Long criticized, melamine is attracting keen interest. It is a material that is increasingly used in our interiors and manufacturers have been offering a very wide range of appearances and colors for several years. Discover this material with multiple finishes...
Melamine, a multifaceted material
Melamine wood: Definition
Melamine generally uses chipboard or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) as a support. This panel covered with a decorative sheet of paper coated with iron-on resin - called melamine formaldehyde (FM) - is hot pressed. Melamine is worked and glued to the edge with iron-on melamine edges, PVC, polypropylene or wood veneer.
Glued wood particles
Melamine or laminate, which to choose?
The laminate is made by superimposing 8 to 10 layers of Kraft paper coated with thermosetting resins, on which a sheet of decorative paper covered with a layer of protective resin called “overlay” is placed. This assembly is passed under high pressure at high temperature in order to allow the polycondensation of the resins.
The laminate has a thickness of approximately 0.7 mm. It is very strong and resists abrasion and high temperatures. It can be installed on different materials such as plywood, fiberboard or solid wood.
Melamine and laminate are materials that offer a good resistance-price ratio and plenty of decorations. Melamine is cheaper than laminate. But its resistance is lower, particularly to scratches, abrasion and heat. It cannot therefore be used as a work surface.
Is one preferable to the other? It is above all a question of quality, because good melamine is better than bad laminate, and vice versa. However, a good laminate resists heat, abrasion, scratches and stains better than a good melamine. But it costs more.
Melamine color chart
If you opt for melamine wood, don't forget to choose the right color for your interior!
The advantages of melamine wood
Melamine has a smooth surface suitable for all types of uses. It fits perfectly into daily handling. It is frequently used by furniture manufacturers as an alternative to solid wood for its rigidity, lightness and smooth appearance that withstands any type of cleaning product. Melamine is therefore easy to maintain: a soft cloth, sponge or microfiber fabric does the trick. Compared to untreated raw wood and solid wood, melamine does not stain. However, it is necessary to avoid any abrasive or stripping material.
Melamine is one of the materials mainly used in the manufacture of furniture because it offers an attractive quality/price ratio. It is indeed very solid and has great resistance.Be careful, however, that low-end melamine may not offer all of these advantages.
Wood laminated melamine panel
Good to know: Materials based on reconstituted wood panels have the disadvantage of emitting formaldehyde, an odorless polluting substance contained in certain glues. Since the identification of this problem, manufacturers have worked to reduce this rate, in particular through the use of so-called PBTF panels. In Germany, the signs already do not have them.
Uses of melamine in furniture
A material in progress
Long considered simplistic, this material now offers a wide range of styles, colors and decors. In its standard version, it has a smooth appearance. But in recent years it has experienced great development in terms of its finishes. There are notably glossy versions like lacquer or even textured with a 3D appearance which imitates the veins of wood or the weaving of a fabric. Melamines are commonly offered in matt, glossy or satin, smooth or structured, plain or decorative. Some are even covered with ceramic trays.
Melamine often reassures customers. They suspect that solid wood will not be suitable for certain types of products such as modular furniture which need to have wood that is easily processed, light and resistant to frequent handling.
Modular tables in melamine wood
To go further, discover numerous modular tables in melamine and other finishes!
Melamine throughout the house
Dedicated in particular to furnishing, melamine is used to create storage shelves inside cupboards, window shelves, flat-pack furniture and, above all, kitchens. It is used in this field both in facades and in boxes.
It is also found in console tables, extendable lift tables or in bed cabinets . These pieces of furniture are entirely made of melamine because they are intended to be handled every day. The wood would be much too heavy. Wall-mounted kitchen cupboards are made from melamine for the same reason.
The use of melamine in the manufacture of furniture allows you to obtain a wood appearance that is not fragile and easily usable on a daily basis. For example, in extendable lift tables made of melamine wood tops, these portfolio tops are destined to be folded and re-folded frequently to save space in a room. In this context, melamine is appreciated for its lightness, handling and resistance.
Melamine-faced wood bed cabinet
