Best Material (and cheapest) to build with?

[BobA]

Afternoon,
During the winter i plan to build some shelving units into two huge lockers (well they are about 2'6 X 3' X 18") - the plan is to create 'organiged' stoage for all the bits and bobs that at present are rolling about down there.
I had thought of MDF but seem to think that it will swell up with the damp air OR would it be OK to use if it was well covered in sealant of some sort?
There would be a bottom shelf and a shelf halfway up which would be sliding to allow easy access.

Thoughts appreciated if you would be so kind.

Bob

 

[Nick_H]

definately not mdf, marine ply would be best

 

[aztec]

12mm marine ply from sydenhams... about 45 squids for a 8'x4' sheet.(it's BS1088).

ordinary WPB would do if sealed properly. iv'e used it for years without any problems, but for areas on show i use the marine stuff.

i did see some nice "faced ply" in B&Q last week, but only in small sheets, might do you.

i don't like working with MDF, but as you say it's ok if it's sealed... come to think of it, i looked at some cheapo MDF table blanks the other day...



steve.

 

[Alrob]

cheapest would be moisture resistant mdf with a real wood veneer of course

marine ply is not a nice veneer

another option would be real veneer blockboard

however if it was me I would use real wood (planked of course) but admitedly I have a joinery workshop at my disposal

whatever you use make sure your method of sealing is not a micro-porous varnish/finish - as mentioned before you want to keep dampness out