Kitchen and wardrobe materials, explained honestly

Solid wood is real timber all the way through. It can be repaired, sanded and re-polished, and it is the only material on this page that improves with age. In a kitchen it is usually used for shutters, face frames and open shelves rather than whole carcasses, because large solid panels move with the seasons and cost far more.

• Sheesham: the hardest wood we use, warm reddish brown, the classic choice for premium shutters.
• Diyar: lighter, fragrant cedar with very durable heartwood, popular for shutters and frames.
• Teak: naturally oily and very durable, the solid wood we prefer anywhere near water.

No solid wood should stand in water. Wipe spills and keep the sink area sealed.

Plywood is made from thin sheets of wood veneer glued with the grain of each layer at right angles to the next. That cross-layering makes it strong for its weight, gives screws and hinges a better grip than MDF or particleboard, and helps it tolerate moisture better than either.

That is why we recommend plywood, ideally a moisture-resistant grade with every edge sealed, for the sink base, the cabinet beside a dishwasher and any wet zone. Quality varies widely between makers: look for even layers without gaps on the edge, and ask for the grade in writing.

MDF is made from fine wood fibres and resin pressed into flat sheets. Its surface is smooth and even, which makes it the best base for painted, lacquered, acrylic and 3D-finish shutters. It machines cleanly, so routed profiles look crisp.

Its weakness is water. Once water reaches an unsealed edge, standard MDF swells and does not go back. Moisture-resistant grades exist and swell much less, but they are not waterproof either. Every exposed edge should be banded or sealed, and MDF should stay out of the sink base unless it is a moisture-resistant grade and fully sealed.

“Lasani” is a Pakistani trade term rather than a single product. Zameen describes it as a medium-density fibreboard sold laminated, and in practice the word is used for laminated board, usually with an MDF or particleboard core. Buyers searching “MDF vs Lasani” and “chipboard vs Lasani” show how mixed the usage is.

So when a quotation says Lasani, ask which core it has. Laminated MDF is a reasonable mid-budget board for dry zones. Laminated particleboard is cheaper and weaker, and it is the first thing to fail when water gets in. Either way, check that every edge is banded, including the hidden ones.

Chipboard (particleboard) is the cheapest board: wood chips and resin pressed together. It is common in flat-pack furniture and budget carcasses. Its coarse core wicks up water and crumbles around screws once wet, so keep it to dry zones such as upper wall cabinets away from the sink and cooker.

HDF (high-density fibreboard) is denser and thinner than MDF. It is used for drawer bottoms, back panels and door skins. Like MDF, it does not like water.

Both are surfaces applied over a board core. They look similar in a photo and very different in use.

Solid surface is a blend of acrylic resin (PMMA) and a mineral filler, alumina trihydrate; published ratios vary by maker. Corian is the best-known brand. The colour runs through the full thickness, joints can be made nearly invisible, sinks can be moulded in, and light scratches can be sanded out.

Its limit is heat: it is not designed for very hot pans straight from the stove, and the manufacturer recommends trivets. Solid surface fabricators work across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, so it is straightforward to source and repair locally.

The resins in MDF, particleboard and some plywood can release formaldehyde, especially when new. Boards are graded by how much they emit:

• E2: 0.1 to 0.3 ppm (UK Health and Safety Executive). The highest of the common classes.
• E1: under 0.1 ppm (UK Health and Safety Executive). A sensible minimum for a kitchen or bedroom.
• E0 and no-added-formaldehyde boards (for example those bonded with PMDI resin) emit less again.

Labels are only as good as the supplier, so ask which class the board is and to see the marking on the sheet. Ventilate a new kitchen well for the first weeks.

1. Which material is each part made of: carcass, shelves, shutters, drawer bottoms and back panels?
2. If it says Lasani, which core is it: MDF or particleboard?
3. What is under the sink, and are all edges sealed, including the hidden ones?
4. What is the formaldehyde class of the boards?
5. Which hinges and drawer runners are included, and what warranty do they carry?
6. Is the quotation itemised, so I can see the cost of each part?

A good carpenter will answer every one without hesitation. Ask us all six about your kitchen or built-in wardrobe in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.