Get matched with top cabinet makers in Belcourt, ND

Yes, likely. Most kitchen cabinets are plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Plywood is an engineered wood made by layering, pressing, and bonding thin sheets of wood veneer together. MDF is an engineered wood made by combining wood fibers with resin and wax. Both are cheaper than solid wood, but advances in the durability of MDF make it a closer alternative to the real thing.

Yes, sanding cabinets before you stain them helps the new stain better adhere to the surface. If you’re adding a darker stain to previously stained wood, you only have to sand them lightly enough to remove any finish and rough up the wood to improve adhesion. On the other hand, if you’re trying to stain wood that is a darker color or that has paint on it, you need to sand down to the original wood, or the color will show through the new stain.

It’s not usually a problem, although you may want to check the specifics of your cabinets first. A wall of kitchen cabinets can support about 600 pounds, including what’s inside and anything resting on top. Keep that limit in mind when adding DIY shelves or décor to the tops of cabinets. If you are installing a new row of full cabinets, they’ll typically have their own support mechanisms and the added weight will be minimal.

If you are building a laminate countertop from scratch, instead of buying premade laminate countertops, you can use particle board underneath the laminate. You will need to use a sheet of particle board for the substrate, along with four-inch strips underneath the edges. For proper installation, make sure that any seams are level and use a sander as necessary before installing the laminate.