The formaldehyde in melamine is only a problem if it is ingested or if fumes from burning melamine is inhaled. So, it's safe to use melamine as caging material.



Melamine is waterproof but some people suggest an extra layer of protection in the botom 4 inches or so of the cage (cage floor & 4 inches or so up the walls) for water spills, urates, etc...



All joints in a melamine cage need to be sealed good with 100% silicone and all bare edges need to be covered sealed somehow to where the particle board that the melamine is affixed to is protected This usually calls for the use of edge banding or polyurethane in the areas of sliding glass doors or most any other door areas.



One reason some people don't like using melamine is because of the particleboard that it's affixed to. When the inside of melamine boards get wet it practically desinegrates like sand thru an hour glass, it will fall apart real easy.



I've got plans & material for rack-type cages but haven't built a melamine cage, yet. In theory, I believe that if the joints & edges are all sealed properly there shouldn't be any problems.



However, for my burmese python cages that I hope to start on in a month or so I will be using 3/4" cabinet-grade plywood and will seal the inside with a two-part epoxy kit designed for flooring.



Probably the only reason I'm using plywood instead of melamine for the bigger, python, cages, is for appearance. I like a natural wood grain look better than melamine.



One thing you need to keep in mind when desiging a large cage is the ability to move, relocate, the cage. An 8' x 4' x 2 1/2' cage won't fit through the doorway of most interior rooms, no matter how you turn it. For such situations I suggest a 2-part cage that can be fastened together once it's moved into the room.



If the cage is always going to be in a garage or a room with double doors, no problem.



Hope this helps!



Have a good one!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,

this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:

Appalachian American

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