Oct. 07, 2024
In today&#;s design age, the selection of furniture pieces is near limitless, with e-commerce and brick-and-mortar shops selling a wide selection of furniture. Choosing elements that have been manufactured with keen attention to detail is vital.
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The desk you&#;re sitting at, the shelving unit that holds your books, and your kitchen and bath cabinets may all have one key detail in common: edge banding.
Edge banding aids in creating an aesthetically attractive piece and adds value to it while also improving the longevity of the product it is applied to.
To learn more about edge banding and the different types available today, the experts at PRIedgebanding.com have created an ultimate guide to edge banding. Gain knowledge and understanding of this critical, intricate product and craft.
Edge banding is both a type of material and a process. As a material, it functions as a narrow decorative strip with adhesive applied to one side to seal the edges of a piece of carpentry. It makes the outside of a piece of wood or plywood more aesthetically pleasing and creates a seal that helps protect the exposed edges from dings and harmful elements such as water or debris.
Edge banding is also the process by which these narrow strips of material are placed on the edge of exposed wood or plywood.
During production, everyday furniture items like cabinetry, desks, doors, and shelves will be shaped and cut to exact dimensions, often leaving exposed or unsightly edges. Not only is this visually unappealing, but it is also a hazard to the material. Rough, unfinished edges on a manufactured wood core open to the elements are a recipe for disaster. Over time, these exposed edges can absorb moisture, leading to the bowing, shrinking, or cracking of wood. Edge banding is a sealant for these exposed edges, delivering a functional and stunning look.
While we have mentioned wood a few times, edge banding is only used for some wood material. For example, a solid wood item would not require edge banding as it is durable enough. As solid wood becomes more expensive and the need for harvesting increases, potentially devastating to the environment, the market for manufactured wood has vastly expanded, along with the need for edge banding.
Manufactured wood, e.g., plywood, particle board, and MDF, do not have solid wood&#;s density or beautiful smooth finish. It requires the application of edge banding to create a &#;natural&#; edge. A component made from manufactured wood panels typically has a decorative and protective top and bottom surface. Still, it will usually require edge banding along the edges to create the decorative and protective seal.
Edge banding is used on the exterior edges and sides of drawers and cabinets because these areas are readily visible. They are also the areas that are heavily exposed to air, moisture, and dust.
Areas not requiring edge banding include cabinet backs or drawer bottoms because their raw edges are usually embedded in attached pieces in dado grooves. Leaving these areas unbanded is also less expensive since exposed edges are not readily visible.
Edge banding can be applied in a variety of ways, including:
The appropriate application method(s) will depend on several factors, such as the type of edge banding being utilized, the size of the material, the intended use of the final product, and the production capacity of the component manufacturer. Several application techniques suit those doing the work themselves without professional assistance.
There are several different types of edge banding. The best edge banding choice typically depends on finding the closest color match to the finished surface(s) of the component that is both cost-effective and suitable for the intended use of the furniture item.
Edge banding is available in various materials, thicknesses, widths, textures, and sheen levels, and an unlimited range of solid colors, patterns, and wood grains. Working with an edge banding specialist to find a suitable material is highly recommended.
Here are the different types of edge banding materials, what they are best used for, and their pros and cons.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) edge banding is a long-lasting material that has continued to grow in popularity over the last few decades.
It is one of the most popular materials in laminated and melamine furniture construction. It is renowned for its color selection (including solids, wood grains, and patterns) with many width and thickness options, sheens, and textures. PVC is also available with a metallic look.
Because PVC is relatively easy to affix and has a long life, it is a prevalent choice for modular furniture. It is often preferred for its impermeable nature. PVC can be molded to fit curved surfaces and comes in unique colors that can easily match many color varieties.
PVC has continued to grow in popularity and stay relatively inexpensive, making it an excellent option for businesses looking to increase their profit margins and decrease labor costs. PVC is highly durable and easy to use, so even those without prior edge banding knowledge can create beautiful pieces of furniture for a fraction of the cost of solid wood.
ABS Edgebanding, also known as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is another plastic edge banding produced from ABS resins rather than its more common cousin, PVC. To be more eco-friendly, many areas worldwide, including Europe, are utilizing ABS, Polypropylene, and Polyester edge banding (discussed below) over PVC due to their stricter environmentally-friendly standards.
Due to its greener attributes, healthcare and educational furniture are two of the largest markets for ABS. Architects and designers also specify ABS, and some furniture conglomerates like IKEA and H&M are abandoning PVC altogether.
ABS is more eco-friendly than PVC as it does not produce toxic chemicals when incinerated.
Wood veneer edge banding is natural wood sliced very thinly and is commonly used in furniture manufacturing due to its durability, sustainability, and luxurious look. Thin veneer edge banding is typically 0.5 mm thick but is available in multiple thicknesses up to 5.0 mm. Veneer is produced from common woods and more exotic woods that are either too expensive to use as solid wood or subject to limitations on harvesting. Veneer edge banding is considerably more affordable than solid wood, making it a preferable choice for businesses that want to match the aesthetics of solid wood but at a much lower cost.
Wood veneer edge banding is the perfect material for environmentally conscious furniture pieces and is a favored option for movable elements like cabinetry, shelving, or drawers. It is an excellent option for those who want a premium wood look for less.
Numerous types of wood work well for veneer edge banding. These include red oak, cherry, white birch, maple, and walnut. At PRIedgebanding.com, we can source virtually any wood species needed for your banding and offer complete flexibility for order quantity.
These types of edge bandings should be considered if you need a metallic look on your edges. Mylar edge banding is a thin film laminated to a plastic backer, usually ABS or PVC, which closely resembles the look of natural metal edge banding. Mylar film is often favored for its metal-like appearance at considerably less cost than actual metal. Both mylar and metal are available in attractive, modern finishes like brushed and polished. During production, a protective peel coat is typically applied to the top of the banding to prevent scratching. A primer is applied to the back to help the edge band adhere to its corresponding product. Both mylar and metal are available in automatic, pre-glued, and PSA.
While mylar and natural metal edge banding appear very similar, they have distinct differences that might ultimately be your deciding factor in choosing which is suitable for your project.
At PRI, mylar and natural metal edge banding are produced on wide master rolls and can be made in thicknesses ranging from 0.5mm to 3mm. They also come in various choices, including aluminum, stainless steel, gold, chrome, pewter, zinc, bronze, and copper.
As noted above, Mylar is more economical as it is a thin film instead of a solid metal surface. However, metal edge banding may be the preferred choice in some applications. PVC is also available with a metallic look.
Laser edge banding is a more modern technique that melts two surfaces together. Using a laser beam, this new technology is an edge banding with a pre-applied, co-extruded polymer functional layer that replaces the traditional glue used to apply edge banding, allowing for a much superior and seamless joint between the edge banding and the board. It can be used with all zero-joint edge banding machines, including hot-air, laser, plasma, and near-infrared. The edge banding is typically made from ABS or polypropylene.
T-Molding is an incredibly durable and flexible type of edge banding material that is an extruded shape with a center barb that gets pressed into a kerf (slot) cut into the edge of a panel. It provides strong impact protection and a nice finished look. T-molding is made using PVC and polypropylene. or similar products and is available in many standard or custom profiles and colors, including woodgrains. Because of its unorthodox shape, each T-molding profile has a different-sized barb that will fit snugly into the kerf slot. They are designed to seat firmly and hug the edge permanently.
T-molding has traditionally been used to increase edge durability and soften hard edges on manufactured composite wood furniture, especially office furniture, classroom furniture, and store fixtures subject to high use. At PRI, we offer t-molding options in solid colors, woodgrains, and patterns to meet your needs best.
Polyester edge banding has become very popular in the furniture industry recently. As many countries avoid PVC, polyester is also an excellent eco-friendly option. Polyester edge banding is made with no formaldehyde or styrene during manufacturing and can be recycled in cogeneration plants to produce power and steam.
Polyester is quickly becoming popular for businesses looking for PVC-free edge banding. Not only does this environmentally friendly material offer matches to high-pressure laminate (HPL) and thermally fused melamine (TFM) solids, wood grains, and patterns, but it is available in multiple textures, gloss levels, widths, and thicknesses.
Polypropylene Edgebanding (PP) is considered the most eco-friendly edge banding. It requires relatively little energy to manufacture and can be safely recycled or incinerated. It is the best rigid material for radial applications. PP is resistant to water and most chemicals and has superior light fastness and shrinkage properties, making it ideal for laboratory and school applications.
Melamine edge banding is a unique, resin-saturated paper that is expertly designed to provide strength and resilience to scratches or knocks.
This low-cost, durable material is used primarily in furniture manufacturing, specifically for kitchen, living room, and bedroom products. It is also widely used for smaller items like cabinetry and shelving by expert manufacturing companies and at-home DIYers.
Melamine edge banding is a highly cost-effective material to use for projects.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Lituo sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
PRI Supply is here for you if you require experts specializing in edge banding. At PRI Supply, our knowledgeable team can help you find exactly what you&#;re looking for. From edge banding and wood veneer sheets to Funder America melamine panels, we have the products you need at affordable prices.
Tell us about your project, and we will walk you through our process from start to finish. Have additional questions on our edge banding? Contact us today or request a free quote to get your project started.
What is edge banding
Edge banding is a kind of PVC material, such as veneer, ABS, acrylic or metal material of 2-5 cm, there are many colors,the process of applying a thin strip of material to the edge of a panel or board to give it a finished appearance and protect the underlying material from damage. Edge banding is mostly used in the furniture industry, and the material of the edge banding can be made of various materials.
The edging process typically involves applying heat and pressure to the edging material to adhere it to the panel or board. This can be done using a variety of tools and techniques, such as edge banders, hand-held edge banders, or heat guns.
How to trim wood edge banding
The cutting of the edge banding requires three steps using a curved edge banding machine.
What is edge banding used for
Edge banding is commonly used in the furniture industry, as well as in the manufacture of cabinets, countertops and other wood or composite products. Manufacture of cabinets, countertops and other wood.
edge banding suppliersHow to install edge banding
Because the inside of the ecological board is solid wood, the sawn edge is smoother than that of the particleboard, so the requirements for the edge banding will be higher. Particleboard is made of solid wood sawdust, so its sawing edges are granular, and because it is uneven, the glue strength after edge sealing is higher than that of ecological boards.
The flat edge banding is heated and melted on the edge banding machine, but the bottom glue requirements of the edge banding are better. This edge banding method is mainly used in factories that produce furniture.
Buckle edge banding, that is, U-shaped edge banding on the market, is suitable for edge banding at the installation site. It uses glass glue or universal glue, so it is more convenient and especially suitable for decoration.
sheet edge bandingCan edge banding be stained
Yes,
How thick is edge banding
There are three specifications of edge banding strips
Edge banding is a material for protecting, decorating and beautifying the cross-section of furniture panels and other panels. It is divided into wooden edge banding, PVC edge banding, melamine edge banding, etc. It is the most basic material in cabinets.
How to apply edge banding to melamine
1.The melamine ecological board is generally made of mechanical edge banding in the factory. The mechanical edge banding is made of hot-melt glue, and the board is mostly made of particle board core, so that the paste is firmer.
2.We make wardrobes on site. Generally, the inner core is a large core board, that is, joinery. The gap between the large core board will cause poor contact between the board and the buckle glue, causing it to fall off.
3.Now the on-site production pushes to use nail-free glue, which is relatively firm, because the original sealant and glass glue are not combined with plastic edge banding at all, and nail-free glue can have better adhesion to plastic.
How to cut edge banding
Rotary cutting: the log is installed in the center of the lathe, and the slicer is inserted into the log at a slight angle
The log is then rotated against a slicing knife to create rotary-cut veneer and veneer edge banding. Rotary cut veneer can provide the whole board surface.
String cutting: also known as flat cutting, flat slice, flat sheet, rotary veneer refers to the parallel line along the center of the log with the slicing knife to cut out wood chips.
The string-cut veneer edge banding cut from the split log, the annual rings in the first layer will form a patterned wood grain.
Quartersaw: Cuts perpendicular to the growth rings of the log, producing straight-grained veneer and veneer edgebanding.
Split-cut: Split-cut veneers are made of various types of oak. The pith rays of oak stretch out from the center of the log like the curved spokes of a wheel.
Cutting cuts the pith rays of the oak at a slight angle to minimize the appearance of scaly wood grains and produce straight-grained veneer.
How to fix edge banding tape
The machine must be preheated for more than 30 minutes when attaching the edge banding. The quality of the glue for attaching the edge banding should be good, and the distance should be controlled in place, so as to avoid the phenomenon that the edge banding is not in place during the production process.
melamine edge bandingHow to make solid wood edge banding
The glue commonly used for edge sealing of panel furniture is yellow glue (neoprene rubber). Glue, and then stick it, and wait for n hours to dry before trimming.
Is edge banding durable
ten years. The service life of the edge banding can reach ten years, which solves to a certain extent that the traditional plate solid sealing strip cannot achieve the functions of moisture-proof and mildew-proof, and the reputation is very good.
Is edge banding paintable
The edge banding can be repainted. The edge banding is divided into machine edge banding and manual edge banding. The machine edge banding is good-looking but not durable. The manual edge banding is not as beautiful as the machine edge banding, but its The durability is far more than that of the machine edge strip.
The edge of the paint-free board cannot be sealed with paint, because the edge of the paint-free board cannot be processed to the smoothness of the solid wood board. Even if it is sprayed with paint, it will not look good. It does not have the effect of edge banding.
pvc edge bandingWhere to buy edge banding
Xilu is a professional manufacturer of edge banding in China, with more than 10 years of experience in sheet metal sales, exported to South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States and other countries, and is favored by customers.
What is pvc edge banding
PVC edge banding is made of polyvinyl chloride resin as the main raw material, adding an appropriate amount of anti-aging agent, stabilizer, calcium carbonate, CPE, dyeing agent, epoxy soybean oil, modifier, etc., after mixing, calendering, vacuum absorption, etc. Thermoplastic coils made of plastic and other processes can be divided into soft PVC and hard PVC.
Does edge banding waterproof melamine
If manual edge banding is used, the quality of waterproof and moisture-proof is generally affected by the skill and seriousness of the porter. To sum up, melamine has moisture-proof performance, but because it is an edge-sealing process, moisture-proof does not mean that it will not be affected by moisture, it can be prevented but not prevented. Humidity in the general environment will not affect the quality and life of furniture.
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