5 Things to consider when matching your PVC edgebanding

The Ultimate Guide to Edge Banding

What is Edge Banding?

Edge banding is both a type of material and a process. As a material, it functions as a narrow decorative strip coated with adhesive on one side, used to seal the edges of woodwork. It enhances the appearance of a piece of wood or plywood on the outside and creates a seal that helps protect exposed edges from dents and harmful elements like water or debris. Edge banding is the process of covering the exposed sides of materials such as plywood, particleboard, or MDF with a thin strip of material.

What's the purpose of edge banding?

The primary purpose of edge banding is to give a seamless and clean appearance to the edges of furniture and cabinetry. It also helps to protect the edges from moisture, impact, and other forms of wear and tear.

Where do we apply edge banding?

In furniture, you can expect to find edge banding in various areas depending on the material specifications. Here's a breakdown:

1. Solid Wood Products: Typically, edge banding is not used in solid wood products, except in areas where solid wood cannot be used. For example, wardrobe doors are often made of veneer core plywood or MDF, which require edge banding.

2. High Pressure Laminate Tops: Even when solid wood is used for case sides and drawer fronts, many customers opt for high pressure laminate tops, which require edge banding.

3. Plywood or Laminate Material Specifications: If your furniture is constructed using plywood or laminate, edge banding is necessary to finish the edges and provide a clean, seamless look.

Overall, edge banding is essential for areas where the edges of the furniture are exposed or need protection, regardless of the primary material used in the construction.

What Products Don’t Require Edge Banding?

Edge banding is commonly applied to the exterior edges and sides of drawers and cabinets. These areas are highly visible and exposed to air, moisture, and dust, making edge banding essential for protection and aesthetics.

On the other hand, areas like cabinet backs or drawer bottoms typically do not require edge banding. This is because their raw edges are usually hidden or embedded in attached pieces within dado grooves. Leaving these areas unbanded is also a cost-effective approach, as the exposed edges are not easily visible.

How is Edge Banding Applied?

The installation process for edge banding varies depending on the material and type of banding used. However, it generally involves heating the banding with a hot iron or adhesive, applying it to the edge of the material, and then trimming and sanding the excess banding.

Different Types of Edge Banding

There are several types of edge banding available, each with its own unique properties and applications. you can click here for detail of Different Kinds of Edge Banding

PVC Edge Banding

PVC edge banding is one of the most popular types of edge banding due to its durability and affordability. It is available in a wide range of colors and finishes, making it suitable for a variety of applications.

Due to its excellent processing performance, PVC edge banding is most commonly used in the furniture industry for production.

PVC edge banding is particularly popular in modular furniture because it is very durable, easy to maintain, and has a long service life.

It does not require any type of finishing process. Repairs are also simple but time-consuming.

However, PVC is not recyclable. Once it loses its gloss, it cannot be repaired.

When it comes to PVC, we generally prefer 3mm edge banding because it is cleaner, faster, and has stronger adhesion.

Another benefit is that you can achieve a beautiful, smooth surface and elegant radii.

In general, we try to avoid 5mm edge banding because the edges can become sharp.

Solid Wood

Solid wood remains a preferred choice for case good tops in many woodworking circles. It offers durability, recyclability, easy repair and refinishing, strength, stiffness, and cost-effectiveness.

Benefits of solid wood include its resistance to chipping, which is superior to veneer edge tape. Solid wood glues are more reliable and less likely to peel compared to veneer and PVC. Additionally, solid wood provides extra dimensional support to plywood and MDF. Manufacturing solid wood is also climate-neutral.

However, solid wood is challenging to use for curved surfaces.

We offer solid wood edge banding for tops in various thicknesses, suitable for internal or external application.

For solid wood, we recommend a thickness of 9.5mm for case good tops.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Lituo.

ABS Edge Banding

ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is a plastic edge banding material produced from ABS resins, unlike its more common counterpart, PVC. In efforts to be more environmentally friendly, many regions around the world, including Europe, are opting for ABS, Polypropylene, and Polyester edge banding (discussed below) over PVC due to their stricter environmental standards.

Best Uses
ABS is particularly popular in healthcare and educational furniture, which are two of the largest markets for this material due to its eco-friendly attributes.

Advantages
- Recyclable
- Thermally resilient
- Versatile in color, finish, and texture
- Environmentally friendly

Laser Edgebanding or Zero-Joint Edgebanding

Zero-joint edge banding is a process where a pre-applied, co-extruded polymer functional layer attaches to the board without the need for glue.

The functional layer dissolves and fuses the edge band to the board when activated by a laser, hot air, or NIR edge bander.

Unlike glue adhesive techniques, zero-joint applications require only the joining of two items: the edge band and the board.

Despite its simplicity, zero-joint edge banding is a sophisticated adhesion technique with significant advantages.

Zero-joint edge banding allows the wood and the edge band to appear as one solid surface, enhancing the overall look of meticulously designed spaces inside the house.

By creating a monolithic look, zero-joint edge banding makes the board and edge band appear as a single solid surface.

Zero-joint edge banding not only eliminates the need for glue pot maintenance but also eliminates splatter or glue problems within edge banders.

Working with glue slows down the production process, requiring pre-heating and shutdowns, and can lead to operator burns—all of which can be avoided by using zero-joint edge banding.

Wood Veneer

Wood veneer is a popular edge banding material for plywood cabinet sides, drawer fronts, and MDF wardrobe doors. It consists of thin slices of wood, such as oak, maple, ash, walnut, birch, and mahogany, joined together in a roll using finger jointing.

Wood veneer typically has a heat-sensitive glue backing and is available in various thicknesses, so it's essential to choose the right one for the application.

Pros: Wood veneer is attractive, durable, and strong. It provides a clean, solid-wood look and is pre-sanded to absorb stains and finishes, seamlessly matching your wood.

Cons: Wood veneer is not heat resistant, so it should be kept away from heaters. It also doesn't perform well in high-use environments.

Conductive edge banding strip

Conductive edge banding is a specialized type of edge banding that is designed to provide electrical conductivity along the edges of materials.

The Lituo conductive edge banding strip, made from PVC or ABS. It offers excellent anti-static properties with a conductivity range of 10^6 to 10^9, making it ideal for raised floors, calcium sulfate boards, and wood core boards.

Edge Banding Sizes: Thin, Medium, and Thick Options

Edge banding is available in a variety of thicknesses, including thin, medium, and thick options. The thickness you choose will depend on the application and the look you want to achieve.

- Thin edge banding (0.5mm to 1mm) is ideal for furniture and cabinetry where a seamless finish is desired.
- Medium edge banding (1mm to 2mm) is suitable for applications where durability and impact resistance are important.
- Thick edge banding (2mm to 3mm) is commonly used in heavy-duty applications where maximum protection is required.

As an edge banding strip manufacturer, Lituo provides you with edge banding strips with thicknesses ranging from 0.4mm to 3mm to meet your different needs.

Additional considerations

Peeling

Edge banding is crucial for most campus and dorm furniture, but if not applied correctly, it can lead to significant maintenance issues. One common problem is peeling, which can occur due to adhesive failure or rough use. For instance, using 0.5mm edging in high-impact areas can cause it to peel.

Cost

PVC edge banding is recommended for budget-driven projects because it involves fewer manufacturing steps and uses less expensive raw materials. On the other hand, solid wood edge banding is more expensive due to its labor-intensive process and higher-quality material.

Adhesives

A hot melt glue is preferred for edge banding due to its ease of use and effective sealing properties. Ambient temperature is critical for the process, requiring a warm environment for optimal adhesion. Additionally, a clean glue edge is essential for successful bonding, which is achieved using state-of-the-art machinery.

Trimming And Finishing Edges

After applying and allowing the edge banding to set, the subsequent steps involve trimming and finishing. Typically, there will be excess edge banding that needs to be trimmed off.

Using an edge trimmer helps create a clean and smooth finish. However, it's important to avoid applying too much pressure during trimming to prevent denting or damaging the workpiece.

To achieve a smooth finish, sanding the edges after trimming is necessary. Filing and using sandpaper to polish any rough edges will result in a clean and professional-looking project outcome.

Edge Banding For Curved Surfaces And Corners

Edge banding can be applied to curved surfaces and corners with some patience and care. Flexible edge banding materials, such as PVC, are suitable for these applications. It's important to firmly press and adhere the edge banding to avoid gaps or detached areas. While it may take a few attempts to master the technique, the result is well worth the effort.

Conclusion

The above is the basic knowledge of edge banding. By understanding the different types of edge banding available and choosing the right thickness for your project, you can achieve a professional finish that will stand the test of time.

If you need experts who specialize in edge banding, Lituo is at your service. At Lituo, our knowledgeable team can help you find exactly what you're looking for. From PVC edge banding and conductive edge banding, we provide the products you need at affordable prices.

Tell us about your project and we'll guide you through the process from start to finish. Have any other questions about our edge banding? Contact us today or request a free quote to get your project started.