Thread: MR Melamine lining in the long term

I wouldn't bet on it staying dust free. Melamine is organic so has some sort of static properties, so it seems to attract really fine dust and if anything it looks worse than dust on ply.

Humidity shouldn't worry it as its used in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries etc which would normally be more humid than a workshop.

Have you considered yellow tongue flooring? It is cheaper than melamine, much tougher than the chipboard core of melamine and strong enough that you can hang things directly from the cladding.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Have you considered yellow tongue flooring? It is cheaper than melamine, much tougher than the chipboard core of melamine and strong enough that you can hang things directly from the cladding.

Also treated against termites. If you do use this, lay horizontal and start with the yellow tongue on the floor that way no water or other liquids will wick into the edge, the sheet will be 10mm off the floor
Run an arris off the joining edges as you go up the wall, makes for a very neat finish

Originally Posted by BobL

I wouldn't bet on it staying dust free. Melamine is organic so has some sort of static properties, so it seems to attract really fine dust and if anything it looks worse than dust on ply.

Humidity shouldn't worry it as its used in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries etc which would normally be more humid than a workshop.

You make a good point about the semi static properties but is this is a big issue?

I have found that melamine in bathrooms definitely has a limited life.

Perhaps I am overthinking this. It is a workshop panel so it would have to get fairly bad before it was a real problem. As long as it lasts a few years I can always unscrew it and replace panels as needed.

Thanks for the suggestions of yellow tongue. I had not considered it due to the weight. However now I realise I haven't properly compared the weight with melamine.
I think I would erect it 'portrait' orientation. This means I could not use the tongue to lift it off the floor. Shame because I liked that idea. However there is probably some other way to achieve this.
If I used yellow tongue or ply, I think I would like to paint it. So that adds a little to the cost.

Originally Posted by DaveVman

Thanks for the suggestions of yellow tongue. ...
I think I would erect it 'portrait' orientation. This means I could not use the tongue to lift it off the floor. ...

We used yellow tongue in "landscape" mode largely because the studs ran vertical. We put 10mm stickers (temporary) under the bottom row - with the tongues facing upwards. Second row just locked onto the first, and so on. Quite a quick job.

Rolling two coats of paint was also real quick.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

We used yellow tongue in "landscape" mode largely because the studs ran vertical. We put 10mm stickers (temporary) under the bottom row - with the tongues facing upwards. Second row just locked onto the first, and so on. Quite a quick job.

Rolling two coats of paint was also real quick.

what he said

p.s. My reasoning for landscape is one sheet fixed to more studs and added bonus if you go French cleat for storage then you can hide the join
cheers