Melamine

Melamine-faced panels are particleboard or MDF sheets with a thermally fused melamine surface, available at Windsor Plywood in white, almond, and wood-grain prints. The hard, smooth melamine surface is cleanable, scratch-resistant, and ready to use without additional finishing. Melamine panels are the standard material for cabinet box interiors, closet shelving, and furniture carcasses.

Features

• Thermally fused melamine surface -- hard, smooth, and easy to clean
• No additional finishing required -- surface is ready to use
• Available in white, almond, and wood-grain prints
• Standard material for cabinet box interiors and closet shelving
• Consistent thickness and square edges for cabinetry applications
• PVC or ABS edge banding available to finish exposed edges

Specifications

Common Uses

Melamine panels are used for kitchen and bathroom cabinet box construction, closet shelving systems, laundry room shelving, retail display fixtures, and furniture carcasses where a finished, cleanable interior surface is required at a lower cost than solid hardwood or plywood.

Pro Tips

• Apply PVC or ABS edge banding to all exposed edges -- melamine panels have raw particleboard or MDF edges that are not water-resistant and must be covered in cabinetry applications.
• Use a sharp carbide blade when cutting melamine to minimize chipping -- a fine-tooth melamine blade (80-tooth or higher) produces clean cuts.
• Pre-drill pilot holes before driving screws into melamine panels -- the particleboard core splits easily near the edges if screws are driven without pre-drilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between melamine and laminate?
Melamine (TFL) has a thin decorative paper fused directly to the substrate under heat and pressure. High-pressure laminate (HPL) is a thicker, harder decorative panel bonded to the substrate with adhesive. HPL is more durable but significantly more expensive. Melamine is standard for cabinet interiors; HPL is used for countertops and high-wear work surfaces.

Can melamine panels get wet?
The melamine surface is water-resistant but the particleboard or MDF core is not. Exposed edges and drilled holes absorb moisture quickly. Always apply edge banding to exposed edges and use moisture-resistant melamine (HMR core) in kitchens and bathrooms.