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Melamine wooden panels are type of wooden boards prepared by treating them through various processes and melamine laminated panels are prepared. These have extensive usage in the construction business particularly in cabinetry and furniture making.
This is a kind of manufactured wood, composite prepared by bonding several wood veneers together, one of which is prepared by layering its thin sheets and rotating its grains in a particular manner, and sticking them using glue, resin, or synthetic polymer cement. Its main advantage is that it possesses homogenous strength and does not twist, curve, or change dimension with time. Common uses of plywood include furniture, interior decor, and construction and its edges are laminated with melamine for smoothness.
Particleboard is another kind of composite wood which is prepared by bonding small particles of wood or wood shavings together using adhesive resins and heat forming a solid board. Melamine boards are prepared by giving a melamine surface to these particle boards enhancing their appearance to a large extent. They are widely appreciated because of their utility and low price in the furniture industry.
MDF is another engineered wood as in this wood fibers are used instead of veneer or particle to prepare this wood, the fibers are interlaced and bonded together by exposing them to heat, pressure, and synthetic resin glue. Melamine Faced Boards or MDPs have MDF core and are laminated with melamine layer. These boards are good for cabinetry, furniture, and other interior works for they have smooth surfaces quite appropriate for painting and veneering.
HDF, as its name suggests, is a high-density variant of MDF. It is made the same way MDF is made by using wood fibers, but subjects them to more pressure thus forming a denser and harder board than MDF. This gives it greater strength and durability which make it fit for heavy-duty furniture and interior works.
This is a process in which thin slices of natural wood, known as veneer, are glued onto a core material usually MDF or plywood, to prepare a panel which is M range of natural appearance and feel but synthetic wood laminate costs lower than wood. It is mostly used to make countertops, cabinetry, and other furniture stuff.
The following factors have to be kept in mind while choosing melamine wooden panels:
Type of panel
Melamine wooden panels are available in various substrates or bases like plywood, particleboard, MDF, or HDF as discussed above. Each of these types has its own characteristics like strength and ease of maintenance which make them suitable for the clients’ needs.
Thickness
These panels are made in various thicknesses ranging from millimetres to several millimetres. The choice of thickness depends on the intended use. Common thicknesses are laminated chipboard of 15 mm and 18 mm. The thicker the panel, the stronger it is, and the more load-bearing capacity it possesses. In addition, the finish will also be better for thicker panels.
Surface finish
Melamine panels come in various surfaces, glossy, textured, or matte. A rough surface will give a better grip and a more elegant look to the furniture and disguise fingerprints and smudges better than others, but they are more difficult to clean. High gloss will enhance the space drastically by reflecting light and making the area appear larger than it is and will not hinder cleaning. Textured surfaces give the panel a feel closest to natural wood.
Color and Design
Melamine panels are available in a great variety of colors and decors. These range from solid colors to replica of natural wood grains and other complex patterns. One should choose according to the project requirements and personal liking and disliking for these will determine how aesthetically appealing the end product is.
Durability
Durability of melamine panels depends upon the substrate used and the quality of melamine adhesive laminated on top of the substrate. Higher quality panels will be resistant to scratches, dents, water, and heat. One should also look for the quality rating of melamine faced particle board which indicates its suitability for specific applications.
Environmental considerations
This is particularly important if the project requires its implementation in schools, hospitals, and other public places because of emissions of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds from some types of composite panels. There are eco-friendly melamine panels available in the market which use low-formaldehyde adhesives or are free of this compound.
Melamine panels are widely used and applicable across many fields owing to their easy availability and versatile properties. The following list completely establishes how true this is:
Furniture Manufacturing
Melamine panels are very popularly used in the furniture industry to prepare cabinets, tables, shelves, and other articles because of their dimensional stability and easy maintenance. They come in a variety of colors and textures making the manufacturers able to provide a wide wooden appearance without much cost to the customer.
Interior Design
Interior designers use melamine panels for wall cladding, false ceilings, and decorative elements because of their modern looks and efficient pricing. In interior decoration work, these panels give a clean look and are easy to maintain and do not require as much effort as real wood is needed to maintain.
Retail Displays
Retail businesses also employ melamine panels to prepare display units, shelving, and racks due to their availability in multiple appealing finishes. This work allows creativity in designing the retail space, thus enhancing customer experience without spending hefty prices.
Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets
Melamine panels find extensive application in kitchen and baths cabinets because of their water resistance and ease of cleaning. These properties are so desirable in areas of increased moisture and need frequent cleaning that they are almost mandatory for use here.
Office Partitions and Desks
In commercial spaces, melamine panels are used for making partitions, workstations, and storage solutions. Their affordability makes them an excellent choice for fit-outs and designing office interiors, especially for temporary or modular spaces.
Modular and Pre-Fabricated Structures
Melamine panels are also used in modular construction and prefabricated furniture for the same reason of easy availability in multiple finishes. These systems which are built off-site and then installed, demand materials that are lightweight, easy to handle, and aesthetically pleasing, all of which melamine panels are.
The following is a list of some key specifications and maintenance tips of melamine panels:
Standard Thicknesses
Melamine panels are usually available in thicknesses of 15 mm, 18 mm, and 25 mm though other sizes are also available per requirement. The most commonly used thickness is 18 mm which is used in furniture and interior applications mostly because it strikes the right balance between sturdiness and easy handling.
Edge Banding
Edge banding is the process of putting melamine or any other laminate on the exposed edges of the panel to improve its aesthetics and avoid moisture penetration. Usually, these are made with PVC, ABS edging, or melamine itself in thicknesses ranging from millimeters to millimeters in different colors and textures to match or contrast the face of the panel.
Surface finishes
Melamine panels come in a variety of surface finishes from high gloss and textured to matte and sheer. These finishes affect the appearance and feel of the panel by enhancing or diminishing the wood like appearance of the panel. Glossy finishes are easy to clean and maintain but tend to show fingerprints more than others whereas textured and matte finishes are more subtle and need regular maintenance.
Resistance properties
Melamine panels are mostly water, heat, and scratch resistant, therefore, making them fit for areas of high traffic. They are suitable for kitchen and bath cabinetry due to moisture resistance properties and are easy to clean for they possess scratch resistant surfaces. Nonetheless, it is wise to avoid exposure to direct heat or long contact with hot objects as this may damage the panel.
Maintenance tips
Melamine panels are easy to maintain. Only a damp cloth with mild soapy water should be used for normal cleaning. Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners should not be used as they degrade the surface finish.
Avoid heat and sharp objects.
Direct exposure of melamine wood panels to heat sources such as stoves, fireplaces, or direct sunlight should be avoided because they may warp, discolor, or lose their finish in the long run. It is also advisable to use trivets, mats, or cloth under hot items to avoid scorching the surface apart from a sharp object because it may leave permanent dent or indentation on the style of the panel.
A1: Melamine panels are composite panels made by fusing paper-derivative sheets with synthetic resin melamine under heat and pressure. The resultant product is a durable panel that is affordable and has multiple design options available.
A2: Melamine panels are water-resistant, which means they will not absorb water easily. If placed in an area with extreme levels of humidity, water could penetrate through their edges, which are exposed and not laminated.
A3: The kitchen's location should be taken into consideration before selecting the panel. If the temperature is too hot or humid, choose thicker melamine panels with HDF core for more stability, and lighter colors as they will not absorb heat as dark colors do.
A4: To care for the melamine panels, avoid harsh detergents and sharp cleaning tools. Use a microfibre cloth, lukewarm water and mild soap to clean them, and buff the surface with the microfibre cloth to avoid moisture sitting on the surface.