Best sheet goods for bathroom wall cabinet?

[cnewport]

The next project on my honey-do list is a set of wall mounted cabinets for a small bathroom which can get steamy.  I'm an amateur and not sure what is available in sheet goods that can withstand a little steam.  Experts - what product would you recommend for building in a steamy environment?  I'm looking for 1/2" material btw.

Thanks!

 

[Chris Hughes]

Painted our stained?

 

[Jonhilgen]

Prefinished ply, and a better exhaust fan  [tongue]

 

[norwegian wood]

any plywood will be fine, if you have that much steam you might need to install a better or ad another exhaust fan as you are probably doing more damage to the inside of your home then you know.

 

[cnewport]

Painted our stained?

Sorry...painted

 

[norwegian wood]

MDO

 

[mastercabman]

MDO

Isn't it a little overkill?

 

[cnewport]

I found some info about MDO online but wasn't sure it was necessary.  As for the steam, we have occasionally steamed it up on purpose to treat a croupy baby in the middle of the night.  The little one should be growing out of that soon - I shouldn't have to worry about steam until she's a teenager taking 1/2 hour showers

Thanks for he input, I think I'll go 1/2" hardwood ply.

 

[Chris Hughes]

I would go with 1/2" MDO.  First, it is a product rated for moisture, second, it is easily painted.  Of the sheet goods I have worked with, it tends to be very flat.  If I am working on any paint grade project my first choice is MDO.

 

[nickao]

MDO is not needed for a bathroom.

Any cabinet I installed in bath was hardwood, plywood,  even mdf and never have I seen one get effected by the steam. About the only issue is if something is actually touching the floor and you get a flood and it is sitting in a puddle for a long time.

I agree with one poster in his assumption if the steam is so bad it effects the ply there is a far worse issue behind those walls, mold etc.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I would go with 1/2" MDO.  First, it is a product rated for moisture, second, it is easily painted.  Of the sheet goods I have worked with, it tends to be very flat.  If I am working on any paint grade project my first choice is MDO.

I'm with the MDO guys.

 

[Chris Hughes]

I don't think mdo is any more expensive than a domestic paint grade ply wood.  I started using it because I kept getting crap sheet goods that were warped or became warped.  I build euros mostly so flat is important.  The benefit with mdo is that for a cheap piece of wood I get flat, moisture resistance, and a decent place to place a screw unlike mdf.

 

[cnewport]

Can you get mdo at a big box (we have Lowes and Home Depot) or do you have to go to a specialty shop?

 

[Chris Hughes]

I buy mine at Menards which is a large chain in the Midwest if I'm not doing a large project, then I order ten sheets at a time from a local sheet goods supplier.