What is Edge Banding?

Edge banding is commonly used in home decorating. It is a veneer product comprised of strips of covering and sold in rolls. An extrusion manufacturing process allows it to be made in different widths and thicknesses to match any project, whether it is solid, wood grain, metallic, or patterned. Therefore, rolls are available in a variety of types and sizes. Some of the sizes include 5/8 inch (1.6 cm), 3/4 inch (1.9 cm), 7/8 inch (2.2 cm), and 2 inch (5.1 cm) widths, as well as 8 foot (2.4 m), 25 foot (7.6 m), 50 foot (15 m), and 250 foot (76 m) lengths.

This veneer is commonly used with wood projects and intended to help the user change the style and look of the grain in the wood. A plywood table, for example, can be changed to look like maple walnut with the help of edge banding.

Edge banding is available in thin strips. It is easy to cut to shape in order to fit the project. When applying it, it is best to cut it into larger pieces first. This way, it is easier to trim the veneer down to fit if a placement mistake occurs. A clean and smooth surface is required before applying it. If dust and sand residue are on the surface, the edge banding may not stick to the surface properly.

There are three ways to attach edge banding to a project. One is a self-sticking method, similar to applying wallpaper. The other method of applying it is to press it on with a low temperature clothing iron. To avoid getting glue on the iron, aluminum foil should be placed between the project and the iron. The final method is to coat it and the project surface with contact cement. The two materials instantly bond when they are pressed together with the help of a roller.

A sanding block is the ideal tool to use when finishing an edge banding project. Since the material is so thin, a more abrasive method can file right through it when trying to smooth out rough spots.