Using Laminate Sheet To Make Modern Cabinet/Aquarium Stand

[TheWoodShouter]

Hi guys! I hope someone here can help me 

I keep aquariums and over the years I've built quite a few aquarium stands. Recently I was asked by a friend if I could build them a modern looking stand for their tank that uses laminate material. Building the cabinet itself isn't a problem, but I have questions about using laminate sheet material specifically. I do have experience covering wood and/or MDF with laminate sheet to make something like a counter top, but my biggest question is how do you laminate the edges of a panel, like the edge side of a piece of plywood or MDF?

I went to a local pet shop yesterday and found a tank stand similar to what I'm talking about, and it looks to me like there's some kind of edge banding that's thicker than the laminate material that covers the rest of the panels. Does anyone know what they use on the edges of these panels, and where I can buy it?

I hope you guys can see the edge material they've used in the pics.

Where can I buy this edge material, and how is it applied?

Should I go with plywood, MDF, particle board or some other material for under the laminate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help!

[drzaius]

That edging is a plastic molding with a tongue on the back that fits into a groove in the edge of the piece. I don't think you'll find it in consumer size quantities as it is something used by the mile in pro millwork shops.

[TheWoodShouter]

On 5/1/2026 at 12:15 PM, drzaius said:

That edging is a plastic molding with a tongue on the back that fits into a groove in the edge of the piece. I don't think you'll find it in consumer size quantities as it is something used by the mile in pro millwork shops.

Thank you for your reply!

Not being able to find it is something I am worried about. Is there anything else I could use?

But now that you've described the material, it reminds me of the edge banding they use a lot inside campers, like on the countertops. I wonder if a camper repair place would have this material?

Thanks again for your help!

[wtnhighlander]

You can laminate the edges of mdf, and maybe plywood, with the same material as the face. Do the edges first, and trim them flush with a router. Tgen laminate the faces, overhanging the edge, and then trim the faces flush. I'd use a chamfered bit on that final trim, else the corners will be razor sharp.

[TheWoodShouter]

On 5/1/2026 at 4:21 PM, wtnhighlander said:

You can laminate the edges of mdf, and maybe plywood, with the same material as the face. Do the edges first, and trim them flush with a router. Tgen laminate the faces, overhanging the edge, and then trim the faces flush. I'd use a chamfered bit on that final trim, else the corners will be razor sharp.

Thank you for your help! 

I was thinking of doing exactly that if I couldn't find the thicker material. You're confident that would work well and the edges won't easily fall off?

Thanks again!

[drzaius]

30 minutes ago, TheWoodShouter said:

Thank you for your help! 

I was thinking of doing exactly that if I couldn't find the thicker material. You're confident that would work well and the edges won't easily fall off?

Thanks again!

That's the way they did kitchen counters (and still do) for decades. The advantage of the plastic edging is that it will take abuse better.

[wtnhighlander]

I think these applications commonly use partcle board or mdf, which (if not abused) keep a clean, square edge when cut. The layered edges of plywood may not adhere quite as well.