What is Melamine Board and What is it Used for?

Do you have a kitchen or bath remodel coming up? Maybe you’re looking for some shelving options. There are so many lumber  options to choose from. But what if you’re working on a tighter budget? The good news is that you don’t have to settle for low-quality, unattractive options. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, durable option to solid wood that still looks great, melamine board might be your answer.  

What is Melamine Board?

Essentially, melamine is a type of laminate, yet not all laminates are made from melamine. When melamine laminates are made, they’re created by molding a melamine/formaldehyde combination into a durable plastic sheet done by applying a certain amount of pressure-per-square-inch to the laminate. The amount of pressure applied changes the classification of the laminate. Melamine is a low-pressure laminate (LPL) because it is made with a pressure of 300-500 pounds-per-square-inch. High-pressure laminate (HPL), also called Formica, is made with over 1400 pounds-per-square-inch of pressure.

So, initially an organic compound, melamine resin is formed through polymerization as a hard and durable plastic material. The melamine sheet can then be applied to particleboard, plywood, or medium density fiberboard (MDF) forming a melamine board. It can be found in a variety of colors, patterns, sizes, and thicknesses.

Advantages of Melamine

When considering whether or not melamine board is a good option, you of course want to know the advantages. Melamine has several:

Durability – Melamine is highly durable, scratch-resistant, waterproof, stain-resistant, and easy to clean (bonus!).

Perfect finish – Melamine is available in a wide selection of textures and natural wood grains, and melamine panels are a cost-effective, multipurpose option for adding color, texture, and finishes to designs and projects.

Budget-friendly – Melamine board is a budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality and durability. It can save money and time during application because there is no need to sand or finish as with solid wood.

Disadvantages of Melamine

As with almost anything, there are also disadvantages. Such is the case with melamine. For example, while the material itself is waterproof, if water penetrates into the particleboard underneath, it could cause the melamine to warp. Another potential disadvantage comes from improper installation. While melamine is very sturdy, if not installed correctly, the particleboard substrate can sustain damage and cause the melamine to chip. Since melamine board edges are unfinished, melamine will require an edgebanding to cover the edges.

Uses of Melamine Board

Now the big question is, “What is melamine board used for?” Melamine board is often used in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry for its durability. It works well for shelving as well as display counters, office furniture, whiteboards, even flooring.

Because melamine can give otherwise lower-quality materials an attractive and durable finish, it’s become quite popular as a building material. When working with a budget, melamine board offers a great wallet-friendly solution to solid wood.