I have used both and would not use MDF again. For one thing it absorbs water and will eventually start to break down, especially the sink base cabinet. And if a drawer or door gets damaged (like from having a toddler hang on it) the hardware screws will strip out and you can't really fix it. Really all MDF is is compressed sawdust. You can't refinish it easily either since it is usually a laminate veneer or resin coated finish. if you can afford wood carcasses and doors, go for it. Worth the investment.

One compromise would be to do the upper cabinets in MDF since they are not exposed to water (or toddlers) but the lower carcasses in wood, both with all wood doors and trim boards. MDF does make better shelves than wood since it is more dimensionally stable and won't sag with time and weight on it.

lorie, you can't go wrong with Maple White Wood since woods will last a very long time. If you use the other type it will be hard to drill holes in to add knobs etc.

The MDF is more like fake wood for what we called them particle wood here.

But I'll tell you "real" wood will be costly tho.

Hi - you can't beat real wood for looks and the amount of time it will last ! :)