If you have shopped for cabinets lately, you have probably heard a salesperson say plywood is good and particleboard is bad. It is a useful shortcut, but it skips the details that decide how long a cabinet lasts. Here is how the common box materials compare, and why One Source builds the way it does.
What is a melamine cabinet?
A melamine cabinet has a box made from engineered wood panels with a melamine surface fused to them under heat and pressure. That surface is also called TFL, or thermally fused laminate. It is not a sticker or a vinyl wrap. It becomes part of the panel, which is why it holds up to cleaning products, spills and daily wear.
At One Source, every standard cabinet box is 3/4″ white oak melamine on the top, bottom, sides and back, with 3/4″ full-depth adjustable shelves and 5/8″ matching white oak melamine drawer boxes. The full build is on our cabinet specifications page.
How does melamine compare with plywood and MDF?
| Material | What it is | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine (TFL) on engineered panel | Engineered wood core with a fused decorative surface | Stable, flat, easy to clean, consistent color inside and out | Raw or poorly sealed edges; thin 1/2″ panels |
| Plywood | Thin wood layers glued in alternating directions | Light, strong, holds screws well | Still needs a finish or veneer; surface quality varies by grade |
| MDF | Fine wood fibers pressed with resin | Very smooth, great for painted doors | Heavy; swells if water gets past the paint |
| Solid wood | Natural lumber | Classic look, can be refinished | Moves with humidity; can crack or warp in dry climates |
Is melamine better than plywood?
Neither one wins on every point. Plywood is lighter and holds screws a little better. Melamine panels are flatter, more consistent and come already finished, so the inside of the cabinet is as easy to clean as the outside. For most kitchens and baths the bigger question is how the box is built. A 3/4″ melamine box with sealed edges and good joinery will outlast a thin, poorly assembled plywood box.
What makes a melamine cabinet last?
- Panel thickness. Many lower-cost cabinet lines use 1/2″ panels. One Source uses 3/4″ for the box and shelves.
- Sealed edges. Moisture gets in at raw edges. We apply 1mm edgebanding matched to the finish on exposed edges.
- Joinery. Our cabinets use mortise and tenon construction: components interlock and are joined with assembly screws.
- Hardware. Six-way adjustable Salice soft-close hinges and Salice Futura Smove full-extension soft-close slides come standard.
We break this down further in Custom Cabinets vs. Big-Box Store Cabinets.
Can I still get real wood?
Yes. The 2026 catalog includes real wood options, such as Lignapal prefinished real wood and Salt International Pura Vita veneer, alongside hundreds of laminate solids and woodgrains. You can browse every Arizona selection in the 2026 catalog.
How do I take care of melamine cabinets?
Wipe them with a soft cloth and mild soap and water, then dry. Avoid abrasive pads, and do not let water sit along edges or seams. That is about it.
Want to see and feel the panels? Book a free design consultation at our Mesa or Colorado Springs showroom.
Frequently asked questions
Are melamine cabinets cheap?
Not necessarily. Melamine is used across many price points. What separates quality cabinets is panel thickness, sealed edges, joinery and hardware. One Source uses 3/4″ melamine boxes, 1mm matching edgebanding and Salice hardware.
Do melamine cabinets hold up to water?
The melamine surface resists everyday moisture and spills. The weak point on any engineered panel is a raw edge, which is why edges should be sealed with edgebanding and standing water should be wiped up promptly.
Are One Source cabinet boxes plywood?
Standard One Source cabinet boxes are 3/4″ white oak melamine on the top, bottom, sides and back. Ask your designer about other options for your project.
What drawer boxes does One Source use?
Standard drawer boxes and rollouts are 5/8″ matching white oak melamine on Salice Futura Smove full-extension soft-close slides.
Specifications and finish counts are from the One Source Cabinets 2026 Product Catalog (October 2026 revision).