HDPE Outdoor Cabinets vs Wooden Cabinets: Which is Best?

Installing wooden cabinets for your outdoor kitchen or garden area sounds lovely, but is it a sufficient material? When it comes to the HDPE outdoor cabinets vs wooden outdoor cabinets contest, the former wins easily.

Wood is beautifully old-fashioned and goes with just about everything, but that lovely appearance has a price…literally! It’s simply less durable than marine-grade HDPE. Even worse, you may end up spending more money just trying to maintain your cabinet over the years.

We’ll spare you tedious maintenance sessions and pricey replacements. This guide will break down HDPE vs wood’s main features and how they compare.

Header Source Image: ExtCabinets

Source Image: ExtCabinets

What is HDPE Made Of, Anyway?

HDPE stands for High Density Polyethylene, an incredibly tough thermoplastic. This versatile material regularly shows up in several everyday products to repel water, heat, and corrosion.  

Pipe Systems

Manufacturers and builders have used HDPE pipes for over fifty years thanks to their tough, yet lightweight makeup. HDPE pipes are able to withstand extreme temperature changes that traditional PVC pipes weaken or crack under. 

Bottles

From milk bottles to shampoo bottles, HDPE remains a popular choice for high-quality products customers can count on. This material is hardy enough to withstand scratches, bumps, and drops. 

HDPE also ensures the ingredients inside don’t spoil from temperature changes. As such, you can expect HDPE to protect the food or materials in your outdoor cabinet!

Boats

HDPE is marine-grade, frequently appearing in the hulls of boats to ensure a safe trip. Freezing waters, crashing waves, and collisions are nothing to HDPE.

While you’ll see HDPE in many more products, it’s time to hop into the comparison list and why this thermoplastic excels over wood. 

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HDPE Outdoor Cabinets vs Wooden Outdoor Cabinets

Feature	HDPE Outdoor Cabinets	Wooden Outdoor Cabinets
Durability	Highly durable with excellent impact strength, low moisture absorption, and better stress-cracking resistance. Suitable for heavy-duty use.	Moderately durable, prone to warping, cracking, swelling, rotting, and fading when exposed to weather.
Weather Resistance	Resistant to corrosion, rust, and UV damage, maintaining color and structural integrity.	Poor weather resistance, requiring regular sealing and maintenance to prevent damage.
Maintenance	Easy to clean and maintain, can withstand pressure washing without damage. Scratches and gouges do not affect appearance.	High maintenance, needing to be resealed every few years. Even with extra effort, durability is limited.
Insect Resistance	Not prone to insect infestations or damage.	Susceptible to termite infestations in some climates.
Combustibility	Non-combustible, safer for use around grills and other heat sources.	Combustible material, requires insulated jackets for appliances to improve safety.
Aesthetics	Available in various colors and textures to suit any style, maintains appearance even with scratches.	Natural aesthetic and visual versatility, but appearance can be affected by weathering.

While you may have your heart set on homely wooden cabinets, there are time-saving and money-saving reasons to reconsider! The first issue between HDPE vs wood is how much more durable the former is. 

HDPE is Completely Resistant to Moisture 

Marine-grade HDPE fundamentally doesn’t retain moisture. You don’t have to worry about your cabinets buckling or weakening under repeated exposure to rainy or snowy weather.

This handy feature means your cabinet will retain its strength. Since it won’t buckle or sag over time, you don’t have to worry about items sliding to the ground or your cabinet losing its appearance. 

Last but not least, HDPE is completely odor-free! Wood cabinets, on the other hand…

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Wooden Cabinets Have a High Chance of Moisture Build-Up

Since HDPE is moisture-resistant, it can’t develop harmful, smelly mildew or mold. Sadly, wood is prone to moisture build-up if you slip up on maintenance.

Wood is a porous surface, which means it’s covered in tiny holes that gather up moisture over time. This moisture leads to harmful mold build-up, an unsightly issue that can lead to breathing issues or skin irritation. While evenly applied coats of varnish will protect your wood cabinet, you need to reapply it every few years.

Be careful you don’t miss a spot, either! All mold needs is a neglected nook in your cabinet, some moisture, and time to grow. Removing mildew and mold from wooden furniture is difficult and expensive – many toxicologists recommend tossing out infected items to be on the safe side.

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HDPE Doesn’t Retain Hot or Cold Temperatures

HDPE cabinets don’t become hot to the touch, so there’s no risk of burning. This quality makes them well-suited to an outdoor kitchen with regular exposure to hot grills or steaming plates. 

However, if you want to use outdoor cabinets for storage, HDPE also won’t freeze. You won’t have to constantly haul your cabinets back inside or cover them with a tarp when the weather gets cold. 

There’s no fear of cold temperatures mixing with moisture and creating mold, either. Basically, this is the material that comes full circle.

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Wood is More Prone to Burning or Freezing

Wood cabinets are flammable, making it poorly suited for outdoor kitchen activity. If you want to put together a set-up with grills, barbecues, and hot stoves, skip this material. 

Not only can wood catch fire if you’re not careful, it also doesn’t respond well to very cold temperatures. Humidity build-up can cause your wooden furniture to crack or freeze, damaging it and exposing it to potential mold growth.

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HDPE Outdoor Cabinets Last for a Lifetime With Very Little Maintenance

Since HDPE is so durable, it’s able to last for several decades – in other words, a lifetime. While wood requires constant upkeep to last, HDPE needs very little maintenance.

Just wipe off dirt or grass with a wet rag and a little soap. No need for fussy layers of primer and varnish (both of which have to be reapplied every few years).

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Wood Has a Shorter Lifespan (and Still Costs More Money)

While wood is beautiful, it simply requires more maintenance in an outdoor setting. Compared to HDPE’s lifetime warranty, wooden furniture usually only lasts a decade or two before it starts showing its age.

This age can be superficial such as fading color or small cracks. However, it can also be deeper structural damage that can put your purchase at risk for broken parts, cracks, and holes. Not only can these holes house mold, they can even invite insect infestations. Not the best idea for furniture that’s supposed to be outside constantly, right?

You’ll spend more money for a product that requires varnish applications and repeated check-ins for possible cracking, buckling, or warping. If you’re not meticulous with your upkeep, you may still have to replace wooden furniture anyway.

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HDPE Comes in Many Colors, Patterns, and Textures 

You can still enjoy the beauty of wood without any of the downsides. HDPE outdoor cabinets come in many beautiful colors and styles to fit your backyard or garden shed perfectly.

We provide minimalist colors as well as more old-fashioned finishes. You also have the option to put everything together yourself or have your equipment pre-assembled – we ship out prefab and custom 100% HDPE outdoor cabinets.

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Wooden Cabinets Might Need Elaborate Painting Sessions 

Wood comes in a decent amount of colors and textures, but still needs more maintenance than HDPE. Wooden cabinets have a tendency to fade in the sun from repeated exposure, which is nothing to say of physical damage.

You’ll have to reapply coats of varnish every three to five years to protect your wooden cabinets from scuffing, scratching, or splintering. Splinters are especially troublesome if they get stuck in your fingers while you try to move your cabinet back and forth. Just one drop could crack or scuff the wood, too, and create a brand new maintenance session.

When you want to save as much time and money as possible, there’s only one material that makes sense for outdoor cabinets.

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HDPE Outdoor Cabinets are the Long-Lasting and Durable Choice

The winner between HDPE outdoor cabinets vs wooden outdoor cabinets couldn’t be more clear. With HDPE’s durability and longevity, it’s a purchase that will more than pay for itself in the long term.

HDPE cabinets are resistant to extreme temperature changes, meaning they won’t warp under sunlight or freeze when it gets cold. There’s no risk for harmful mold growth, rust, or insect infestations. Maintenance is also much easier than wood since you don’t have to constantly reapply varnish or be delicate when moving your furniture around. 

We offer 100% HDPE outdoor cabinets so you can enjoy your outdoor set-up without worry. Get a quote today to start putting together your outdoor kitchen, garden area, or storage shed.