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Melamine Kitchen Cabinets

Remember Melmac dishes and Formica countertops? If so, you'll get a good sense of melamine, a resin material that's resistant to moisture, scratches, chemicals and flame; all qualities that have made it a very practical choice in kitchens since the mid 20th century. Today it's often used in kitchen cabinets, applied as a tough covering over a substrate of particle board, MDF (medium density fiberboard) or other engineered wood products. It's offered by many manufacturers on cabinets across a wide range of price points, from the low-end ready-to-assemble to high-end custom.

Melamine is a mainstay of frameless cabinets and is often used for interior surfaces as well as exterior. It's an attractive option for its smooth, uniform color and texture, and is most often seen in modern, Euro-style or '50s retro kitchens, although some vendors offer it in white or ivory in more traditional styles. Some manufacturers also offer it in faux wood grain. And, if you get tired of the color down the line, melamine can be painted.

Aesthetically, the big decision with melamine is simply whether you like the look or not. Practically, it can be a big win, especially if you have small children, because it's tough and easy to clean (though it can be chipped).

The caveats with melamine come not from the material itself but the substrate to which it's bonded. Particle board and fiberboard consist essentially of sawdust and glue, and while some products are stronger than others, the material is prone to sagging if not adequately supported. This can be an issue on shelves loaded with heavy dishes, pots and pans, or canned goods. Another hidden issue with particle board and fiberboard is that they tend not to hold screws as well as wood or plywood, which may lead to loose hinges and drawer pulls that are a hassle to fix (not to mention sagging shelves pulling loose from the cabinet itself). If you like the look of melamine cabinets but anticipate that they'll be carrying a heavy load year in and year out, have a candid chat with your building professional to make sure your chosen cabinets are up to the task.

Likewise, while well-designed, well-built cabinets don't allow moisture to seep into the base material, chips in the melamine laminate can make the underlying particle board and fiberboard vulnerable to swelling and warping if they do get wet, thereby shortening the cabinet's life. Again, be sure to discuss this issue with your building professional, who can give you a good perspective on whether it's likely to be a problem in your situation, and what solutions might be available.