Melamine vs plywood

[bradthebanker]

I have been told that plywood isn't as good of a material to make a rack from and melamine is better. But my thing is that melamine will ruin if gotten wet and plywood would mess with them somehow and stress them out. What is everyone's opinion on this subject.

[TheSnakeGuy]

I haven't built one yet, but I have done my research and the consensus is that melamine is the best material. Plywood can be used, but I would cover it with a couple layers of non-toxic latex paint just to be safe. It will basically seal the wood similar to the white layer covering melamine. Hope this helps.

[OhhWatALoser]

melamine is laminated, it doesn't get ruined if it gets wet, thats why people suggest it. People will complain about the weight, bout it. you only have to watch the cut edges or you can seal the edges if you really want.

[Jayrhamlin]

Mine is built from melamine. It can get wet, it just can't get waterlogged. If you left it out through several rainstorms or threw it in a lake it would eventually fall apart, but the laminate protects it from spills, humidity, etc. It also insulates better than plywood if you're doing an enclosed rack.

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[Mike41793]

I'd use melamine or save up for a PVC rack.

[RaltsXIV]

I had one of melamine but all since are plywood. Personally, melamine is heavy and if the edges aren't sealed properly the Mdf can't handle water exposure at all. Plywood is lighter and more forgiving to humidity exposure if you somehow don't seal it properly. Melamine sags before plywood will. I built my racks to last so I chose plywood.

Melamine did hold heat better in cold ambient temps. I didn't want white racks and finding/purchasing black melamine or black coating negated the savings over plywood.

[bradthebanker]

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[satomi325]

It's personal preference.
I have a sealed homemade plywood rack. It was customized to match my furniture. It works great. I haven't had heating or moisture issues yet. *knock on wood* (pun intended )







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[toyota89]

How did you seal it?

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[bradthebanker]

That is a nice rack. I just need to wait till the paint smell is gone or minimal to put mine it.

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