Melamine vivarium’s have long been the industry standard for housing reptiles in the UK. The durable nature, stylish appearance and good heat retention properties of melamine combined with its easy to clean surfaces and low cost (when compared to glass and PVC) mean melamine vivarium’s have been in use to house reptiles for over 40 years.

Due to their sturdy construction, they can be stacked on top of each other and have good weight bearing properties. Gradual advancements in build style and ventilation methods mean they are easier than ever to put together, and most people will be able to build one in under an hour.

The only major drawback to melamine vivarium’s is when they are used for very high humidity species as moisture can eventually penetrate the wood. Using a high-grade aquarium sealant to seal inside the vivarium before use will mean you should get years or even decades of use from these hard wearing and durable enclosures when used in low humidity environments.

PVC enclosures have recently been gaining popularity as they bridge the gap between glass and melamine enclosures. PVC has better heat retention properties than glass while being impervious to moisture, the main drawback to melamine. Although often a pricier option their durability in high humidity environments often justifies this added cost.