What is Edgebanding?
Plywood and other composite board materials are extraordinarily useful for their versatility and durability. Craftsmen of all industries have found countless applications for these materials. However, they have their drawbacks and limitations.One of the chief problems with composite board materials is that their edges are unsightly, as they reveal the multiple layers of material of which the board itself is made, and vulnerable to damage, as these exposed layers of fibers are prone to absorb moisture. The solution to these problems is luckily quite simple: Edgebanding.
Edgebanding is a thin strip of material used to cover those exposed edges of composite boards. (The term "edgebanding" also refers to the process of applying the material to the edges of the boards, just as the term "framing" in construction refers to the act of constructing the basic structure of the building and to the material of the structure.); Edgebanding can be made either of synthetic material (PVC, ABS, vinyl, etc.) or one or more layers of natural wood veneer. These materials are made into long strips of varying widths and thicknesses, which are then stored in large rolls until they are needed for a project.
Why Use Veneer Edgebanding?
Beauty
Wood veneer edge banding has a number of advantages over synthetic options. One major selling point for natural wood veneer edgebanding is its beauty. Synthetic products cannot compete with the elegance of mother nature. Since wood veneer edgebanding is composed of thin strips of solid wood, all of the natural elements of the wood can shine, adding depth and charm to the project. All of the grains of the wood, the natural variation in color, the shimmering iridescence, and more are present even in almost paper thin veneers. Veneer edgebanding is available in countless species of wood to match virtually any project.
Solid Wood Look
Because of these natural qualities, the veneers do an excellent job of hiding the edges of the board from the observer’s eye. Although a plywood board is not fully "natural," in that it has been artificially flattened and made out of many thin layers, its surface is also one solid sheet of wood veneer. When a natural veneer is used for edgebanding, and applied effectively, the finished product can easily give off the illusion of being one solid piece of wood. Unlike synthetic edgebanding, it can be sanded, stained and oiled exactly like any other piece of wood, and so it can be made to perfectly match the board it is applied to. With synthetic edgebanding, what you see is what you get: you’ll need to pick a color to match whatever project you are working on.
Cost Effective Option
A craftsman might choose to use high quality plywood and veneer edgebanding and create a beautiful product with a very natural aesthetic, while spending much less money than he or she would have on solid wooden boards. Veneer edgebanding is very inexpensive, and when used well it can give a tremendously professional finish to any project.
Durable
Veneer edge banding is available from 0.5mm up to 3mm in thickness. The thicker rolls are made of multiple veneers glued together, just like plywood. These thick edgebands are remarkably tough and durable. If they are dented, chipped, or otherwise damaged, they can be sanded and refinished. However, as the thicker styles are composed of multiple thin veneers, one must be careful not to sand through the outer layer and expose the next layer, which has grains running contrary to the first.
Tips and Tricks to Working with Veneer Edgebanding
Veneer Edgebanding is very easy to work with and apply to your project. If you are a DIY hobbyist or small-time cabinetmaker, expensive and specialized equipment is not necessary for installation. With a little bit of practice, your work will be hard to distinguish from that of the professionals–but they can do it much faster with machinery.
Choose the Right Edgebanding
Once you have chosen the species of wood veneer edgebanding to match your project, you will need to choose the backing style. The three main options are Pre-Glued, Automatic, or PSA.
Pre-glued veneer edgebanding is backed with a hot-melt adhesive. This means that it can be stored in rolls until use, and then permanently applied to the board edge with heat. This can be done with an edgebanding iron, but it works just as well with a regular clothing iron. This edgebanding is perfect for a single project, or for occasional projects done in a small scale cabinet shop. It is extremely easy to work with, easy to store, and will produce a high quality product.
Automatic edgebanding is used in an edgebanding machine. It is backed with a non-woven fabric which serves to add integrity to the veneer and provide a good surface for the adhesive. If you intend to produce edgebanding products at a large scale, a high quality edgebander is an absolutely vital investment. These machines vastly increase the speed and consistency of edgebanding work. The edgebanding roll is placed into the machine, which applies glue to the back of the roll and to the edge of the board as the board passes through. Some machines even trim, sand, and finish the edgebanding in one pass.
PSA stands for pressure-sensitive adhesive. This edgebanding is also referred to as "peel and stick." The rolls of veneer are backed with an adhesive that will bond to the board surfaces when firmly pressed on. The adhesive is covered with a plastic layer to prevent the roll from sticking to itself. This plastic is peeled off prior to application, hence the name. Peel and stick edgebanding is not commonly used in professional applications, as its bond is not as trustworthy as hot-melt glue, but its extreme ease of use gives it some appeal.
Tools
There are a number of tools involved in the process of edgebanding. Some of them are optional, and others are not, but there is one aspect that is true across the board: all of the tools must be of the highest quality available!; If you want to make your life as a cabinetmaker (or woodworker of any sort) much, much easier, make sure to stock yourself well with reliable equipment. At every stage of the edgebanding process, tools in poor shape or of poor quality can seriously hinder production or negatively affect the finished product. Check out our article on the tools required for veneer edge banding to get an in-depth look at the process.
Research & Full Interview with Bob @ Frama-Tech
I had the privilege of speaking with Bob Jablonski, who serves Frama-Tech as veneer edgebanding purchaser, and who has been in the fine woodworking industry for decades. The wisdom that Bob and other veterans like him have is priceless, and all young artisans should do their darndest to spend time in the shops of wise teachers. I have spent time working and learning in a good number of these shops.
"You can get whatever widths you want with Frama-Tech"
Bob Jablonski
These days, when a master woodworker is hard to find, it’s no excuse for the young artisan not to be learning: look it up! There are innumerable artists sharing their skills and knowledge on the internet, and we would all do well to keep our eyes open for inspirations. Online blogs like Woodworker Express and the Journal of Light Construction are a great place to start, and Youtube is an amazing resource for new knowledge.
Hopefully this article helps to inspire your creativity, too! Grab some tools, draw some plans, and go make something beautiful today!
