Types of Edge Banding Based On Material, Size and Adhesive
When you are selecting your residence hall furniture and determining the specifications, you’ll inevitably decide on the materials you desire. Should it be made entirely of solid wood, including the top? Alternatively, should you go with solid wood or plywood substrates with laminate tops, or all laminate? Whatever you choose, your furniture will almost certainly have edge banding. Why? Because it is an essential component of the building. It also extends the life of your furniture depending on where we utilize it in the cabinet. This brief article will teach you the fundamentals of edge banding. I will detail all types of edge banding and discuss what they are composed of as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
What Is Edge Banding?
Edge banding is a thin material that is used to seal the exposed and raw edges of the plywood. On one side, heat sensitive glue is put to the board, while the other side functions as a barrier against dirt and moisture. Edge banding is used to wrap plywood sides to match the final look of a cabinet, but it also protects the inside plywood from warping. Edge banding is available in a number of materials. However, the two most usually utilized are PVC and Veneer.
Edge banding comes in a number of thicknesses as well. For cabinets in low-traffic locations, such as a home office, 0.5mm edge banding is utilized to save money while maintaining durability. To further protect your cabinets in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, 1mm thick edge banding is advised. 3mm edge banding is utilized for commercial tasks that require strength and durability. While most people want to match their edge banding to the finish to which it is applied, some choose to liven it up by choosing contrasting materials.
Where Should We Use Edge Banding?
Where will you locate edge banding in your furniture? This is determined by your total material specification. Except in cases when solid wood cannot be used, a solid wood product will not have any edge banding. Wardrobe doors are composed of veneer core plywood or MDF, for example. Even when solid wood is used for case sides and drawer fronts, many consumers prefer high pressure laminate tops. Edge banding is required for such tops. Edge banding is also required if you use plywood or laminate as your material specification. DCI use edge banding in unexpected areas, such as plywood bed decks. Why? Because a completely enclosed deck keeps bed bugs at bay.
Types of Edge Banding Based on Materials
Edge bands can be made of Wood Veneer, PVC, ABS, Polypropylene, Melamine.
Wood Veneer Edge banding
Wood Veneer Edge banding is made by finger-jointing various pieces of veneer into a continuous master roll. Veneer refers to thin pieces of wood. Popular species include oak, maple, mahogany, ash, and walnut, but there are many others, including natural and colored veneers.
PVC
Because of its outstanding processing qualities, PVC is the most widely used material in the fabrication of edge bands for the furniture industry. PVC edge banding is quite popular for modular furniture since it is incredibly resilient, easy to repair, and has an extremely long life.
ABS
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) have many of the same properties as PVC, although it is less dense, does not contain chlorine, and is not flame retardant.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) is a semi-crystalline plastic that is commonly used in the packaging sector. It is ideal for small radius applications, is chlorine-free, and is widely utilized as an alternative to standard PVC and ABS materials in the furniture sector.
Melamine
These melamine edge bandings are not widely used, although they are flexible and long-lasting. These materials frequently have an MDF core coated with a thin coating of polyurethane or PVC plastic.
T-Molding
T-molding is an edge band material that necessitates the creation of a groove in the substrate to accommodate the T-shaped edge band. Because of the tight fit, the T-molding must be lightly hammered into place.
Although T-molding appears to be quite attractive when first done, it does not last. The main downsides of adopting T-molding include chipped edges, visible seams, and little water resistance.
Types of Edge Banding Based on Size
Now I’ll separate the edge banding based on thickness and breadth. There 3 types of edge banding depending on size. They are-
- Thin types
- Medium types
- Thick types
Thin Types
Edge banding of this sort is thin enough to bend around complicated geometries like rounded edges or curved surfaces. They come in a range of widths, but the most popular are 20mm and 25mm. When you require edge banding that is flexible enough to bend around intricate forms, this is the sort to go with.
Medium Types
Edge banding in medium thicknesses is quite adaptable and may be utilized in a variety of applications. They are available in a variety of formats, including paper-backed varieties with glue already connected to the surface and self-adhesive types that must be manually applied, depending on the needs of your project.
Thick Types
These edge bandings are quite thick and hefty. Because they are not at all flexible, they can only be used for decoration. This is the ideal option if you want several types of wood veneer to cover your MDF cabinets.
Types of Edge Banding Based on Adhesives
Let us now categorize edge banding based on the type of adhesives.
No Pre-Glued Types
This edge banding does not have any adhesive on its surface. As a result, when you apply this, you must manually apply adhesive. To apply edge banding, just use any wood glue or double-sided tape.
Laser Edging
Thanks to a 100% adhesive-free functional layer, Laser Edge banding or Zero Junction Edge banding allows for a permanently functioning and undetectable joint on the completed component. The smooth connection forms a durable, functional, and inconspicuous junction. The union of the edge band and the board improves the completed components’ thermal distortion and moisture resistance.
Edge Banding Tape
This sort of edge banding is applied in the same manner as tape. This sort of edge banding tape can be used with any material.
Iron-On Edge Banding
Edge banding with an iron may be used on any material with a low heat resistance. They’re the cheapest, therefore they’re ideal for home improvement tasks – all you need is a household iron to connect them. It is a basic procedure that may be completed with minimal assistance.
Hot Air/Laser Edge Banding
These hot-air or laser-applied kinds are very simple to use and may be utilized with any sort of material. Because you just need a particular equipment for the task, it’s more suited to commercial projects than residential ones.
Hot Melt Glue
The edge banding used with hot-melt adhesive is inexpensive and available at any DIY store. They’re constructed of any heat-resistant substance, so avoid putting them on materials like MDF or plywood if your project will be exposed to high temperatures (like outdoor furniture).
How To Apply an Edge Banding?
A wood panel edge band is just a thin strip of waterproof PVC that has been cut to fit the dimensions of the panel. A strong adhesive is then applied to the rough edge. After melting the adhesive, the edge band is attached to the wood with a heat roller. To conceal the wood and eliminate any rough edges, the ends are cut flat and curled. Any extra adhesive is scraped away, and the finished edge is polished to a mirror-like brilliance. A machine used for this technique is called an edge bander. For more information watch this video.
How Do I Choose Edge Banding?
Let’s look at how to choose edge banding for different sorts of projects.
If you want a flexible and easy-to-use edge banding, melamine/ veneer varieties with paper backing are the finest solution for your project since they are ideal for curved surfaces or rounded edges. Choose a broader one if your project requires typefaces that can cover huge surfaces (25mm wide).
Types with different widths can help you locate exactly what you need. You should also consider its thickness and color so that there are no unpleasant shocks throughout the installation procedure. Are you including any ornamental elements? Simply choose edges made from wood species such as oak or walnut.
Edge banding is a great way to conceal up edges, especially if you want them to seem like solid wood! It’s simple to install and reasonably priced, making it an excellent solution for any job that necessitates the addition of various forms of edge banding. Remember to choose a suitable thickness based on the needs of your project.
When you require edge banding for curved surfaces or rounded edges, pick flexible varieties made of melamine/ veneer with paper backing – these types are highly ideal in such instances since they can fit in both thick and thin ones without breaking down later on during the installation process. When choosing edge banding for your project, you should also consider color options, kinds, and widths.
Frequently Asked Questions about Types of Edge Banding
1. How Do You Trim The Veneer Edge Banding?
The simplest technique to trim veneer edge banding is to place the banded panel against a worktop. Holding a 1-inch chisel firmly on the panel’s side edge, hit the chisel with a hammer.
2. How Can I Get Rid of Old Edge Banding?
The easiest approach to remove old edge banding is with a putty knife. The edge banding will easily peel away, but clean the surface well before putting the new edge banding. To erase the adhesive marks, simply smooth the surface or use rubbing alcohol.
3. Is It Possible to Paint an Edge Banding?
You can, indeed, paint an edge banding. Just make sure the edge banding you’re using is sand-able.
4. When Applying Edge Banding, How Hot Should The Iron Be?
The temperature of the iron is crucial for successful edge banding application. At 390 degrees Fahrenheit, the glue in edge banding melts and adheres to the item.
5. What Should The Veneer Edge Banding Thickness Be?
The thickness of veneer edge banding can range from 0.1mm to 3mm. If you require edge banding for places such as the bathroom or kitchen, it is normally advised that the thickness be about 1mm. Similarly, for commercial use, 3mm is recommended to give extra strength.
Conclusion
Edge banding comes in a variety of styles, widths, and materials. Before selecting on the appropriate edge banding for your project, consider the sort of edge banding you want, as well as its thickness and color. If you need an edge banding to cover a broad surface or a curved edge, choose a kind with a greater width. However, if you have any issues regarding selecting types of edge banding, please contact our staff by leaving a comment below.
