How Much Do MDF Cabinet Doors Cost in Canada? (Pricing Explained)

Introduction: Price Matters — But It’s Not the Whole Story

One of the most common questions cabinet shops ask is:

“How much do MDF cabinet doors cost in Canada?”

The honest answer is: it depends.

Across Canada, MDF cabinet door pricing can range widely — from very cheap, high-volume production to premium, CNC-manufactured doors built for consistency and performance. If you’re only comparing price, it can be confusing. Two doors may look similar on paper but behave very differently once they’re in your shop.

At TrueCore, we don’t aim to be the cheapest MDF door supplier. We focus on making the best doors possible and backing them with reliable service. Cheap doors are easy to find. Doors that save you time, reduce headaches, and finish consistently are much harder to come by.

This article breaks down realistic MDF cabinet door pricing in Canada, what drives those costs, and why cheaper doors often end up costing more in the long run.

MDF Cabinet Door Pricing in Canada: A Realistic Range

In today’s Canadian market, raw MDF cabinet doors generally fall within the following range:

• Low end: ~$7 per square foot

• High end: ~$15 per square foot

Most professional-grade MDF cabinet doors land somewhere in the middle.

At TrueCore, pricing for raw, CNC-cut one-piece MDF doors typically falls around:

~$12–$13 per square foot for most standard styles

That places TrueCore firmly in the upper-middle to premium range, and that’s intentional.

Why Are Some MDF Cabinet Doors So Cheap?

If you’re seeing MDF doors priced near the $7–$9 range, there’s almost always a reason.

Low-cost MDF doors are usually made possible by:

• Lower-density MDF cores

• Aggressive volume-based production

• Worn or basic tooling

• Minimal quality control

• Thin margins that rely on speed, not consistency

These doors may look acceptable when they arrive, but problems often show up later:

• Fuzzy or swollen edges

• Soft or rounded profiles

• Inconsistent sizing

• Finishing issues

• Callbacks months after installation

The cost savings show up on the invoice — but disappear quickly in labour, rework, and frustration.

What Actually Drives MDF Cabinet Door Pricing?

Two MDF doors can look identical in a quote but perform very differently. Here’s where the real differences come from.

1. MDF Core Quality

Not all MDF is created equal.

Lower-priced doors often use:

• Lower-density MDF

• Inconsistent fiber structure

• Material that machines poorly

Premium MDF:

• Machines cleaner

• Absorbs primer more evenly

• Holds sharp details

• Performs consistently in Canadian climates

Better MDF costs more — but it saves time at every downstream step.

2. CNC Machining Standards

True CNC manufacturing isn’t just about owning a CNC router.

Lower-priced suppliers often:

• Push feeds too fast

• Run tools longer than they should

• Prioritize throughput over precision

This results in:

• Torn fibers

• Rounded inside corners

• Profiles that don’t hold paint well

Premium CNC MDF doors are cut with:

• Controlled feeds and speeds

• Profiles designed specifically for CNC

• Repeatable processes

That level of control shows up in the final finish.

3. Tooling Quality (Often Overlooked)

Tooling is one of the biggest hidden costs in MDF door manufacturing.

Cheaper doors are often cut with:

• Standard carbide tooling

• Tools pushed past their optimal life

Higher-end manufacturers invest in:

• Industrial CNC routers

• PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tooling

PCD tooling:

• Cuts MDF fibers cleanly

• Maintains sharp edges over long runs

• Produces consistent profiles door after door

This is a major reason premium doors cost more — and look better under paint.

4. Quality Control and Consistency

Low-margin, high-volume operations survive by moving product quickly. That often means:

• Limited inspection

• Inconsistent sizing

• Errors that get passed downstream

At higher price points, quality control becomes part of the product — not an afterthought.

Consistency is what cabinet shops actually need, especially when scaling.

5. Service and Accountability

This is where cheap suppliers often fail.

Common complaints include:

• Missing or incorrect doors

• Slow communication

• Long resolution times

• “That’s not our issue” responses

Reliable service doesn’t show up as a line item — but it absolutely affects your bottom line.

Why TrueCore Doors Aren’t the Cheapest — And Why That’s a Good Thing

TrueCore does not compete at the bottom of the price range.

To sell MDF doors at $7–$9 per square foot, a manufacturer must:

• Cut material costs

• Push tooling harder

• Reduce QC

• Chase volume aggressively

That business model often leads to burnout, inconsistency, and eventually closing shop. When that happens, cabinet shops are left scrambling for a new supplier.

TrueCore is built for the long term.

What You’re Paying For at the $12–$13 Range

When you buy TrueCore MDF cabinet doors, you’re paying for:

• Premium MDF selected for CNC machining

• One-piece door construction

• Industrial CNC routing

• PCD diamond tooling for clean edges

• Profiles engineered for paint performance

• Consistent sizing and repeatability

• Clear communication and accountability

Most importantly, you’re buying time.

Less sanding Less rework Fewer finishing issues Fewer callbacks

That’s where real savings come from.

Cheap Doors vs Quality Doors: The Real Cost Difference

A cheaper door is only cheaper if:

• It finishes well

• It installs clean

• It doesn’t cause callbacks

When doors require extra sanding, additional primer, or rework, the savings disappear fast.

Cabinet shops that grow successfully understand this early. Shops that struggle often chase price — and pay for it later.

Who TrueCore Is Built For

TrueCore MDF cabinet doors are built for:

• Cabinet shops doing painted work

• Refacing companies

• Builders who value consistency

• Shops that prioritize reliability over bargain pricing

If your priority is the lowest possible price, TrueCore likely isn’t the right fit — and that’s okay.

If your priority is quality, consistency, and service, that’s exactly where we shine.

Final Thoughts: Fair Pricing for Professional Results

In Canada, MDF cabinet doors realistically range from $7 to $15 per square foot.

Where a supplier falls in that range tells you a lot about:

• Their materials

• Their processes

• Their priorities

TrueCore sits in the premium end of that range by design — because our goal is to help cabinet shops work faster, finish cleaner, and deliver better results.

Ready to Work With a Reliable MDF Door Supplier?

If you want MDF cabinet doors that:

• Machine clean

• Finish beautifully

• Arrive consistent and accurate

👉 Get an instant quote through the TrueCore online ordering form👉 Request samples and see the difference yourself

https://www.truecore.ca/place-order