FAQ's
Will I need an edging for my worktop?
Sealing a laminate worktop edge is an essential part of the job, this is due to the amount of water and moisture within a kitchen. If water or moisture does get into the worktop core, it won’t be long before the chipboard expands with moisture. Your worktop will then most likely be ruined to the point where it needs to be replaced.
The front edge of the worktop known as the postformed edge is already wrapped in laminate. Square edge worktops have an ABS edging covering the front. An edging strip is usually only fitted where the worktop has been cut on the ends leaving the chipboard exposed. It then needs to be covered.
Breakfast bars are normally already covered on the two long edges as standard. Brands can differ; some breakfast bars are covered on just the two long edges and some brands cover the two long and one short. It is advisable to check the product description within the brochure so you know how much edging needs to be purchased if your brand of worktop does not supply one within the packaging.
TopShape worktops for example, not only offer a bespoke made-to-measure service but they also pre-edge their ready-made worktops. They also have laminate coverage on both the top and bottom of the worktop. So it really can differ from brand to brand
A worktop being fitted wall to wall does not normally require an edging strip but one can be applied if you want to give the worktop added protection. By adding the edging strip it then seals the chipboard giving it added moisture protection should your sealant fail over time.
Postformed worktops: most post-formed laminate worktops do have an edging strip included within the packaging of the worktops, however, not all manufacturers include them. Duropal worktops for example do not include edging strips within the packaging but they can be purchased if required.
How to purchase edging strip. If there is an option to purchase an edging strip in the drop-down menu with the worktops, this normally indicates that the edging strip is not included in the worktop packaging. This information is usually also found in the product description. You would simply add an edging strip and any other items to the basket with your worktop purchase.
A laminate edging strip is usually 4 metres long depending on the length of the worktop and around £10.00 to purchase.
Square edge worktops, however, do not include the edging, regardless of the brand.
The edging for these worktops is called ABS edge banding, or PP edging.
ABS edging is made of ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol) and is uniformly coloured. A universal bonding agent is applied to the reverse side as standard. ABS has a more plastic feel to it, unlike the standard edging which is a thin layer of the laminate sheeting cut into a strip.
ABS edging is more expensive than a standard edging strip and therefore is not included free with the worktops. ABS edging is normally available to purchase in metre lengths. The price of a 1 metre ABS edging is usually priced around £10.00
Examples of worktops that do not include or require edging:
Duropal laminate worktops - Additional purchase for both post-formed and square edge.
Square edge laminate worktops - ABS edging is not included but can be purchased with the worktop.
Solid surface worktops - These worktops are mainly solid all the way through, so no edging is needed. Maia and Earthstone worktops, however, comprise a solid surface material on top of a chipboard core. In theory, they are the same as a laminate worktop. Once cut to size, the core will be visible, therefore an edging will be required to cover it before or after fixing the worktop in place.
Compact laminate worktops - no edging needed - These worktops are solid all the way through.
Splashbacks and upstands - Edging is not usually supplied with splashbacks and upstands. A standard worktop edging however can be trimmed and used to cover the cut ends. Silicone or other kinds of kitchen trim is usually used, all of which are available from most DIY stores.