Edge banding is a strip of material — PVC, ABS, acrylic, melamine or wood veneer — bonded to the cut edge of a panel. It seals the core against moisture, covers the raw edge and takes the knocks that would otherwise chip the face.
Thickness is the whole argument
Banding comes in 0.4 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm. The 0.4 mm tape is a foil: it covers the edge but has no impact resistance, and one knock from a chair leg or a trolley will cut through it. It is appropriate for the inside of a wardrobe and almost nowhere else.
1 mm is the working standard for carcass panels. 2 mm is used on door edges and exposed shelves, where the edge is handled daily. 3 mm is reserved for benchtop edges and heavy commercial work, and it changes the panel size — the band adds to the finished dimension, so it has to be allowed for in the cutting list.
| Thickness | Impact resistance | Typical use | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 mm | Very low | Wardrobe interiors, unseen edges | Lowest |
| 1 mm | Moderate | Carcass panels, shelves | Baseline |
| 2 mm | High | Door edges, open shelving | +20–30% |
| 3 mm | Very high | Benchtops, commercial | +40–60% |
The glue line is where it fails
Two adhesives dominate: EVA hot melt and PUR (reactive polyurethane). EVA is cheaper, faster and reversible — which is the problem. It softens again at roughly 70–90 °C, so a banded edge near an oven, a dishwasher or a kettle can lift. It also takes up water at the glue line over time.
PUR cures by reacting with moisture and cannot be re-melted. It holds through heat cycles and is effectively waterproof at the joint. On wet-area carcasses and on any edge within a metre of a heat source, PUR is the specification worth paying for — the cost difference is small against replacing a door.
The three details nobody checks
Trim quality. A band that is trimmed proud leaves a line you can feel; trimmed too far, it exposes the core. Both are visible in raking light and neither can be fixed after packing.
Corner treatment. Square corners are faster; radiused corners survive knocks. On door edges, ask for the corner to be radiused at 1–2 mm.
Sealing the ends. The end of a band, where it meets a perpendicular panel, is an open capillary. A dab of sealant or a properly mitred return is the difference between a two-year edge and a ten-year one.
Frequently asked questions
Is 0.4 mm edge banding acceptable?
On interior partitions and hidden edges, yes. On any edge that gets handled, no — it cuts through on impact and cannot be repaired invisibly. 1 mm is the practical minimum for a carcass.
EVA or PUR glue?
PUR for wet areas, heat-adjacent edges and anything specified to last. EVA is fine for dry interior work where cost matters more than service life.
Can edge banding be replaced?
Yes, on a straight edge — the old band is machined off and a new one applied. On a radiused or post-formed edge it is usually a door replacement.
Does banding add to the panel size?
Yes. A 2 mm band adds 2 mm per banded edge to the finished dimension. Cutting lists have to allow for it or every cabinet comes out undersized.
