I'm curious about using melamine for workbench surfaces. Has anyone jumped on the black melamine trend? Do people prefer white melamine instead? For those who have been using melamine tops, what are the advantages and disadvantages? How does it hold up over time? Do you generally repair it, or do you swap it out when it gets worn?
1 Answer
In my experience, melamine can be a bit too slick for a workbench. It's not very durable, as the melamine layer is quite thin and there's just particle board beneath it. Personally, I prefer using hardboard instead. If you cover MDF or cheap plywood with 1/4" hardboard, you'll have a solid surface that can be easily replaced without much hassle.
Thanks for your thoughts! I might consider that for a smaller bench. I tried the hardboard over MDF and loved it, but I haven’t tried hardwood yet.