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Choosing an Edge Lamination Adhesive

In the world of adhesives, there are many from which to choose. Additionally, it can be easy to get "stuck" on using one kind of adhesive for a variety of tasks. However, there a number of glue types because of the variety of situations in which you will use adhesives. One type of task is stone lamination. in this article we are going to talk a little bit about what stone lamination is, and what things to consider when choosing a glue for laminating stone.

What is Edge Lamination

Stone edge lamination is a task that is used in fabrication. What is stone fabrication? Well, the definition of "fabricated", according to the National Stone Institute Glossary, is defined as follows:

Fabricated - Used in reference to dimension stone, it means having undergone cutting, machining, or other processes in order to refine the product for its intended application manufactured and ready for installation.

Laminating stone surfaces means to adhere two pieces of stone in a layered fashion. When you laminate stone though, there are some things to keep in mind. One thing to note is that there are a number of techniques used for laminating stone. Additionally, the technique being used may lend itself to using a particular adhesive.

Techniques for Edge Lamination

Stone lamination is used for accomplishing a number of effects. For example, fabricators laminate stone edges to decorate the counter top's edge. Furthermore, they also use the practice for adding visual bulk to the surface. In fact, there are a variety of techniques used to laminate stone some of these are:

  • Step Lamination - bonding a layer of stone to the bottom of the surface to add a "step" effect.
  • Stack Lamination - adhering a second layer of stone to the edge of the surface to create an edge that is twice as thick as the surface.
  • Miter Lamination - affixing a strip of stone to the edge of the surface using a 45° miter cut.
  • Butt Joint Lamination - fastening a strip of stone perpendicularly to the underside of the surface's edge.

In addition to adding a visual appearance of thickness to the stone, these techniques can also be employed to decorate the stone's edge. Thus, adding a unique trait or characteristic to the project being built. Since the visual aspect is important, it goes without saying that the adhesive you select for the job will contribute in one or more ways to the outcome of the job. Let's now look at what you will likely want to consider when choosing an edge lamination adhesive for stone.

Deciding On Lamination Adhesive

When choosing an adhesive for stone edge lamination it is good to think about how strong the glue needs to be when laminating stone. Additionally, it is beneficial in some cases to have an adhesive that contributes to invisible seams.

Choosing a Strong Glue

Strong is adhesive is a key consideration when laminating stone edges. Besides the fact that stone is a relatively heavy material, there are also cases where added force or wight may be exerted on the edge of a counter top. For example, think about the case of a counter top that has step lamination applied to its edge. That means the lower part of the stepped edge is being joined to the top part of the same edge by the adhesive used to laminate that edge. Besides the weight of the bottom "step" on the edge, there is the potential for someone to lean on that bottom edge. Or, perhaps someone rests a heavy object right on that convenient step that protrudes from the edge of the counter. Well, you get the idea, a strong adhesive is good. There are a number of adhesives for laminating stone edges and choosing one that is right for your particular task is key. Does the color matter though?

Making Hidden Lamination Seams

When considering what kind of laminating adhesive to choose, you no doubt want to think about seem visibility. Whether a seam can be seen makes a difference in the apparent quality of your work. Often times, the best seems are the ones that are not easily noticed. For achieving hidden seams in lamination, some fabricators go with cartridge glue that is color matched to the material being bonded. For example, Glaxs is a good cartridge glue to laminate porcelain. There are also Dekton glue cartridges and adhesives for bonding various materials.

Color matched adhesive is particularly effective for miter lamination, stack lamination, and step lamination bonding. Some fabricators also make use of other adhesives that are transparent. These have no color and if you get the right glue, it does not yellow. Non-yellowing is a key feature if the adhesive is going to be visible.

In conclusion, you will no doubt see cases where an effective lamination adhesive is needed. Choosing an edge lamination adhesive with the strength needed and/or one that is not noticeable in the finished project are just a couple of the important factors to be mindful of when you go about laminating an edge. Choosing the right glue will contribute to high quality project.