It's no wonder that hardwood plywood long ago supplanted solid lumber as the material of choice for built-ins, cabinets and many kinds of furniture. More stable than solid wood and available in many grades and species, plywood is relatively economical. But if one sheet of rotary-cut plywood looks like another, what's beneath the face veneer can be as different as maple and marzipan.

Cabinet Buying Checklist:

- What overall appearance am I trying to achieve in my kitchen?

- What color or finish will best produce that appearance?

- What wood will maximize my finish or color choice?

- What door style best accents the theme of my kitchen?

- What construction style is consistent with the theme of my kitchen?

- What other special features do I find appealing?

Most lumberyards stock veneer-core plywood, a cabinet staple for years. These panels are made by laying up layers, or plies, of wood so that the grain direction in each ply runs at right angles to the one next to it. Cross-grain construction is what gives plywood its strength and dimensional stability. Standard veneer-core plywood 3/4 in. thick consists of seven plies: two outer veneers, plus five hardwood or softwood plies between them.