How To Edge Band Your IKEA Countertops For A Seamless Custom Finish

When you're renovating your home on a budget, you might visit Ikea to find the most affordable furniture pieces to avoid overspending on custom items. The great thing about Ikea products is that you can customize them to fit your renovating needs, and so many Ikea hacks make DIY projects effortless. You have the freedom to change the products you purchase by cutting them to fit your space. If you decide to add new countertops in your kitchen, for example, and buy a large countertop slab from Ikea but use half of it, you can measure and saw the countertop. The only issue you'll encounter is the exposed wood from where you cut it. However, you can easily cover up the wood by edge banding it to give it a seamless, custom finish.

Edge banding comes in handy when covering up exposed wood or protecting raw edges of plywood or particle boards. There are two ways to apply edge banding: iron or adhesive glue. TikTok user @mr.stukov used DAP Weldwood's contact cement adhesive glue when edge banding his Ikea countertop, which you can find at Walmart for $8.76. You will only use an iron if the edge banding has heat-activated glue; otherwise, liquid adhesive glue works best. In addition, you'll need a flush cut trimmer, an edge banding trimmer, and a sander. If you don't have edge banding tools, Amazon sells an edge banding trimmer for $11.99 and a flush cut trimmer for $20.03.

Before applying the edge banding to the countertops, ensure the surface is smooth. Use a sander to smooth out the surface, eliminating all splinters and debris. TikTok user @mr.stukov vacuumed the area he cut on the countertop, which you can do to ensure there aren't any specks of wood around. Then, prep your edge banding by measuring how much you need, laying it flat on the countertop's edge, and cutting it a couple of inches from the exact measurement. Leaving a few inches from the sides allows you to align the banding perfectly when it needs to be cut. Once your edge banding is measured, apply the adhesive glue to the countertop's edge and the edge banding. Attach the banding to the countertop and let it set, following the time provided on the can.

After the glue sets, trim the edges with the flush cut trimmer, resting the flat side against the edge to get a clean cut. Then, trim the edges using the edge banding trimmer. Avoid trimming too close to the countertop when using the edge banding trimmer because you can dent the sides, so try to keep it slightly loose when trimming. Finally, use the side of a screwdriver to round and smooth out the sides. Instead of a screwdriver, you can use a sanding block to round out the edges and sand any rough areas left behind by the trimmers.