Quality and craftsmanship. We use solid hardwood for our furniture tops and faces, typically finished with a hand-rubbed oil finish. We do this so that, if an accident happens, the problem can be fixed by simply sanding down through the problem area and reapplying the oil finish. Try doing that on a veneer top; the repair often requires replacing the whole piece. Many shops, including large home improvement stores, offer cabinets with hardwood door and drawer fronts, but then skimp on the internal casework by using particle board or multi-density fiber (MDF).