Abstract Langmuir-Blodgett deposition and self-assembly are presently the most frequently used methods for the construction of well-defined, ordered monolayers. In this study the formation of monolayers from the melts of amphiphilic molecules in the form of n-alkanols was investigated. Silica and mica surfaces were immersed in n-alkanol melts and withdrawn after short periods of time. Scanning force microscopy was used to study the topography of the samples and the strength of the adsorption of the molecules to the surface. Scanning force microscopy showed that almost defect-free monolayers could be formed if the temperature of the melt did not exceed the melting temperature of the n-alkanols by more than 30°C. By increasing the force exerted by the scanning force microscope tip on the monolayer, molecules could be locally removed from the substrate, indicating that they were physically adsorbed to the substrate. The results of this study suggest that the adsorption of amphiphilic molecules, and especially n-alkanols, from melts can be a relatively easy method for constructing ordered monolayers.