Melamine as a polish
This is the budget sealer of Indian carpentry. It is thin, penetrates the timber, dries in hours and leaves a low sheen that protects against handling and light moisture. It does not build a film the way PU does, so it offers little protection against water sitting on the surface and it wears through at touch points in four to six years. Where it is genuinely appropriate: internal faces of wardrobes, back panels, study shelving, and any veneered surface that is seen but not handled.
Melamine as a board facing
Melamine-faced board is made by fusing a resin-impregnated decor paper directly onto particle board or MDF under heat and pressure. It removes a whole trade from site — no laminating, no adhesive, no bubbles — and it is how nearly all wardrobe internals and office storage in India are built. The facing is thinner and less abrasion-resistant than true HPL, which is why it belongs inside the cabinet rather than on its front.
| Product | Rate | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Melamine polish, clear | ₹45–80 / sq ft | Veneer and timber, low-touch |
| Melamine polish, tinted | ₹60–110 / sq ft | Matching new joinery to old |
| Pre-lam particle board, 18 mm | ₹38–55 / sq ft | Wardrobe internals, office storage |
| Pre-lam MDF, 18 mm | ₹55–80 / sq ft | Shelving, back panels, drawer sides |
The confusion that costs money
A quotation reading “melamine finish” can mean a ₹55 per sq ft sealer or a ₹70 per sq ft faced board — completely different scopes. Worse, some quotations use it as a synonym for a polished finish while pricing a sealer, then present the wardrobe fronts sealed rather than polished. Ask whether the line is a coating or a board, and on which faces.
Our default: pre-laminated board for internals, PU or 1 mm laminate for anything on show. See wardrobe design for the standard build-up, or how to read a quotation for more line items that hide in plain sight.
Frequently asked questions
Is melamine polish waterproof?+
No. It resists occasional wiping and light humidity but it is not a barrier film. Standing water on a melamine-sealed surface will mark it and eventually reach the substrate. For any wet-adjacent joinery, use PU.
Is melamine-faced board the same as laminate?+
No. Melamine facing is fused directly to the board at low pressure and is around 0.1 mm thick. High-pressure laminate is a separate 0.8–1 mm sheet bonded on afterwards, and is far more abrasion-resistant.
How long does melamine polish last?+
Four to six years on low-touch surfaces, less on anything handled. It can be cleaned and recoated without stripping, which is the main practical advantage over a film finish.
Should wardrobe internals be melamine or laminate?+
Pre-laminated melamine board is the sensible choice for internals — it is factory-finished, consistent and costs less. Reserve real laminate for the shutters, where the surface takes contact every day.