The customized cabinet has been in use for a year, but the door panel has warped; The kitchen hanging cabinet has been stored for two years, and the shelves are bent; The bottom of the bathroom cabinet has become moldy and blackened.

Almost every family has encountered these problems, but few truly understand the reasons behind them. The first reaction of most people is that the quality of the board is poor, but the truth is often not that simple.

Problem 1: The deformation of the board may not necessarily be caused by the pot made of the board.

The first major culprit of sheet metal deformation is actually installation.

No matter how good the board is, if there are not enough expansion joints reserved during installation, stress will be released when encountering humidity changes, manifested as bending, warping, and cracking. Especially at the junction of the north and south, or in environments with underfloor heating, there are drastic changes in temperature and humidity, and the deformation of the board is a physical law, not a quality defect.

But consumers don't understand these, they only see 'the board is bent' and then shift all responsibility onto the board. In fact, a qualified board can be used normally for five to ten years without deformation under the premise of correct installation. Deformation is more a matter of installation process and usage environment, rather than the board itself.

Problem 2: Edge cracking is the most easily overlooked hidden danger.

You may have never paid attention to the edge sealing of the board, but it is the true determinant of the lifespan of the board.

The function of edge sealing is not only for aesthetics, but also for waterproofing, moisture resistance, and formaldehyde release prevention. Once the edge seal cracks, water vapor will seep into the interior of the board through the gaps, causing the substrate to expand, mold, and layer. Especially in high humidity environments such as kitchens and bathrooms, the quality of edge sealing directly determines whether the cabinet can last for three or ten years.

Many consumers only focus on the color of the board when making a purchase, without considering the edge sealing process at all. In fact, EVA hot melt adhesive edge sealing is the lowest end solution, which will turn yellow and crack over time; The durability of PUR edge sealing and laser edge sealing is much better, although the cost is higher, it comes with a real service life.

Problem 3: Peeling and bubbling are mostly due to improper selection of substrate.

The peeling and bubbling of the surface finish may appear to be a problem with the finishing process, but the root cause often lies in the substrate.

The nail holding force of particle board is relatively weak. If it is repeatedly disassembled or subjected to uneven force, it is easy to loosen around the screw holes, which can lead to peeling of the surface. Multilayer boards have better nail grip, but if the moisture content is not properly controlled, they are prone to delamination in humid environments. MDF has the smoothest surface, but the worst moisture resistance, making it a disaster for use in kitchens and bathrooms.

So, not all spaces are suitable for using the same type of board. The kitchen and bathroom must use moisture-proof substrates, and it is recommended to use multi-layer or European pine boards for load-bearing boards, while particle boards are sufficient for non load bearing areas of wardrobes. Choosing the wrong substrate and using the wrong place, even the most expensive finish cannot save it.

Problem 4: Mold is not due to the board not being moisture-proof, but rather because it has not been properly sealed.

Many people think, 'I bought a moisture-proof board, why is it still moldy?'

The answer is: moisture-proof boards can only slow down the speed of moisture infiltration, but cannot completely prevent it. The true determinant of mold growth is the sealing treatment between cabinets and walls, floors, and countertops. If the sealing is not done properly, water vapor will continuously seep in through the gaps, and even the best moisture-proof board cannot withstand it.

Especially for kitchen sink cabinets and bathroom cabinets, the bottom and back panel closures are of utmost importance. Many installers, in order to save time, do a careless job of closing their mouths, which is the real reason for mold growth.

How to avoid these problems?

One sentence: Three parts board, seven parts installation. Before selecting the board, first clarify what environment and location you want to use it in, and then match the corresponding substrate and edge sealing process. Pay close attention to the closure and expansion joints during installation, which is much more useful than choosing a "better board" for an extra two thousand yuan.