Have you ever seen the making of furniture? Then you may have noticed that wooden boards have a raw edge when cut. If this raw edge is left uncovered, it can cause serious problems for the furniture. Besides looking unsightly and scratching the skin if someone bumps into them, these exposed edges allow moisture to seep in, causing the wood to warp and become lumpy. It is here Edge bands come in and is the only tool to prevent these problems.
Professionals at PVC Edging Service place these edging strips on the end of raw wood boards to cover the ends and thereby seal them against moisture.
Edging – what is it?
Edge banding is nothing more than the process of covering the raw edges of wood panels with a strip of PVC, wood, or resin material. The narrow strips are known as edging. Edge Banding, on a commercial scale, is done using industrial-grade heat applicators and a hot-melt adhesive by professionals at PVC Edging Service. The material most used for modular furniture is PVC, which is quite easy to fix and at the same time has a long life.
Why should your furniture have an edge band?
Engineered wood is mainly used to make modular furniture. As such, the wood is subjected to several treatments to make it resistant to moisture. Wood also has a natural tendency to absorb water. Although this tendency cannot be completely eliminated, it can be reduced to a great extent. Edge Banding serves to protect the wooden panels of your furniture against moisture, thereby minimizing the effects of liquid spills and atmospheric moisture. This in turn increases the strength and durability of the wood. So there’s no need to worry the next time you spill coffee on your table and it drips down the edge. All credits go to Edge Banding to protect the wood.
Is PVC the only material for edging?
You will find some conventional carpenters using teak wood strips to cover the raw edges of wooden boards. PVC, acrylic, wood, or wood veneer are some of the materials that make up Edge Band Tape. However, PVC edging is mostly used for modular furniture. The reason is that PVC is impermeable, which greatly reduces water absorption. There is also a much wider range of shades and colors for modular furniture than the options available for real wood. The only thing that can match the exact shade and finish of your modular panel is PVC strips, thereby creating a seamless look. Also, unlike real wood tape, PVC edging tape used by PVC edging service experts is easier to use on curved surfaces.
So here we will take a look at the main reasons that make PVC a popular choice for edging:
- Edge bands made of PVC are impermeable
- They can be custom-made and also come in a variety of shades and colors.
- You can easily use them on curved surfaces, unlike real wooden strips.
How to apply Edge Banding?
As mentioned before, an edge band is a thin strip of impermeable PVC that is cut to fit the size of a wood panel. It is then applied to the raw edge using a strong adhesive. A heat roller is then used to melt the adhesive and glue the edging tape over the wood. To ensure they cover the wood completely and have no sharp ends, the ends are trimmed flush and bent by those who provide PVC edging services. Posts like any excess glue are scraped off and the finished edge is sanded and this is something that gives a flawless finish. The machine used for the process is popularly known as an Edge Bander.
What is the probability that if edge bands are glued to wood, they will not come off easily?
PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate) and PA (Polyamide) hot melt adhesives are the most commonly used adhesives for edging. These are extremely malleable under high temperatures. These are also tough and durable under low temperatures. They are water resistant and most importantly they are dry-ready. A good furniture supplier will find that their pieces have the best edge and glue so they don’t come off and peel easily. Before making a purchase, you should ask the seller what kind of glue they use for manufacturing.
Key takeaway
You will find a wide abundance of edging tapes available on the market, from 3D acrylic tapes to pre-glued ones. Call a PVC edging service and let them decide what type of material is best for your furniture.