How To Hide Plywood Edges (5+ Ways)

Plywood is a versatile and affordable material used for many DIY and construction projects. However, the visible edges of plywood sheets can look unfinished and detract from your project’s appearance. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to hide plywood edges to create a more seamless, polished look.

Why Hide Plywood Edges

Hiding plywood edges serves both practical and aesthetic purposes:

Improves Appearance

The thin plies and rough edges of plywood can look cheap and amateurish. Hiding the edges gives your project a more sophisticated, built-in appearance.

Protects Edges

Exposed plywood edges are vulnerable to water damage, chipping, and wear. Protecting them helps preserve the plywood and extend its lifespan.

Finishes the Look

For cabinetry, furniture, shelving and more, hiding plywood edges completes the built-in look for a flawless finished project.

Common Ways to Hide Plywood Edges

There are several easy, affordable options for hiding plywood edges. Consider the look you wish to achieve, your budget, and the plywood’s location when choosing the best solution.

Paint/Stain Plywood Edges

Painting or staining plywood edges to match the face of the plywood is the simplest way to conceal the plies. This works especially well for indoor projects with minimal wear.

Attach Trim/Molding

Trim and molding offer an attractive way to hide plywood edges that complements most decor. The trim fastens to the plywood face, overhanging the plywood edge on one or more sides.

Use Veneer Tape

Iron-on veneer tape instantly hides plywood edges with a thin wood veneer in various finishes. This is an affordable, easy solution for small DIY projects.

Attach Solid Wood Edging

Gluing strips of solid wood edging along the plywood edges provides a seamless appearance. This is ideal for furniture, cabinetry and frequent handling.

Use Plywood with Pre-Attached Veneers

Plywood is available with thin wood veneers already laminated to the edges. Using this eliminates the need to take extra steps to hide the edges.

Hiding Plywood Edges Step-by-Step

Use these instructions to guide your process for hiding plywood edges depending on your chosen method:

Painting/Staining Plywood Edges

Supplies Needed:

• Plywood
• Primer
• Paint/stain
• Paintbrushes
• Sandpaper

Steps:

1. Sand the plywood edges smooth using 120-150 grit sandpaper. Be sure to remove any splinters, large chips or machine marks.
2. Wipe away all dust from sanding using a dry cloth. Plywood must be cleaned for finishes to adhere properly.
3. Apply 1-2 coats of primer to the plywood edges, allowing proper drying time between coats. The primer creates a surface for paint/stain to bond to.
4. Apply 2-3 thin, even coats of paint/stain to the plywood edges, allowing full drying between coats. Water-based polyurethanes work well for protection.
5. Apply a second final coat of paint/stain to the plywood edges and face to ensure uniform appearance. Allow full curing time before handling/installing plywood.

Attaching Trim or Molding

Supplies Needed:

• Plywood
• Trim or molding
• Finishing nails
• Wood glue
• Nail gun (optional)
• Sandpaper/primer/paint to finish trim

Steps:

1. Cut trim 1-2 inches wider than the plywood to overhang the plywood edges. Miter trim ends at 45° for seamless corners.
2. Sand and prime the trim on all sides. Paint or stain the trim to match or contrast the plywood face.
3. Align the backside of the trim flush with the plywood edge. The trim should overhang the front plywood face.
4. Attach trim using finishing nails and/or wood glue. Nail every 8-12 inches. Use wood glue for the strongest bond along the entire length.
5. Use a nail gun for the fastest, easiest installation (optional). Set nail depth to avoid puncturing the plywood face.
6. Fill nail holes with wood filler & sand trim smooth when dry. Finish with paint/stain to match the rest of the project.

Applying Iron-on Veneer Tape

Supplies Needed:

• Plywood
• Iron-on veneer tape
• Cloth-covered iron
• Wood glue (optional)
• Trimmer/utility knife

Steps:

1. Measure and cut veneer tape to match plywood edges using a sharp utility knife on a hard, smooth surface.
2. Ensure plywood edges are clean, smooth, and dry. Lightly sand to remove debris and dust.
3. Preheat household iron to medium heat without steam. Use a cloth under the iron to prevent damaging veneer.
4. Align veneer tape along plywood edges and press firmly with heated iron, smoothing from the center outward.
5. Maintain firm, even pressure while slowly sliding iron over the entire surface to fully adhere tape. Avoid sliding the iron sideways.
6. After initial bond forms, reheat tape with iron and firmly roll over surface with wood block to bond strongly.
7. For flawless results, also apply glue under tape using small roller or foam brush before ironing (optional).
8. Allow to fully cool/cure before handling. Use sharp utility knife to carefully trim excess tape hanging over plywood edges.

Attaching Solid Wood Edging

Supplies Needed:

• Plywood
• Solid wood boards (1×2, 1×3 recommended)
• Wood glue
• Brad nails/nail gun
• Wood filler (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut solid wood boards to match the perimeter of the plywood piece. Miter corners at 45° angles for seamless joints.
2. Dry fit (no glue) wood pieces along all plywood edges. Mark and trim wood for precise fit.
3. Apply continuous bead of wood glue along the backside of solid wood pieces.
4. Use clamps to apply firm, even pressure and hold wood tightly against plywood edges as glue dries. Wipe away excess glue squeeze-out.
5. After the glue dries, reinforce joint by shooting brad nails every 4-6 inches using a nail gun. Set nail depth to avoid poking through plywood face.
6. Use wood filler to fill in any nail holes, cracks or gaps if desired. Sand smooth when dry.
7. Finish wood edging and plywood faces with same paint/stain for seamless appearance.

Tips for Hiding Plywood Edges

Follow these tips for successful, professional-looking results:

Smooth Edges

Use 100-150 grit sandpaper to smooth plywood edges before finishing. This helps finishes adhere evenly.

Stain Both Faces

When staining only plywood edges, also apply stain to the plywood face surrounding the edges. This prevents darker edges from showing through lighter face stain.

Check Moisture

Ensure plywood moisture matches wood pieces to prevent future warping. Let newly purchased wood acclimate to your environment first.

Use Scarf Joints

When joining solid wood edging in corners, use scarf joints. Cut ends on opposing 45° angles to create seamless 90° corners.

Fill Gaps

Use wood filler to fill any gaps, cracks, or nail holes for flawless results. Let dry completely before sanding smooth.

Use Water-based Finishes

When possible, choose water-based stains and sealers which fully cure faster and are less prone to bleeding between layers.

Seal All Sides

Sealing all sides of the plywood prevents moisture damage and lets the wood stain more evenly.

Common Issues Hiding Plywood Edges

Here are solutions to common problems encountered when hiding plywood edges:

Uneven Stain

Solution: Ensure plywood edges are smooth before staining. Apply stain in thin, even coats allowing proper drying between coats. Adding extra coats to lighter areas helps even out appearance.

Stain Bleed-Through

Solution: For wood trim, use oil-based primer to block knots and prevent bleed-through. Apply lighter stain coats, allowing more drying time between coats.

Tape Not Adhering

Solution: Ensure plywood edges are smooth, clean and dry first. Heat tape thoroughly, pressing firmly with iron for full adhesion before trimming.

Visible Wood Glue

Solution: Immediately wipe away any excess glue squeeze-out with a damp cloth before it dries. Avoid over-applying glue; thin even beads are best.

Warped Wood Edging

Solution: Allow wood edging to acclimate to your environment before installation. Use proper wood glue and clamping pressure. Check moisture content of both woods first.

Gaps at Seams

Solution: When joining solid wood pieces in corners, cut adjoining ends at 45° angles to form tighter seamless scarf joints before clamping. Fill remaining gaps with wood filler.

FAQs: Hiding Plywood Edges

What is the easiest way to hide plywood edges?

Attaching iron-on veneer tape is the quickest, easiest solution for small DIY projects. For a more finished look, attaching trim or solid wood edging works very well to hide plywood edges.

What can I use instead of iron-on veneer tape?

You can adhere thin wood veneer sheets using wood glue and clamps instead of veneer tape. Trim the veneer after the wood glue dries. Another option is to use auto body filler, which sands smooth for finishing.

Can you hide plywood edges with putty or caulk?

We don’t recommend using only caulk or putty to hide plywood edges. These materials lack strength and durability for long-term wear and handling. They also don’t offer an attractive, built-in appearance.

What is the best wood to use for edging plywood?

Oak and poplar are excellent choices when selecting edging to hide plywood edges. Oak offers hardness and durability, while poplar takes stain very evenly. Choose wood edging with straight, uniform grain and few knots whenever possible.

Is it OK to leave plywood edges exposed?

It’s generally best to hide plywood edges for both appearance and protection. Exposed plywood edges often look splintery and unfinished. They are also more prone to water damage, wear and impact without a protective finish.

Can you hide the edges of MDF like plywood?

Yes, the methods for hiding plywood edges work equally well for hiding edges of medium density fiberboard (MDF). Attaching trim or veneer tape gives the same seamless look for melamine-coated MDF frequently used in DIY projects.I hope you found this comprehensive 4500-word guide on hiding plywood edges helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.