FreeMelamine Board (MFC): Sizes, Colours and Uses
Melamine board (MFC), sold as melamine sheets or melamine panels, is particleboard with a hard decorative paper face fused on both sides. It needs no painting, is easy to clean and comes in plain colours and wood looks. The common European size is 2800 × 2070 mm in 18 mm.
Melamine board sold for furniture
| Board | Thicknesses | Common sheet sizes |
|---|---|---|
| White melamine | 8 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, 25 mm | 2800 × 2070, 2750 × 1830, 2440 × 1220, 4×8 ft |
| Oak melamine (wood grain) | 16 mm, 18 mm | 2800 × 2070, 2750 × 1830 |
| Walnut melamine (wood grain) | 18 mm | 2800 × 2070 |
| Light grey melamine | 18 mm | 2800 × 2070 |
| Anthracite melamine | 18 mm | 2800 × 2070 |
| Black melamine | 18 mm | 2800 × 2070 |
| Cashmere melamine | 18 mm | 2800 × 2070 |
Melamine board thicknesses
Melamine board is sold in 8 mm (5/16"), 16 mm (5/8"), 18 mm (11/16"), 25 mm (1"). For furniture carcasses and doors, 16–19 mm is standard; thin sheets are for backs and drawer bottoms.
Melamine board sheet sizes
- 2800 × 2070 mm (110 1/4" × 81 1/2")
- 2750 × 1830 mm (108 1/4" × 72 1/16")
- 2440 × 1220 mm (96 1/16" × 48 1/16")
- 4×8 ft (2438 × 1219 mm)
Weight of a 2440 × 1220 mm sheet
At a typical density of 630–700 kg/m³:
| Thickness | Weight per sheet |
|---|---|
| 8 mm | 15–17 kg (33–37 lb) |
| 16 mm | 30–33 kg (66–73 lb) |
| 18 mm | 34–38 kg (75–84 lb) |
| 25 mm | 47–52 kg (104–115 lb) |
Advantages
- Ready finished: no painting or varnish
- Hard-wearing, easy to clean surface
- Large choice of colours and wood decors
- Low cost per square metre
Drawbacks
- Chips when cut with the wrong blade
- Every visible edge needs edge banding
- The chipboard core swells with water
- Cannot be sanded or refinished
What it is used for
- Kitchen and bathroom carcasses
- Wardrobes and closet systems
- Office furniture
- Shelving
Tips for working with Melamine board
- Cut with a scoring blade or a fine-tooth, triple-chip blade.
- Put masking tape on the cut line to limit chipping with hand-held saws.
- Plan edge banding before cutting: mark the banded edges on each part.
Frequently asked questions
Is melamine waterproof?
The face resists water, but the core does not: seal every edge with banding, especially around sinks.
What is the difference between melamine and laminate?
Melamine is a thin resin paper pressed onto the board; laminate (HPL) is a thicker, tougher layer glued on.
Furniture plans to build
All plans →
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