Furniture guide
5 minWhich furniture material is right: melamine, glass, polypropylene, mesh, PU or steel?
What each furniture material is, where it performs best and how to care for it: melamine and MDF, tempered glass, polypropylene, technical mesh, PU and steel. With an interactive explorer.
By the LuxaLine · Grupo ConstruMarket team · Updated
The short answer
Specify by intensity of use, not by catalogue page. With heavy traffic and daily cleaning → polypropylene and steel. If people sit all day → technical mesh and high-density foam. If the piece has to express the brand → PU, tempered glass and wood. For worksurfaces, melamine over board is the standard: it resists everyday scratches and stains and doesn't warp in the regional climate. Outdoors, only UV-protected materials, like the Garbar Resol line.
Each material, in one table
| Material | Where it performs | Care | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine over MDF or particle board | Desks, tables, credenzas | Damp cloth and mild soap | Standing water at joints and edges |
| Tempered glass | Meeting tables and statement desks | Glass cleaner | Knocks on the edges |
| Polypropylene | Stacking chairs, waiting, canteens, schools | Water and soap | Direct sun if it lacks UV additive |
| Technical mesh | Backrests for long days | Gentle weekly vacuum | Sharp objects |
| PU · eco-leather | Armchairs, executive chairs, reception | Damp cloth, mild soap, dry | Alcohol, bleach, solvents, direct sun |
| Steel, powder or epoxy coated | Frames, lockers, filing | Damp cloth; touch up scratches | Deep scratches left untouched in humid areas |
Surfaces: melamine, glass or upholstered
Melamine is the facing; the core can be MDF or particle board. For institutional desks, melamine over 18–25 mm board with sealed edges works well; demanding table tops use thicker boards, like the Sevilla table at 35 mm. Tempered glass breaks into small rounded fragments instead of shards, which is why it's the glass used in furniture: the Imperia uses 12 mm frosted glass. PU upholstery, like the Vienna's, adds warmth and quiet but needs more care around sharp objects.
Seating: polypropylene, mesh, foam or PU
Polypropylene is the high-traffic material: it washes, stacks and takes knocks; with glass fibre, like the Turín (30%), it gets stiffer. Technical mesh breathes and is the best option in warm climates for long days. High-density foam supports and doesn't flatten quickly; moulded foam, like the Bari's, keeps its shape. PU looks executive and cleans easily, but it's warm and doesn't tolerate solvents or direct sun.
Outdoors and humid areas
Polypropylene without UV additive fades and becomes brittle in the sun; outdoors use lines designed for it, such as Garbar Resol (UV protection and water resistance) or the street furniture. In changing rooms and humid areas, steel with an anti-corrosion epoxy coating (see lockers). How to clean each one is in the guide on maintenance. Looking for architectural materials (ACM, HPL, terracotta)? They're in the façades guide and the Architecture materials library.
How to read the spec sheet before buying
Before closing, check each model's spec sheet for: frame and surface material, board or glass thickness, the type of metal coating, the weight rating on chairs and any certification the manufacturer declares. If a figure isn't on the sheet, ask for it in writing in the quote. And compare models side by side: the site's comparison tool puts up to three products with dimensions, materials and finishes on one screen.
Explore the 6 materials
Melamine & MDF
Fiber or particle boards faced with melamine resin. The standard for work surfaces: desks, tables and credenzas.
- Resists everyday scratches and stains
- Stable: doesn't warp in the regional climate
- 18–40 mm thicknesses to match structural demand
Care & cleaning
Damp cloth and neutral soap. Avoid standing water at the joints and harsh solvents.
On video
See it before you decide
Common mistakes
Light fabric in a canteen or clinic
It absorbs stains and is hard to disinfect. Polypropylene or PU.
Indoor polypropylene on the terrace
Without UV additive it fades and turns brittle. Use an outdoor line.
Melamine with open edges
Water gets in through the edge and the board swells. Sealed edges.
Cleaning PU with alcohol or bleach
They dry it out and crack it. Mild soap and dry straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Melamine or MDF: which is better for desks?
Melamine is the facing; the core can be MDF or particle board. For institutional desks: melamine over 18–25 mm board with sealed edges.
Does polypropylene work outdoors?
Only with UV additive, as in outdoor lines like Garbar Resol. Without UV treatment it fades and turns brittle in the sun.
How do I clean PU eco-leather without damaging it?
Damp cloth with mild soap, dried immediately. Never alcohol, bleach or solvents: they dry out the polyurethane and crack it.
Tempered glass or melamine for a meeting table?
Melamine for heavy daily use and easy upkeep; tempered glass when the room should feel lighter and brighter.
Which chair material is best in a warm climate?
Technical mesh on the back, because it lets air through. PU and upholstered foam trap more heat.
Where to see it in the catalogue
Come and try the pieces
LuxaLine furniture on display at ConstruMarket stores in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Book your visit: suggest a day and an advisor confirms the time.
Book your visitTorn between two finishes?
Tell us how the space is used and we'll recommend the material and finish that best stands up to it.
An advisor gets back to you during business hours.