagged in a couple of months - the solid boards have been in place 7 years.

 

[DC-88]

High grade MDF or real wood won’t span too far without support in a loaded pantry - solid edge band as shown here helps. Another trick we do frequently mid span or in the corners on a big span is a vertical strip tying the shelves together with one corbel support out of sight under the bottom shelf

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mobldj]

just finished this last week for the wifey

 

[Paul65k]

Seriously MDF?

I was just about to type - don't use particle board HAHA

My experience with it was that particle board sagged after a few months.

I changed it out when I used it for that in the past.

Especially when you live very close to the ocean........even worse

PS.....please don't put me on ignore...lol