Rob,
I'm in Chicago also, and have had melamine cabs in the basement and
garage for over 15 years with absolutely no mold/mildew. My basement is
dry and I installed the basic white cabinets from the Borg, nothing
fancy and a lot quicker than making them.

RobW wrote:

I have a shop in my basement (Chicago area) and am going to build some
wall and base cabinets. My plan was to use melamine, but a pro
cabinetmaker just told me that they will mold. I don't have any
problem with water in my basement so far (house only 1 year old), but
he said the glues used in melamine/mdf/particle board WILL mold in
time, guarenteed.

I know plywood isn't a whole lot more expensive, but these are just
going to be shop cabinets, nothing fancy. I'd rather spend the extra
$$$ on a new toy, (you know, tools).

Has anybody had any mold problems with melamine molding in their
basements?

Rob