What Is Edge Banding?
Edge banding is a thin strip of PVC, ABS, wood veneer or melamine paper glued over the raw edge of a board, so that plywood, MDF or particle board looks finished and resists knocks and moisture. Almost every panel in a melamine or plywood cabinet has at least one banded edge. It comes in rolls, either plain or pre-glued for ironing on. For the other ways to hide an edge, see how to finish plywood edges.
Types of edge banding
| Type | Thickness | Looks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | 0.4–2 mm | Matches melamine colours and wood decors | Melamine furniture, kitchens |
| ABS | 0.4–2 mm | Like PVC, chlorine-free | Same uses as PVC |
| Melamine paper | 0.3–0.6 mm | Thin, can chip | Cheap iron-on, hidden edges |
| Wood veneer | 0.5–0.6 mm | Real wood, can be stained | Plywood and veneered MDF |
| Solid wood edging | 3–10 mm | Solid wood edge, can be shaped | Shelves, tops, doors that take knocks |
Thin banding (0.4–0.5 mm) suits hidden and inside edges; 1–2 mm PVC is tougher and is used on fronts, doors and worktops. Professional shops apply it with an edge bander and hot-melt glue; at home, pre-glued banding and an iron do the job.
Which edges to band
- Doors and drawer fronts: all four edges.
- Sides, shelves, bottoms: the front edge, and any other edge that stays visible.
- Not: back edges against the wall and edges hidden inside a joint.
Band the edges before you assemble the furniture, while the parts lie flat. On doors, band the two short edges first and the long edges last, so the long strips cover the ends of the short ones from the front.
How to apply iron-on edge banding
- Cut the strip about 1 in (25 mm) longer than the edge.
- Set the iron to cotton, without steam. Lay the strip glue side down, overhanging both faces.
- Iron slowly along the edge, a few inches at a time, until the glue melts and darkens slightly.
- Press it down right behind the iron with a J-roller or a block of wood, while the glue is hot.
- Trim the ends flush with a sharp chisel or an end cutter, cutting towards the board.
- Trim the faces with an edge banding trimmer, or a sharp chisel or file held at a slight angle.
- Ease the edges with 180-grit sandpaper on a block, so they are not sharp.
If a spot lifts later, warm it with the iron and press it down again. Non-glued banding goes on with contact cement on both surfaces instead.
Solid wood edging
For shelves and worktops that take knocks, glue on a strip of solid wood 3–10 mm thick (1/8–3/8 in), slightly wider than the board, then plane or rout it flush. A deeper strip on the front of a shelf, 3/4 × 1 1/2 in, also stops it sagging: see the shelf sag calculator.
How much banding to buy
Add up the length of every banded edge and add about 10% for trimming and mistakes. Our calculator adds it up from your parts list, edge by edge:
Our furniture plans mark the banded edges of every part, so the total comes with the cut list:
Frequently asked questions
What is edge banding made of?
PVC or ABS plastic for melamine furniture, paper impregnated with melamine resin for cheap iron-on tape, and real wood veneer for plywood. Solid wood strips are the thickest kind.
Can you stain edge banding?
Wood veneer banding, yes: sand it lightly and stain it with the plywood, keeping glue off the surface. PVC, ABS and melamine banding cannot be stained.
What temperature for iron-on edge banding?
A household iron on the cotton setting, without steam, melts the hot-melt glue on pre-glued banding. Move it slowly and press the strip down with a roller while it is still hot.
What width edge banding do I need?
A little wider than the board: 22 mm for 18–19 mm board, 13/16 or 7/8 in for 3/4 in plywood. The extra is trimmed flush after gluing.