Melamine as interior wall?

[old__man]

Good day,

It's soon going to be time to put up cladding on my interior walls of my new garage.

I just got a line on some really cheap unused 1/2" maple veneered melamine/chip board/particle board panels. Enough to do all the walls and ceiling. It is less than half the price of OSB, which was my original plan. It's even cheaper than drywall which I don't want to begin with.

I thinking weight on the ceiling might be an issue. I;m going to need cup washers. Anything else? I probably can't just drive a screw into it to hang stuff up either.

Thoughts?

 

[The Cobbler]

price is right . might be difficult to work with . screws will hold so so in it . better than drywall for sure .
I don't think the weight will affect the trusses, they will be designed for heavy snow load ( from your part of the country LOL)

 

[Notgrownup]

Check with the truss company.

 

[The Cobbler]

just googled weights . realize there's variables but...
1/2 melamine 66lbs/sht
5/8 drywall 73lbs/sht
1/2 drywall 52lbs/sht

 

[old__man]

EDIT: ^^ Cobbs beat me to it.


They gave me a print out of the truss design with a boat load of numbers that even I, with a degree in engineering, can't understand.

That being said, I just looked it up and it is slightly less than the weight of 5/8 drywall.

 

[Notgrownup]

Hell slap it up there then...

 

[old__man]

Ya, I think I am going to go pick it up Monday. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

I think GRK cabinet screws should work.

 

[kbs2244]

"maple veneered"
If you like the look, go for it.

 

[old__man]

"maple veneered"
If you like the look, go for it.

I haven't seen it yet. One of my concerns is that it will end up looking like a 70s fake wood panelled basement (minus the **** carpet)

 

[glentre]

Melamine/particleboard core would make a nice looking wall and much more durable than drywall. Main problem is if the panel edges are ever exposed to water, your 1/2" will quickly turn to 3/4". Also, what do you plan to do with the seams where the panels **** together?

You can fasten the panels to the walls with Philips screws and use matching or contrasting screw covers which press into the screw heads to hide them. Google woodworking suppliers for other fastening ideas.

Glen

 

[Lelandwelds]

The whole family of sawdust-glued-together panel goods eventually turns to sawdust from water and humidity. The only exception I know of is the MDO resin paper surfaced sheet the sign companies use. I havent seen melamine as tough.

I would prefer Huber branded OSB, FRP, exterior plywood, sheetmetal, or exterior gypsum. I havent used it but the " smart side" panels looks interesting.

 

[old__man]

Update: In case any one searches this in the future this is what the final product more or less looks like.

 

[ishiboo]

Good deal and that's looking nice! I hope it doesn't sag on you though.

 

[shedfullatools]

That looks damn good Price is right for sure considering how much the other options seem to cost lately

 

[ard]

Looks very nice. As I was reading down, I was thinking the whole tine in maple might be a alot. That black stripe helps hide the seams between pieces AND breaks it up- as well as creates a horizontal reference.

Well done

(edit- the ceiling is the only spot that might sag over the years...)

 

[The Cobbler]

Nice !