first time kitchen cabinet project questions

[tim althoff]

I am redoing our kitchen and have some kinda basic questions. The cabinets will be frame-less with mission style rail/style flat panel doors/drawers. The cabinets will be stained and will have concrete counter-tops. i am going to use 3/4" birch plywood for sides and back because of the weight.

My questions:
1) On my 3 exposed end panels do i just change out the birch to a maple plywood or do i veneer over the birch? I thought about doing the raised panel ends but for the house and neighborhood I think basic end panels will be ok.

2) for my drawers i was thinking of using solid maple. I just don't like the idea of looking at the exposed plywood on the top edge.

Thanks in advance
Tim

[julian abram]

Tim, soild maple is great for drawers. Also you can use a solid wood band on top of plywood to hide the edge. I have done this a few times, use a roundover bit on both sides of the band for a more finished look on the drawer sides.