Melamine shelving refers to shelves made from melamine-coated particleboard or MDF (medium density fiberboard). Melamine is a hard plastic material added as a coating to wood products like particleboard and MDF through a process called lamination. This gives the finished product a smooth, durable surface that resists scratches, stains and water.
Melamine shelving is a popular choice for closets, pantries, laundry rooms, garages, basements and other utility spaces in homes. It’s appreciated for being affordable, easy to clean and more resistant to wear and tear than natural wood shelves. Here’s a closer look at what melamine shelving is and what makes it a practical shelving solution for many household storage needs.
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What is melamine?
Melamine is a synthetic material made from melamine resin, which is a plastic derived from the amino acid melamine. Melamine resin is formed into sheets through heat and pressure, creating a durable plastic that can be bonded onto substrates like particleboard.
When the melamine sheets are fused onto particleboard or MDF through high heat and pressure, this plastic laminate coating makes the shelving water resistant and highly scratch and stain resistant. The finished product has a hard, smooth surface similar to laminate countertops.
While melamine shelving has a plastic coating, it’s still considered a type of wood shelving due to its particleboard or MDF substrate. The wood composite provides strength and structure, while the melamine gives it a durable, protective finish.
Benefits of melamine shelves
Here are some of the reasons melamine shelving is a popular choice for household storage:
Affordable
Melamine shelving is very budget-friendly compared to natural solid wood shelves. Since it’s made from wood composite materials rather than solid lumber, it costs significantly less than wood shelves. The melamine coating provides the look and feel of a more premium material without the high price tag.
Durable and stain/scratch resistant
The melamine laminate creates a highly durable and protective surface. It does not easily scratch, dent or stain like bare particleboard does. This makes it great for high-traffic areas and family spaces where shelves get a lot of use. The shelves won’t show as much wear and tear over time.
Moisture resistant
The melamine coating also makes the shelves more resistant to minor water exposure and spills. While prolonged exposure can still damage them, incidental contact with water won’t easily warp melamine shelves like it can with wood.
Easy to clean
Spills and messes wipe right off the nonporous surface of melamine shelves. All it takes is a quick pass with a damp cloth. This prevents stains from setting in and makes cleaning much simpler compared to unfinished wood.
Wide range of colors
Melamine shelving comes in a vast array of colors and patterns beyond natural wood tones. From bright white to bold colors to faux woodgrain, there are many options to match your decor. The colors permeate the entire thickness of the shelf for a durable finish.
Types of melamine shelves
There are a few main types of melamine shelving to choose from:
Stock melamine shelves
Stock melamine shelving comes in standard widths and lengths. These are the most affordable option, like these common widths:
– 10 inches deep
– 12 inches deep
– 16 inches deep
– 18 inches deep
– 24 inches deep
They are sold in 4 foot, 8 foot and sometimes 10 foot lengths. This is the most economical type you’ll find at home improvement stores. Stock shelves are quick and easy to install.
Custom melamine shelves
For a more custom look, many retailers offer made-to-order melamine shelves cut to your exact dimensions. This allows you to customize the depth, length, shape and finish. Custom sizing ensures perfect fitment for your space.
| Shelf Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Shelves | – Affordable price – Convenient standard sizes – Easy installation |
– Limited size options – May require filling gaps – Less customized look |
| Custom Shelves | – Perfectly fit your space – Fully customized sizes – Integrated look |
– Higher price – Longer lead times – Professional installation often required |
Ready-to-assemble melamine shelving
Another option is ready-to-assemble melamine shelving. These come in a pack with all the materials and hardware needed to put together a shelving unit sized to your specifications. This allows flexible width, height and depth customization without the higher price of full custom fabrication.
Melamine shelf edges
Melamine shelving comes with different edge treatments:
Square edge
Square edge is the most affordable and common edge style. The shelf simply has a flat, 90-degree angle along the front and sides. The melamine coating wraps around the edge for durability. Exposed particleboard may be visible from underneath depending on thickness.
Bullnose edge
A bullnose edge has a rounded front corner edge profile. This gives the shelf a smoother, more refined look.
Finished edge
A finished edge has a thin strip of PVC or acrylic that covers the melamine edge with a clean, seamless look. This gives the shelf the appearance of a solid slab without exposed particleboard. It has a subtle radius along the front edge.
Melamine shelf thickness
Melamine shelving comes in a range of thicknesses from half-inch to one inch:
– 0.5 inch (thinnest and least expensive option)
– 0.75 inch (most popular standard thickness)
– 1 inch (heaviest duty thickness for maximum durability and strength)
The thickness affects the strength and weight capacity of the shelf. 3/4 inch provides a good balance of strength and affordability for most applications. Go with 1 inch thick shelves for heavy duty storage needs.
Installation
Installing melamine shelving is a relatively straightforward DIY project, though professional installation is also an option. Here are a few tips:
Materials
– Tape measure
– Level
– Stud finder
– Drill/driver
– Wall anchors or screws
Steps
1. Locate and mark studs using a stud finder. Shelves should always be secured into studs for strength and stability.
2. Mark level lines along the wall at the desired height for each shelf bracket or standard.
3. Drill pilot holes into the studs, either centered for standards or spaced evenly for individual brackets.
4. Insert wall anchors or screws into the pilot holes. For added strength, construction adhesive can also be applied along with fasteners.
5. Attach standards or shelf brackets by screwing them directly into the wall anchors/screws.
6. Set melamine shelves onto the brackets or standards, ensuring they are level and evenly supported at both ends.
Maintenance
Melamine shelves are pretty low maintenance, but here are some tips for keeping them looking their best:
– Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe up spills quickly to prevent stains.
– For cleaning, use a mild soap and water solution. Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive pads.
– Inspect shelves periodically for any damage or loosening of supports. Tighten hardware as needed.
– Take care not to overload shelves and evenly distribute weight to prevent sagging.
– Avoid exposing melamine shelves to excessive moisture that can cause swelling.
– Consider applying paste wax 1-2 times per year to add protection to the melamine coating.
Conclusion
Melamine shelving provides an affordable, low-maintenance storage solution that stands up well to everyday wear and tear. The scratch and stain-resistant melamine coating gives particleboard and MDF shelves added durability with an attractive, easy-to-clean finish. With simple DIY installation and wide size/color options, melamine offers homeowners flexible, customizable shelving possibilities for any room. Taking steps to properly care for and maintain melamine shelves will keep them looking fresh and enable them to serve your storage needs for years to come.