Journal / Wood polish
Melamine or PU polish: which wood finish suits your project
By the Interiors Wallah site team · Published · Updated · 2 min read
Doors, wall panelling, wardrobes and staircases take up a large share of what the eye sees in a luxury interior. The two finishes specified most often for them are melamine and PU (polyurethane). Both can look beautiful on day one. They differ in how they wear, how long they take, and what they cost.
The short answer
| Melamine | PU | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Warm and natural, in matt or gloss | Deeper, more even film; matt through to mirror gloss |
| Scratch and heat resistance | Good | Better |
| Resistance to water and stains | Fair | Strong |
| Colour options | Clear over stain | Clear or fully pigmented colours |
| Time on site | Shorter | Longer, with more coats and curing |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Where melamine makes sense
Melamine suits wood that is looked at more than it is touched: wall panelling, ceiling rafters, wardrobe interiors, bedroom doors. It brings out the grain well and it is quicker to apply, which matters when a whole building has to be handed over.
Where PU earns its price
PU is the better choice wherever the surface takes punishment: main doors, dining tables, kitchen shutters, hotel room furniture, reception counters and handrails. It resists hot cups, spills and cleaning chemicals far better, and it holds its sheen for longer. Pigmented PU also gives a smooth, solid colour that melamine cannot.
What decides the result
Sanding. The finish can only be as smooth as the wood beneath it. Sanding through the grits and filling the grain takes more time than the coating itself.
Dust control. Wet polish holds every speck that lands on it. Top coats should go on in a closed, cleaned area, never while other trades are cutting or sanding nearby.
An approved sample. Stain colour and sheen should be signed off on a piece of the same veneer or timber, in the light of the room it will live in, before the full job starts.
Curing time. PU needs time to harden fully. Furniture that is wrapped or loaded too early will mark.
Mixing both on one project
A common and sensible specification is PU on everything that is touched daily and melamine on everything that is not. On a hotel floor, that might mean PU on room doors and furniture, and melamine on corridor panelling. The two can be matched closely in colour and sheen so the difference is not visible.
If you would like sample boards in both finishes for your project, send us the details.