We characterize the behavior of a random discrete interface φ on [−L, L] d ∩ Z d with energyV (∆φ(x)) as L → ∞, where ∆ is the discrete Laplacian and V is a uniformly convex, symmetric, and smooth potential. The interface φ is called the non-Gaussian membrane model. By analyzing the Helffer-Sjöstrand representation associated to ∆φ, we provide a unified approach to continuous scaling limits of the rescaled and interpolated interface in dimensions d = 2, 3, Gaussian approximation in negative regularity spaces for all d ≥ 2, and the infinite volume limit in d ≥ 5. Our results generalize some of those of [7].