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 Panels

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 sheets are 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.