Laminate and Melamine

What are Laminate and Melamine?

Laminate and melamine are both robust, long-lasting construction materials made from resin-coated paper sheets. What differentiates them is the substrate that the material is adhered to and the manufacturing process. Melamine is a resin-coated colour or patterned paper. When melamine paper is bonded directly to a substrate such as particleboard or MDF, it is known as melamine board. Because melamine is made from either particleboard or MDF with a bonded melamine surface, it is able to be used in a multitude of applications. In contrast, laminate is a veneer with a thin resin backing. To make laminate boards, melamine paper is bonded to a resin backing which can then adhere to a variety of substrates depending on its intended use. Both materials offer nearly limitless design options with extensive selections of colours, textures and grains.

Laminate vs Melamine: Choosing the Right Material

When it comes to decorative panels, laminate is commonly used for exterior cabinet surfaces such as doors, table tops, and countertops where durability and visual impact are priorities. Laminate comes in three grades: general purpose for countertops, vertical surfacing for cabinetry or surfaces that don't sustain direct wear and tear, and post-forming laminate for curved or rolled applications. Whilst laminate costs more than melamine, it is more resistant to moisture, chemicals, heat and force. In comparison, melamine is a commodity product available in a range of colours and is commonly used for the structural construction of cabinets or furniture where the material is not seen, such as internal cabinetry, drawers and shelving. We offer laminate and melamine on various substrates including standard MDF, moisture resistant MDF, fire rated MDF, black MDF, HMR particleboard, and plywood. The moisture-resistant variety can be used in high moisture areas such as kitchens, laundries and bathrooms, while standard melamine is suitable for applications such as shop fitting.

Laminate and Melamine Melbourne & Australia Wide

The Bord Products advanced manufacturing facility in Melbourne produces quality laminate and melamine panels, and we continue to be one of the leading laminate and melamine sheet suppliers Melbourne has to offer. As one of the most efficient, volume producers in Australia, we exercise strict quality control on all of our products and produce an extensive range of custom sizes and thicknesses to suit almost any project-specific application. Our modern colour palette is inspired by the latest kitchen and design trends from around the globe, including solid colours, patterned finishes, wood grain designs, black liner, brushed aluminium, stainless steel, white liner, and white magnetic finishes. These products provide a durable, hygienic and low maintenance solution for vertical surface elements. For your project, whatever the size, speak to a member of our expert team.