Melamine Versus Plywood for Kitchen Cabinets

May. 13, 2024

Melamine Versus Plywood for Kitchen Cabinets

It's an apples-to-oranges comparison, but one that sets off a thoughtful exchange of views about workability and performance in this thread from the Cabinetmaking forum. June 28, 2005

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Question
We do kitchens euro style with melamine, and I was wondering if plywood has any advantages over melamine? I know that plywood is stronger, but melamine seems strong enough. If melamine is strong enough, why pay extra for plywood? I was also wondering if anyone had any ideas on what premium to charge for plywood.

Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From contributor O:
I agree that melamine is perfect for all types of cabinetry. You still get the same quality, and it is easier to clean and you don't have to worry about getting poor quality plywood. I've seen plywood (pre-finished and finished) warped, peeling apart, etc. But melamine always looks good, is straight, and comes in many colors. If you sell the right color, you can have melamine interiors that match your finish without all the extra labor.

Has anyone ever tried staining and spraying the interiors of an entire kitchen? I would think that in a high end kitchen, the interior should be the same quality and look the same as the exterior. Plus it's difficult to scratch melamine. I have nothing against plywood, and I use it for all the finished ends etc, or where I need it.

From contributor K:
I have a bunch of reasons why I don’t use melamine boards:

I have a bunch of reasons why I don’t use melamine boards:

1. The way it looks. When I show a perspective client a finished piece of plywood vs. a piece of melamine, 9 times out of 10, after looking at the depth of the wood, they are more inclined to warm to the VC finished plywood than the melamine.
2. It's heavy.
3. Does not hold a screw well (even confirmats). As an example, I disassembled a melamine kitchen recently (only a few years old), glued and stapled 3/4" material with only a hammer, and it only took 10-15 minutes to knock down about 12 cabinets. They literally fell apart with a couple of blows. It is also very easy to rip the doors and hinges off as well. There was one box in the group which must have been added later that was made of 1/2" ply, and had dadoed shelves. It took me about 3 minutes to turn that one cabinet into a stack of rubble (mostly because of the dadoed shelves).

4. It smells!
5. Chips easily when cutting if the blade is not sharp all the time.
6. Difficult to work with.
7. Have to edge-band it.
8. De-lamination issues.
9. Surface breaks when using screws (try and get it right the first time - otherwise it looks awful - even with the hole-tab).
10. Sub-materials degrade over time (joints loosen).
11. Hinges loosen easier over time (door sags).
12. Does not hold moldings well without glue or nailers.

4. It smells!5. Chips easily when cutting if the blade is not sharp all the time.6. Difficult to work with.7. Have to edge-band it.8. De-lamination issues.9. Surface breaks when using screws (try and get it right the first time - otherwise it looks awful - even with the hole-tab).10. Sub-materials degrade over time (joints loosen).11. Hinges loosen easier over time (door sags).12. Does not hold moldings well without glue or nailers.

I am not totally against melamine. I actually love the material, just not the sub-materials. I do use it, but only when I absolutely must.

Now to be fair, the reasons I love melamine:

1. Easy to disassemble.
2. Makes great platforms for glue-up tables.
3. Cheap (both ways).
4. Easy to clean (although this is not generally a major issue in most cabinets where clean dishes are going into).

I guess if melamine could be produced to be light, non-smelly, chip-resistant, and able to hold a screw, I would be more open-minded about it. But the easy-clean argument isn’t enough for me.

From contributor M:
We build frameless melamine boxes with plywood exposed ends finished interiors. The melamine has a natural maple finish to it. I have two displays across from each other, so when the customer asks what the difference is, I show them both and let them decide. 99% go with the melamine. We will build all plywood boxes but I have to charge more for the material, and there is more waste on defects. I can't recall having to replacing a box due to bad melamine though.

From contributor O:
I'm typically as hard headed when it comes to materials. If a customer asks me to build them a beautiful maple kitchen, but they want white interiors because it is what they have currently and like it, I'm not going to tell them all the reasons why I don’t want to use it. I will simply save the money and give them what they want. I've built frameless kitchens out of melamine and I've built frameless kitchens using pre-finished maple.

We build frameless melamine boxes with plywood exposed ends finished interiors. The melamine has a natural maple finish to it. I have two displays across from each other, so when the customer asks what the difference is, I show them both and let them decide. 99% go with the melamine. We will build all plywood boxes but I have to charge more for the material, and there is more waste on defects. I can't recall having to replacing a box due to bad melamine though.I'm typically as hard headed when it comes to materials. If a customer asks me to build them a beautiful maple kitchen, but they want white interiors because it is what they have currently and like it, I'm not going to tell them all the reasons why I don’t want to use it. I will simply save the money and give them what they want. I've built frameless kitchens out of melamine and I've built frameless kitchens using pre-finished maple.

The reality of this whole situation is that each of the materials - melamine and plywood, both have their ups and downs. Like Contributor K said, melamine is weak, chips easy when cut, and holds screws poorly. Plywood, however, is hard to get in perfect - it’s straight, has defect free sheets, and has have a tendency to peel. They also chip on the bottom if you don't have a sharp blade. And no matter what, you have to put some kind of finish on them, whether it's paint or finish.

For more information, please visit Melamine plywood weight.

Additional resources:
Plywood Versus Solid Wood for Recessed Panel Cabinet ...
From contributor G:
I've been using shop grade birch or maple for paint grade cabinets, but to get a really smooth finish, it takes a lot of primer and too much sanding. It’s really too much work. On stain grade, I've been using mdf core veneer, which looks great, but is incredibly heavy. It's been a while since I used anything else for stain grade.
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I've been using shop grade birch or maple for paint grade cabinets, but to get a really smooth finish, it takes a lot of primer and too much sanding. It’s really too much work. On stain grade, I've been using mdf core veneer, which looks great, but is incredibly heavy. It's been a while since I used anything else for stain grade.

Sometimes for panels, I've just sanded the melamine and painted over that. That produces a really smooth finish, and so far (knock on wood) it hasn't failed yet. The last cabinets I did were shop birch import, painted white then antiqued. The customer complained that you could see a bit of grain showing through. So it didn't look plastic enough, I guess, because I didn't fill the grain. This was a display cabinet and it was pretty wide, so I used plywood for strength and to finish it inside and out.

Melamine vs. Plywood Cabinet Construction - Kitchen Remodel

If you have begun the process of remodeling your kitchen, you are probably facing the decision between melamine or plywood kitchen cabinets.

It is rare for cabinets to be constructed entirely from solid wood these days, and manufactured wood products are often used to build the cabinet boxes. There are great reasons for using plywood or melamine rather than solid wood, and each material also has its own perks. Here is a primer on why these products are used, and the pros and cons you will want to consider as you decide which material is right for your kitchen cabinets.

Why Use Manufactured Wood Products

You may be wondering why cabinetmakers do not often use solid wood when constructing cabinets. One main reason is that solid wood expands and contracts and can experience cracking, bowing, sagging, or warping. Manufactured wood products offer a more stable, uniform material. The cost difference is another consideration, as premium quality wood costs more than a manufactured product like melamine or plywood. In many cases, using solid wood simply is not an affordable option.

Another factor is that the cabinet boxes are largely unseen; using beautifully grained wood on the cabinet doors will look just as high end and custom as a solid construction. Finally, for cabinets that are a solid color, such as white or the popular putty, blues, or greens of today’s kitchen designs, wood grain will not show. In fact, the manufactured wood products like melamine may be preferable in these cases, as they provide a completely smooth surface free from knots or other imperfections.

The Pros and Cons of Melamine or Plywood Cabinet Construction

Both melamine and plywood are manufactured wood products, each created through a slightly different process. Melamine is particleboard or small pieces of wood glued and pressed together, covered with a plasticized coating. By contrast, plywood is made from thin sheets of wood, layered and glued together. The sheets are usually laid perpendicular to each other to increase the strength of the finished product and to help resist splitting. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the features of each product:

Melamine

- Pros
  - Melamine is the same resin used in Formica and other laminated countertops. It offers a smooth, easy to clean finish that is ready to use without much construction waste or need to paint or stain.
  - The particleboard can be made from sustainably-grown wood and is glued together with moisture-resistant products. This makes it a cost-effective product with little waste.
  - Cutting melamine is easily done with the right equipment. Using a saw with a scoring unit and CNC routers helps to prevent chipping. Supporting the material while cutting is also important to prevent breaking.
  - Melamine offers a smooth, uniform surface that is very durable, moisture resistant, and easy to clean.
  - The lack of wood grain is actually preferred by many people who want solid colored cabinets, and melamine can come prefinished in a variety of colors.
- Cons
  - Under pressure, melamine can crack or break, but it will not split.
  - The glues used in the construction of melamine boards can emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. However, for these products to be sold in the United States, they must be correctly labeled and adhere to EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) safety standards for emissions.
  - Due to the composite nature of the material, traditional melamine can be quite dense and heavy.

Plywood

- Pros
  - Plywood can be an easier material to work with than melamine-encased boards. Since the material is less dense, it is both easier to cut and assemble plywood cabinet boxes with standard tools, screws, and nails.
  - Cabinets constructed from plywood are lighter, making them a great option for upper cabinets.
  - Plywood still offers the look of natural wood grain since it is made from layered sheets of wood.
- Cons
  - Plywood can have knot holes, rough surfaces, or other defects that require finishing.
  - In order to match the direction of the grain in plywood, more material must be used, and there can be more waste when building cabinets.
  - Generally, plywood is more expensive than melamine.

Mountain States Kitchen and Bath Can Help You Choose the Right Product

In the end, the choice often comes down to preference. As the consumer, the right product will meet your desired results and requirements. Both melamine and plywood are cost-effective, durable products that will provide quality construction. Depending on the look you want for your kitchen cabinets and the overall design of your kitchen, one may be a better choice over the other.

Fortunately, Mountain States Kitchen and Bath has both experienced designers and cabinet makers that will help guide you through the process of designing your dream kitchen and making the choice between melamine or plywood cabinets. Our locally-owned Utah company offers complimentary consultations. Contact us today to schedule a meeting and get your custom cabinet project underway! We serve Lehi, Utah, and the surrounding area.