Carcases are the units onto which doors and drawer fronts are attached – the internal framework of your kitchen. They have a structural role in terms of supporting the worktops, and of course provide storage and appliance housing. Only visible when doors are opened, they’re easy to overlook, but poor-quality carcases will have a massive impact on your kitchen’s longevity and performance.

The density of the material will determine the lifetime of your kitchen cupboards. Low-density chipboard is the most basic material for carcases. It’s more prone to permanent warping in damp conditions, but is the most affordable option. Here’s a full list of options.

Melamine-faced chipboard The staple diet of entry-level kitchens, MFC is a manufactured board popular for being inexpensive but strong. Its chipboard core is made from scrap wood, sawdust and paper, and faced in a melamine laminate. The carcase’s surface is moisture resistant, anti-fungal and easy to clean. The chipboard core will expand and ‘blow’ if moisture gets in, but most modern carcases are well-sealed to prevent this.

MDF (Medium density fibreboard) Another popular mass-produced board. It’s considered superior to chipboard, and is thus marginally more expensive. Why? Because it is stronger, denser and has a much smoother, more moisture-resistant edge when cut. Made from felted wood fibres bonded under high pressure, MDF is sap and knot-free and has a smooth surface that is suitable for a variety of finishes.

Timber-faced MDF or chipboard To achieve the beauty of real wood without fear of it warping, a thin veneer of timber – often to match doors – is applied on one or both sides of MDF or chipboard to give the impression of a single piece of wood.

Plywood Plywood is a premium sheet material made from layers of hardwood and is mostly used by bespoke cabinet makers. It’s incredibly stable and solid – virtually bulletproof – but weight can be an issue on wall-hing units. Marine-grade or MR (moisture resistant) ply is a good option if your house is built on a floodplain. It is usually face with oak or birch but can also be painted or laminated.

Real wood Solid timber in single planks is actually a very impractical choice for carcases. It isn’t as rigid as manmade boards and could well warp in time. The only valid option, therefore, is solid-wood carcases made from multi-stave boards, which are narrow staves of wood jointed together to prevent flexing

The benefit is that the carcase edge can be sanded flat, meaning edging strips aren’t required to achieve a neat look.