The process of sealing the raw, exposed edges of wood panels with lipping is called edge banding. Edge banding or edging has wide use in furniture making process; thus, making lipping is one of the critical sorts for materials for the furniture sector. Edge banding is also commonly used in carpentry as an end process to tidy up rough edges and ensure that the finished product is durable and constructed to a high standard.
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If you have observed furniture being made, you might have noticed that the wood panels have a raw, exposed edge when cut to size. This natural edge, if left unprotected, can pose severe problems for the furniture. The exposed edges of the wood panel allow moisture to seep in, making them warp and become uneven or swell, which in turn significantly reduces the furniture life span. It is also very damaging to appearance.
Typically, a lipping or edge band is a thin tape of impermeable PVC, acrylic or ABS material cut to fit the size of wood-based panel materials such as plywood, particleboard or MDF. The lipping is then applied on the exposed edge using a strong adhesive. Commercially, edge banding is completed using industry-grade machines called edge banders and a hot-melt adhesive. For flatpack and modular furniture, the material used is mostly PVC which is easy to fix and has a long life.
Lipping can be sourced in 200 metres rolls, and the thickness of the tape may vary. The width will also be quite different, depending upon the requirement of the customer. At Meru Timber, edge banding is available in various thickness ranges ranging from 0.45mm, 1mm, and even beyond that.
The thicker lipping is used in high traffic and commercial settings because it provides greater resilience and impact resistance. For example, the doors and drawer fronts may require a thicker 1mm PVC lipping for maximum impact resistance. Typically, a lipping or edge band is a thin tape of impermeable PVC, acrylic or ABS material cut to fit the size of a wood panel. The lipping is then applied on the exposed edge using a strong adhesive.
Modular furniture is made using wood-based panels. As such, the wood is handled and made resistant to moisture by treatments. Nevertheless, wood has a natural inclination to absorb moisture. This trend cannot be eradicated &#; it can only be reduced. The lipping protects the wooden panels in your furniture from moisture, therefore reducing the effects of atmospheric humidity and liquid spills. That means that the strength and durability of the wood increase. So, the next time you spill the tea on your table, and it drips down the edge, thank the edge banding for protecting the wood.
Notably, edge banding serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. Functionally, lipping performs some essential duties for your furniture. First, it holds moisture out, serving as a de facto seal on the edge of the core material. Second, edge banding increases strength and resilience by providing shock protection. Aesthetically, edge banding covers unsightly rough edges and creates a glossy finish to match your tops and sides. You can also develop radial edges to soften sharp angles.
There are various edge banding materials available in the market to choose from. Edge band tape can be made from PVC, ABS acrylic, PP, PMMA, PET, Laser, wood or wood veneer. But, we will focus on two common materials: PVC and ABS. PVC is the most popular material for edge banding.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) lipping materials are made from thermoplastic gum and are soft and long-lasting. PVC lipping is most popular in the construction of Laminated And Melamine cabinets and furniture. PVC Lipping is noted for its wide variety of colour matches to Laminate and Melamine board manufacturers. With Europe style modular cabinets on the rise, it is not uncommon to see cabinets with glossy or colourful finishes. Pigments and other materials are added to produce ostensibly endless edge banding colours, textures and natural wood grains. You are assured of finding a match once you choose your Board laminate!
PVC edge banding is very popular for modular furniture as it is incredibly durable, simple to fix, and has an extremely long life. Therefore, the PVC edge band is the most preferred edge band model. That is because the material is impermeable, which means that it reduces water absorption to a large extend.
Furthermore, modular furniture comes in a much wider variety of colours and shades than the possibilities available with real natural wood. PVC lipping can be produced to resemble your modular panel&#;s exact shade and finish, thus creating a seamless look. Also, as compared to natural wood bands, PVC are easier to use on curved surfaces.
So, in essence, the main reasons that PVC is such a popular choice for edge banding are:
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) shares most PVC characteristics, but ABS is lower in density and does not include chlorine in its composition. Edge bands made of ABS are Eco friendly, recyclable and thermally resilient, meaning it&#;s safe to incinerate. Lipping made of these materials are available in various colours, finishes and textures, offering you the versatility to pick a colour that best resembles your interior.
Whether you are a Fundi or DIY hobbyist, looking for quality edge banding can require an extra effort toward achieving the look and value of your Furniture. That is why you should seek professionals for their expertise and guidance in selecting the correct width, thickness, and colour shed.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Adhesive Edge Banding. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
We at Meru Timber can assist you with making those critical selections! We use top-quality, commercially available lipping with 90 different colours currently in stock. Additionally, we offer a diverse range of finishes and patterns to choose from &#; You just name it; we have got you covered. And, if it&#;s pre-finished you&#;re looking for, we&#;ve got that too! The consistency of our products speak for itself, and we are eager for you to notice our quality. Our PVC lipping materials are designed to match current popular melamine boards such as Timsales, Comply, PG Bison and Rai plywood. We aim to offer a One-Stop-Shop and make your life easy&#;
Generally speaking, we recommend PVC lipping for projects where budget is the primary factor. That is not to say there is anything wrong with this material, far from that. There are just fewer levels in the production process, and the raw material is less costly. And with more steps required in the production process, we consider this a premium solution.
It is also essential to use the right lipping for a particular material to ensure strength, durability, and precision. When it comes to PVC, we recommend 1mm lipping because it runs cleaner, faster, and with superior adhesion. Thus, an added benefit is that you get a smooth radius and a piece of nice soft-looking furniture.
Edging adhesive, also known as hot-melt glue, is a form of thermoplastic adhesive. Using the suitable adhesive for the job is essential to ensure your edge banding goes on and stays on and that you don&#;t make a mess of your project. However, using the wrong glue in the wrong way could spell disaster!
We choose to use a hot melt glue for our adhesive solution because it&#;s user friendly and provides an excellent seal. We apply the glue to the edge while still hot and then apply the banding, pressing it to the side.
The two main Choices of hot melt glues are EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and PUR (Polyurethane). Each has its advantages and disadvantages depending on your project and the material you are working with.
The machine that is used for this process is called an edge bander. The Edge bander machine applies the lipping to the raw edges of the wood panels with hot-melt glue. Edge banding machines can process lipping up to 3 mm thick and up to 50 mm wide. The ends are trimmed flush and bent to cover the wood and do not have any sharp corners at the edges. Any excess adhesive is scraped off, and the finished edge is buffed to give a perfect, seamless finish.
How unsightly would it be if the edges of your kitchen cabinets and countertops were left raw and unfinished? Fortunately, we don&#;t have to spend much time thinking about this since there&#;s a process called edge banding to thank for those smooth, finished edges.
What Is Edge Banding?
Edge banding refers to both the process and the strip of material used for creating aesthetically pleasing trim around unfinished edges of plywood, particle board or MDF. It&#;s easy to spot edge banding all around you, from the desks and tables at your work to the cabinetry and countertops in your kitchen. Edge banding increases durability of these constructions, giving them a high-end, quality appearance.
Edge banding is made from various types of materials, including:
&#; PVC
&#; ABS
&#; Acrylic
&#; Wood
&#; Wood veneer
How Is Edge Banding Applied?
High-volume, industrial manufacturers apply edge banding to the substrate with an automated process that uses a hot melt adhesive. Two types of machines are typically seen; machines equipped with roller applicators and those that come with spray nozzle applicators. The process involves bonding the edge banding to the substrate, trimming all overlapping edges so that they are flush to the substrate, scrapping excess material, and buffing the finished edge.
Edge banding requires versatility in terms of adhesive application. The temperature of the room as well as the substrate affects adhesion. For this reason, we recommend that substrates and surrounding areas be 64°F or higher during application. Since edge banding is made from many different materials, it is important to select a hot melt that offers the versatility and capability of being able to bond a variety of substrates.
Are you interested in learning more about PVC Edge Banding? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!