Melamine Cabinets Vs. Plywood: Which Material Is Better?

It is one of the more difficult decisions homeowners have to make when it comes to their homes. While cabinets are rarely the centerpiece of a home, they can make or break the look of a kitchen, workshop, or pantry. There is considerably more to choosing the right cabinets than looks. And that is where the questions start.

When choosing between melamine cabinets versus plywood cabinets, homeowners should know that both are quality options. Melamine cabinets offer advantages like aesthetic options and water resistance. Plywood cabinets are popular because of benefits such as being a lighter product and its durability. Additionally, melamine reportedly has more customer complaints, while plywood is more susceptible to water damage.

The good news for those trying to decide on the best cabinets is that both melamine and plywood cabinets are good and popular options. Still, there are some distinct differences between melamine and plywood cabinets. Meaning choosing the right or best cabinetry for each homeowner will depend on their individual cabinetry needs.

Deciding which type of cabinet is the best option will ultimately come down to comparing the pros and cons of each. Those pros and cons enable homeowners to determine which, if either, is the best cabinet for their cabinetry needs. Are they going to be used as kitchen cabinets? Are they being used in the office room, the workshop in the basement, or the garage?

These are all considerations that will need weighing against the pros and cons. Then homeowners can make an informed and smart decision when deciding between melamine and plywood cabinets.

When comparing the difference between melamine and plywood, the cost advantage and one of the pros of melamine are its affordability. For an $11,000 set of plywood cabinets, homeowners can get melamine cabinets for nearly $1,500 to $2,000 less. For our math majors, that is roughly between 10 and 15 percent more. For those less academically gifted, the difference between melamine and plywood is about $10 a sheet.

That is also a consideration for a very small job or cabinet, as in, it may be much less of a consideration and price differential too. Although price is always important, it isn’t the only consideration or pro for considering using melamine.

In addition to edging out plywood in the price category, the aesthetic value of melamine is another big pro. This benefit of melamine is a result of the multitude of colors and finishes that melamine offers. Even its name, melamine, is due in part to its vast array of finishes and colors as it is otherwise also known as particle board.

Not only does the appearance of melamine offer a big pro in favor of this popular cabinet type, but it is also more damage-resistant. That means it is less prone to denting, scratching, or chipping.

Although there are several suggested reasons behind this con for choosing melamine, it still must be noted that it has a history of having customer complaints. Many suggest that homeowners and customers have often purchased cabinets thinking they were something other than melamine.

That also leads to another potential reason for the less than stellar reputation of melamine cabinets, because they are difficult to repair. The good news is that most people who make the intentional decision to use melamine are most often satisfied customers.

Although plywood is a stronger and more durable cabinet, it is also more prone to surface scarring due to its real wood facing. It can also be subject to aging if not properly treated. Many plywood cabinets are purchased in an unfinished state so they can be stained or painted.

Many homeowners choose to use plywood cabinetry for areas like the kitchen, but when it comes to moisture or water resistance, melamine is the better option. That means that those who may have cabinets in a basement or garage workshop may want to be sure areas aren’t inclined to high levels of moisture.

Cabinets are an essential part of almost every home. They provide storage and extra space. They can offer aesthetic appeal, and they are practical to have in many places around the home. Here are a few of the more frequently asked questions regarding cabinets.

The simple answer is not special, but you will want to use specific types of screws. Nails won’t hold when used to secure melamine cabinets as a result of lacking a solid base. Screws are always the best option and should be no smaller than size #8.

While these numbers can vary considerably based on many factors, such as the number of cabinets, size of cabinets, and material the average cost of cabinet replacement is around $6000.

Remember that those numbers will be influenced by the type of cabinet being installed. As we have already discussed, using melamine cabinets could save a few dollars. That, of course, might depend on how long you plan on keeping those cabinets too.

Most melamine cabinets have a type of surface laminate that must be dealt with before painting. It typically involves a light sanding process or the use of some type of deglossing product to prepare the cabinets for painting.

It should also be noted that painting melamine cabinets can be an involved process, and will require some knowledge beforehand. As with any painting project, especially when working indoors, be sure to provide plenty of ventilation and wear the necessary personal protective equipment.