An edge strip is a finishing or separating strip along the edge of a building element. The term is used in two senses: as a finishing strip on the visible edge of board material, and as a flexible perimeter strip around a screed floor.
1. Edge strip as a finish for board material
On doors, worktops, and furniture panels, the end or thickness edge of the board material (such as chipboard or MDF) is not neatly finished. An edge strip — a thin strip of wood, a strip of veneer, or a melamine or plastic strip — is glued onto this edge. This has two purposes:
- Aesthetic — the rough edge is neatly concealed
- Protective — the strip protects the vulnerable edge against moisture and damage
2. Edge strip (perimeter strip) at a screed floor
Around a screed floor (such as a sand-cement or anhydrite screed), a flexible edge strip is fitted along all walls and upstands, also called a perimeter or edge-insulation strip. It sits between the screed and the adjacent building elements and has important functions:
- Absorbing expansion — the floor can expand and shrink with temperature (for example with underfloor heating) without pushing against the walls and cracking
- Preventing impact sound — the strip breaks the direct connection between floor and wall, which limits sound transmission (impact sound)
Point to note
Fit the perimeter strip before pouring the screed, over its full height, and only trim off the protruding part once the floor and the final finish are complete.
Related terms
- Screed
- Edge insulation
- Underfloor heating
- Sound insulation
- Board material
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.