Melamines have come a long way in the past 20 years. Today melamines are one of the fastest growing finish categories in the cabinet space. In this blog we will explore each of the five primary reasons melamines are expanding:
- Affordability
- Durability
- Finish Integrity
- Cleanliness
- Sustainability
Affordability
Melamines are usually less expensive than painted or stained doors. There are different types of melamines. They can be anywhere from 5-15% less expensive than traditional paint or stain. When the additional benefits below are added, the true value is even greater.
Durability
Choosing melamines means your doors will last longer than wood. They are more resistant to heat, scratches, shattering, water damage and warping. Wood is an organic material that absorbs and releases moisture. As Gene Wengert outlines in this post, warp occurs because the moisture content changes. Moisture changes because the relative humidity changes. This is why in the winter often wood components such as center panels with shrink exposing areas not stained or painted. Melamine finishes better protect the doors from these variations in moisture. This same finish does not scratch as easily or is as susceptible to water damage.
Finish Integrity
We love wood for its natural beauty. However, any paint or stain on a wood cabinet door will change over time. Melamine doors will not fade like paint and stain do naturally. Another advantage to melamine is that the finishes provide a uniform appearance without the grain variations of natural wood. Some melamine imitate natural wood so well that it is difficult to tell the difference.
Cleanliness
Melamine doors are generally stain-resistant and easier to clean. There are less pockets for bacteria to build up. Several melamines have anti-microbial benefits built into the finish. This treatment creates a protective barrier on the surface reducing the spread of microorganisms harmful to human health.
Sustainability
Engineered wood cores are better than carbon neutral as more carbon is sequestered than expended during manufacturing. Using these materials can open LEED opportunities. Steelcase, the office furniture manufacturer, outlines how their melamine products contribute to LEED initiatives. Uniboard provides the five LEED points that can be garnered with melamines.
Types of Melamines
Melamines have three categories:
- Textured – Replicates wood grains such as white oak and walnut in trending stains, but do not have the issues and inconsistencies of wood. Textured melamines are much more durable than some of the hardest woods.
- Supermatte – Replicates paints, but with much greater durability. Supermattes will not fade over time like paints do. Supermattes come in the traditional paint colors, such as white, but also trending colors such as sage.
- High Gloss – This is the most contemporary look. These melamines have a high sheen, but low scratch resistance. Like textured and supernates, they will not fade over time. And, they generally have anti-microbial properties.
Textured – Stain Replication on various natural wood grain patterns
Supermatte – Paint Replication
Textured melamine replicating a dark walnut stain with white supermatte for a perfect paint-like finish
Bishop’s Modern Materials Program
Bishop Cabinets offers beautiful melamine finishes through its Modern Materials Program. The program offers:
- 3 types of finishes – textured, supermatte, high gloss.
- 3 door types – slab, 5-piece and finger-pull.
- 22 stock melamine finishes in textured (11), supermatte (7) and high gloss (4).
- Custom melamine program, if the 22 stocked finishes do not fit the homeowner’s needs.
Finishes
Textured
Door Styles
Supermatte
High Gloss
Slab
5-piece Shaker
Finger-Pull (Grain always horizontal)
5-piece shaker door style in Muratti 4 Textured and Picasso 1 Textured
About Bishop Cabinets
Bishop has been manufacturing cabinets for over 60 years. Click here to learn more about our capabilities and latest offerings that align with the latest trends in cabinet finishes.
Our Vision Statement
“To create beautiful and functional cabinets through innovation, growth, and a commitment to keep family values at the core of everything we do.”