What Size Plywood For Drawer Bottoms

Drawer bottom Plywood Size

Some of you may recall that I'm working on building a cabinet for my Mom. I'm not exactly sure what to do about the drawer bottoms.

I plan to put a dado in the drawer sides and front to slide the drawer bottom into. Then tack it into the back of the drawer. )I've watched Norm do that on the New Yankee Workshop)

I know NOT to glue the drawer bottom in place so as to allow for expansion and contraction.

But what thickness of plywood should I use for the drawer bottoms?

I initially thought about using 1/4″ luan, since it's sanded smooth. But I'm not sure it's thick enough. I can get 3/8 CDX plywood easily, but that would be pretty rough.

I can also get 1/2″ AC plywood, but that seems a bit thick.

The drawers will be roughly 28″ wide by 20″ deep.

Any thoughts out there?

Money won't buy happiness, but it will pay the salary of a large research staff to study the problem.

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