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Applying edging: what types are there and what are the steps?
In recent years, the furniture manufacturing industry has seen an exponential growth in the production of semi-finished products such as chipboard, particleboard or MDF due to the low costs these materials offer compared to solid wood. However, in furniture manufacturing, high demands in terms of design, high quality and visual appearance are essential, therefore, attention must be paid to each stage of the process.
One of the most important operations is the application of edging to the semi-finished boards. Since, after cutting, their edges are not very compact, edgings, or foils made of different materials, must be added, so that the furniture pieces have, in the end, an elegant, pleasant and practical appearance. If you work in this field or plan to open a furniture workshop, discover, below, some useful details regarding the application of edging.
What is cant?
In the past, tables and other furniture were made of solid materials such as stone, solid wood or metal. However, with the advent of plywood and semi-finished wood products, the need to cover the exposed parts of the materials arose to give the final product a solid and valuable appearance. Edging can set design accents, adapt perfectly to the existing surface and even produce unique effects, such as 3D optics.
Edgebanding is a paper, plastic or metal foil used to seal the edges of chipboard, particleboard or MDF boards. After being cut to size, the wood pieces have raw, unfinished, unprotected and generally unsightly edges. To solve this problem in furniture making, edgebanding is used, a narrow edge strip of different thicknesses or colors, which has high impact resistance, but which also increases the durability of the furniture pieces.
What is the role of singing?
If you are a furniture manufacturer, you should know that the application of the edge band is the calling card of your work. As a rule, edge bands have an aesthetic but also a functional purpose. The edge band serves as a de facto seal for the sides of the base material. Even if it is treated, without edges there is a possibility of moisture penetrating, which will lead to deformation of the product and, implicitly, to a significant reduction in its lifespan.
The main role of the edge is to increase the durability and strength of furniture pieces. In addition, the application of the edge is important from an aesthetic point of view because it gives the furniture a special design. A table placed in the center of the living room or a kitchen countertop will be easy to notice if they have an attractive edge, which contributes to their overall beauty. At the same time, the role of the tape applied to the edges of wooden semi-finished products is also a practical one, as it provides more safety. Sharp or rough corners of furniture items can cause serious injuries, especially since there is even a risk of thin chips coming off the product. The edge contributes to increasing the strength and durability, provides extraordinary aesthetics to the finished products and more safety in their use.
What types of edging are used?
The importance of the edge is crucial for furniture pieces. Imagine that you have a superb, elegant product, but, after 1-2 years of use, the edges have peeled off or, in the worst case, moisture has penetrated the material due to the poor protection provided by the edge. Depending on the quality of the chipboard or other types of boards from which the furniture is made, the application of the edge is essential because it can decide the lifespan and appearance of the final pieces. Here are the types of edges that are most often used:
Melamine edging
This type of edging is the cheapest solution, but also the least durable. Melamine is a special paper, saturated and coated with varnish. Although the varnish layer adds some resistance, melamine edging peels off the chipboard quite quickly and offers poor protection against moisture. It is also easily scratched, susceptible to mechanical action, water and moisture, has very low resistance and is preferable to be used where there is not much traffic.
PVC edge
Less commonly found lately, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) edging is made of a hard, but not brittle, plastic that absorbs shocks and resists friction. Its resistance is quite high over time, but PVC edging is also susceptible to moisture and steam, which can infiltrate the space between the strip and the edge of the chipboard. Since the application of PVC edging does not allow for perfect joints at 90-degree angles, it is not recommended for furniture pieces that have corners. For example, in the case of a door, the corners will be unsightly, because a PVC edging does not support finishing. However, it can be used successfully in the case of completely round tables or other pieces with rounded edges.
Unlike melamine edging, PVC edging is more durable and scratch-resistant. PVC edging comes in two types: plain and coated, meaning it has edges that are folded over both sides of the board. Be aware that it is a more expensive type of edging, and if you are concerned about the environment, be aware that it is not recyclable or biodegradable.
ABS edge
Also made from plastic, but harder than PVC, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) edging is the one that we can say ennobles semi-finished wood products. It is a very popular thermoplastic polymer and also an ecological material. ABS edging has a low density, does not contain chlorine, is fireproof, malleable, reacts well to heat and high temperatures and can be completely recycled. When cooled, ABS edging becomes rigid.
ABS edging is the type that furniture manufacturers use very often due to the many advantages it offers. In addition to having an elegant appearance and looking very good, whether we are talking about the matte or glossy version, ABS edging is hard to scratch, lasts over time, offers good protection against moisture, can be finished after application to obtain a more attractive design and can be used both on thin boards (doors, shelves, shelves, cabinet walls, etc.) and on thick kitchen countertops. ABS edging is considered a mandatory accessory for kitchen and bathroom furniture due to the moisture conditions existing in these spaces.
Aluminum edge
Aluminum is a metal with excellent mechanical properties and has led to revolutions in many areas of technology. With very high mechanical strength, high durability, corrosion resistance and extraordinary hardness, this material is used for edging applied especially to kitchen furniture. We are talking about a material that can be recycled an unlimited number of times, which retains its characteristics over time and is non-toxic.
Veneer edge
Made from thin slices of wood that are pre-sanded and laminated, veneer edging is a great match for the look of wood. Typically, this type of edging is available in oak, maple, ash, walnut, mahogany and birch. It offers a clean, solid wood look and is pre-sanded to easily absorb stains. Attractive, durable and quite strong, veneer edging does have one major drawback: it is not heat-resistant and does not perform very well under heavy use.
What does applying edging entail?
Edgebanding can be applied in different ways, depending on the type. Of course, the quality, durability, strength, waterproofness and design of the final product depend on how the edgebanding was done and the material the edgeband is made of. Here are some methods for attaching strips to the edges of wooden blanks:
Applying the edge using a hot air source
This method is used, in particular, for melamine edging and is done manually. As a rule, melamine can be applied with a special hair dryer, with hot air, or with the help of an iron. It is then pressed very well, with an object that does not scratch it. In certain cases, if we are talking about a thermoadhesive ABS edging, this can also be applied with a hot air source.
Applying the edge banding by pressing
Generally, this type of installation is used for PVC edgebanding, which is applied without adhesive, in a groove milled in the edge of the chipboard. More precisely, beforehand, a border is made in the edge of the material, after which the PVC edgeband is attached, by pressing. Once installed, it does not require additional finishing. However, in the absence of an adhesive, the chipboard is not very well protected against steam and water infiltration, so, to obtain a better seal on the edge of the material, you can apply silicone.
Applying the edge banding with a special machine
The simplest way to apply edge banding correctly is to use an edgebanding machine. Unlike PVC edging, ABS edging can only be applied with a dedicated edgebanding machine, by bonding it with hot-melt adhesive and pressing it at high temperatures, of approximately 200 degrees Celsius. In addition, ABS edging can also be finished after application. An automatic edgebanding machine helps you meet all requirements regarding appearance, design, quality, durability and efficiency. Such a machine can be used to apply ABS edging, as well as melamine or veneer edging, for example.
The category of edgebanding machines is divided into portable and stationary machines. Portable models include an electric motor and an adhesive tank. They are compact machines that do not require costly maintenance and can be used successfully in small and medium-sized workshops. Stationary machines are intended primarily for large workshops and furniture factories. They can be equipped with a larger number of accessories, namely pre-milling cutters, trimming cutters for removing excess material, a power feed, etc.
The importance of the edging application stage is huge because a correct implementation ensures the quality of the resulting furniture, a flawless appearance, as well as an extended lifespan. Without a doubt, automated application is the best method, and choosing the right edging makes the difference between a well-finished piece of furniture and one of questionable quality.
