MDF vs MDO

[GregD]

Has anyone built projects out of both MDF and MDO?  I plan on painting my cabinet and was wondering if it will be worth it to spring for the MDO.  thanks

[Bender]

if you can afford it, MDO all the way, it's 1/3 to 1/2 lighter, its stronger, you can screw into it safely, and its far more moisture and dent resistant, plus no formaldehyde dust everywhere
and the laminate/paper face takes paint better IMHO

cons: Pricey, hard to find, look closely at the sheets you are buying once in a while you can see the plywood grain through the paper/laminate and you don't want that to show up in the paint, so pick a different sheet

[SammyWI]

if you can afford it, MDO all the way, it's 1/3 to 1/2 lighter, its stronger, you can screw into it safely, and its far more moisture and dent resistant, plus no formaldehyde dust everywhere
and the laminate/paper face takes paint better IMHO

cons: Pricey, hard to find, look closely at the sheets you are buying once in a while you can see the plywood grain through the paper/laminate and you don't want that to show up in the paint, so pick a different sheet

+1

I've used MDO for the majority of my cab with MDF in the CP box where I need to have some routed edges.  IMO, MDO is well worth the premium everywhere that you don't need a finished edge without T molding.

[GregD]

Very good.  I am going to use 5/8" MDO to cut down on weight.  Looks like t molding is available in that width.