Melamine vs Phenolic

Posted by Chelsea Johnson on Aug 26, 2024

What are your material needs?

Everyone loves the thrill of planning for a new project. You get an idea in your head and plan out every aspect to ensure it turns out exactly how you envisioned it. Sometimes, there are so many material options that it can make your head spin!

But, you’ve done your research and ended up here at MakerStock (fantastic choice by the way). You know you’re on the hunt for a material that is tough, durable and finished on both faces. While browsing through the plywood, you stumbled upon Phenolic and Melamine faced Baltic Birch. Both seem perfect and now you are stuck again. What’s the difference anyway? They look the same except for color options. Well, we are here to help you! Let’s explore the differences and similarities between these two products.

What is Phenol and Melamine?

Phenol and Melamine are both derivative from the coal industry and used in a multitude of different ways to manufacture products.

Phenol is an organic compound that was first extracted from coal tar and is produced on a large scale today from petroleum-derived feedstocks. Its primary use is for synthesizing plastics and related materials like laminates and aircraft interiors.

Melamine is a nitrogen rich, organic based compound that is a chemical byproduct of the coal industry. It can be created from Urea when it is broken down to Cyanuric Acid which is then reacted to create Melamine. Its primary uses are for creating plastic products, laminates and commonly used in tableware.

Meet the Resins!

Resin is one of the components that makes these products similar. Our Phenolic and Melamine plywood are both resin coated and sealed on the faces, not the edges. Both are high temperature and flame resistant materials.

Phenolic is coated in a Phenol film which is made from a paper base that is saturated with Phenol resin. It is UV resistant and overlaid in layers for increased resistance to abrasion. While Phenol resin is low-cost and flame resistant the pigmented applications are primarily limited to shades of red, brown and black. Here at MakerStock, we currently stock Light Brown and Black Phenolic faced plywood.

Melamine is coated in a low density, laminate resin that also provides a strong finish to the plywood cores. Unlike Phenol Resin, you will need to use a carbide tip and/or masking tape when cutting Melamine faced plywood. This will help avoid any chip out or chipping the Melamine surface. Also, unlike its Phenol counterpart, Melamine resin is clear and wear resistant. Melamine resins are available in a much wider selection. We currently stock Melamine in white and gray. We also have melamine faced MDF in black and gray!

Popular Projects and Uses

Now that we know the differences between the two products, let’s explore some of the most popular applications for projects!

Phenolic Baltic Birch plywood is known for its strength, durability and resistance to moisture, making it one of the cool kids to choose from for a variety of projects. Here are the top five most popular applications for Phenolic Baltic Birch plywood:

Cabinetry and Furniture: The durability and resistance to moisture make Phenolic Baltic Birch a perfect candidate for kitchen and bathroom cabinets. The strength and smooth surface of this material makes it ideal for high-end cabinetry and furniture. It also makes it easy to clean!

Workbenches and Tooling Jigs: Phenolic Baltic Birch is incredibly stable under pressure. It is a go to material for workbenches, tooling jigs and other workshop surfaces thanks to its toughness and resistance to wear. It’s also used for table saw extensions since you can move the material across the table with ease since it is so smooth!

Skateboard Decks: Who said you can only use Phenolic in the workshop?! Did you know that Phenolic Baltic Birch is commonly used in the production of skateboard decks? The layers of birch ply combined with phenolic resin creates strong, durable and, most importantly, flexible boards that can withstand heavy use. Grip tape not included!

Marine Applications: The water-resistant properties of Phenolic Baltic Birch make it an excellent choice in material for marine applications. You can use it for boat interiors, flooring and cabinetry. The resistance to warping and swelling in moist environments makes it a very appealing material. It’s important to keep in mind that the edges of the material must be sealed.

Architectural Panels and Signage: Thanks to its UV and water resistance properties, Phenolic is a great choice for architectural panels and signage.

Melamine Baltic Birch plywood has a winning combination of strength and durability as well as a clean, finished appearance Here are the top five popular projects made with Melamine Baltic Birch plywood:

Cabinetry and Shelving: Much like Phenolic, Melamine Baltic Birch is a popular choice for cabinetry. Melamine provides a smooth, scratch resistant finish that is easy to clean. It makes it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and more!

Furniture: The winning combination of Baltic Birch’s strength and attractive finish provided by the Melamine face makes this a go-to material choice for modern furniture. This includes desks, tables and entertainment units. The durability of the melamine surface helps protect the furniture from wear and tear from daily life.

Closet Systems: In the need of some serious closet organization? Melamine Baltic Birch is often used for creating custom closet systems. It’s perfect for this application due to its sturdy construction as well as the clean, finished look of the Melamine surface. It’s amazing to use for shelves, drawers and many other closet components that require a smooth and durable finish.

Drawer Boxes: This material is very commonly used for drawer boxes in office furniture, kitchens and bathrooms. It’s such a practical choice due to the material being resistant to moisture and super easy to clean.

Retail Displays and Fixtures: Retailers often will use Melamine Baltic Birch for a variety of applications within their stores. It can be used for displays, shelving and even fixtures. The material’s strength ensures it can support heavy products. The Melamine finish also provides a clean, professional appearance that is easy to upkeep and maintain.

Decision time!

Now that you are familiar with the differences between Phenolic and Melamine faced Baltic Birch, you should be ready to choose which of these materials will work best for your project. They’re both strong, durable and water resistant materials that can be used in many different projects. If you feel like you still cannot make a decision on what to choose, we are always here to help! Do not hesitate to contact us at info@makerstock.com with any questions or concerns you may have about these products. We want to make sure you get the best material for the job and get to create exactly what you envisioned. Keep on Making, Makers!

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