What is a back panel?
A back panel is a sheet or board that closes off the rear of a cabinet, piece of furniture, fitted wardrobe or other building element. The back panel gives the unit rigidity, prevents draughts and keeps out dust.
Function
The back panel serves several roles:
- Structural bracing — a cabinet without a back panel can rack (parallelogram distortion). The back panel prevents this by acting as a shear diaphragm
- Separation — it separates the interior of the cabinet from the rough wall or the space behind
- Dust and draught barrier — prevents dust and draughts from entering through the back
- Finish — provides a neat closure to the rear
Application
The back panel is used in various situations:
- Fitted wardrobes — the back panel closes the unit against the wall
- Kitchen cabinets — typically supplied with a back panel of hardboard or thin MDF
- Wall linings — behind panelling or cladding, a back panel may serve as a vapour barrier or flat substrate
- Dormer windows — the rear wall of a dormer is sometimes referred to as a back panel
Materials
| Material | Thickness (mm) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Hardboard | 3–4 | Furniture, kitchen cabinets |
| MDF | 3–6 | Fitted wardrobes, furniture |
| Plywood | 4–6 | Heavier-duty applications |
| Plasterboard | 9.5–12.5 | Building partition walls |
The back panel is usually stapled, pinned or slotted into a groove.
Related terms
- Furniture
- Fitted wardrobe
- Plywood
- MDF
- Joinery
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