I am updating this Retro Renovation “Classic” post for Tiel, her husband, and all readers looking for classic 50s and 60s metal countertop edging. Trust me – this is the real deal:
My husband hunted down the only place left — in Astoria, Queens — that still made the exact stainless steel edging on 50s and 60s countertops. Our countertop installers installed this very easily and successfully on our new laminate countertops.
Go to newyorkmetal.com to order this. Here are the exact pieces that you need:
1. Stainless steel “snap-on” edging – 1-5/8″:
2. For the top of the backsplash #SS801A in 1″ profile:
Same PROFILE as the countertop edge, but in 1″.
3. There are several products to help you do the little piece that goes in between these two where they meet at 90-degree angles:
Re the cove: This is the one I used, but there are other designs that also look like they would do the trick just fine.
4. Note, my experience was that there was a gulp! core shipping charge – because the edging comes in 12′ strips, it must go freight. Well worth it, in the long run (no pun intended)!
Here are close ups of how this stuff comes together.
Again, where to get stainless steel kitchen countertop edging, like I used in my kitchen:
Dan Spring says
I just recieved my metal edging from NY metals in the mail today. I avoided the $150.00 shipping charge by letting them cut each piece so it would be 8 ft or less. Their website said each cut was 10 bucks but the guy on the phone said that was wrong and that 10 bucks covered all 5 cuts.(I bought five 12′ pieces) Total was $221.00 and change to Orlando, Florida for enough to finish an L- shaped counter, 8′ x 5′ against the wall and 6′ x 3′ on the outer side with a backslash all the way around. I got the same edging/product numbers in the “how to” video. My friend has a cabinet shop and we ordered a 5′ x 12′ piece of aqua boomerang formica so it will be a one piece counter with no seams. He’s psyched up about using the edging. We practiced with a small piece at the shop today and it looks like it will be a breeze. I found a beautiful GE turquoise wall oven in the garbage down the street and bought a matching GE turquoise cooktop with a seperate chrome, push button control panel off of craigslist. Next week the 1962 kitchen will begin it’s transformation. Dan
Kate says
Hi Pam – do you know where I could get ribbed stainless steel edging for my kitchen cabinets?
Thanks!
Kate
pam kueber says
Kate, NY Metals also has these. FOLKS, they have just about EVERYTHING: http://www.newyorkmetal.com/c-7-tee-nosings-counter-edge-aluminum.aspx
You can also ask them regarding local suppliers – if you can find local suppliers you will save on shipping. Kate, go thru this comment string and you can a link or two from others identifying local suppliers.
Rebecca says
A low budget version! My man and I recently retro-ized an old office brown wooden desk. We got the desk for free and I painted it white. We bought a piece of the skylark boomerang formica and resurfaced it. We didn’t want to spend the money to ship 1 piece of edging on a little desk. So we just used two piece of aluminum threshold material around the edges. It bent really easily. To hold it in place we used contracting white upholstery tacks in the already there holes. We changed the hardware to match the “look” we were going for, and we have a solid, sturdy, retro-looking desk that cost us around $75 total. We were very pleased. You would never know that the aluminum threshold was anything but edging for a desk and it cost us only around $15. Just thought we would share
pam kueber says
Rebecca – sounds super-ingenious! I’ve sent you an email requesting pics! Thanks for sharing this great idea!
atomicbowler-dave says
This won’t likely be of much help for those needing ribbed edging, but for smooth edging search up TACO Metal Products Corp.
This is stainless stuff used widely on boats as a rubrail trim or edging, and TACO is the largest US supplier. Anywhere there is much marine work or new boat construction work done in the US there will be a wholesaler of this material not too far away. Comes in a number of widths and is usually available in 20 foot (sometimes 12 foot) sticks.
Hope this could help someone…
Dave
Robin says
After looking around forever, I just found a place in Los Angeles (Culver City to be exact) that has several different options for edging in stock.
I got a ridged stainless steel outside edge, with a little aluminum cove piece for where the back splash meets the formica countertop.
They have a showroom where you can see samples. Each piece comes in 12 foot lengths and are around $2 a foot:
http://www.studiosupplier.com/aluminummoulding.html
pam kueber says
Thanks, Robin, for adding that find! I know there are a lot of readers in LA area who will be glad to have a local supplier, as shipping from NYMetals can be expensive. Hmmm. Anyone working with a place like this also should ask …. can they get you NYMetals, too?
Laurie says
I never read this post before, because we redid our kitchen in 2006. However, I’m somewhat bummed that we were unable to find this edging when we did ours! I called all over trying to find something like this, but everyone was so confused by what I was asking. You think this edging would be really popular in modern kitchen remodels. it’s awesome.
Cindy says
Hey Jamie-
I’m in Boise and would be interested in splitted frieght cost w/ you. How do I get in touch with you?
Tammera says
Hi and LOVE this site. I have a 50’s kitchen with pink and gold fleck laminate that is in very good condition. It is trimmed with the strainless steel edging which is also pretty nice. BUT, all curved edges and the center of the edging has a plastic insert that I would like to replace as it is chipped and broken. ANY ideas? I will post a pic if needed.
THANKS!
Jamie says
Any body here from Idaho or the Pacific NW that needs any of this edging? I need two uncut 12′ sticks but can’t afford it with freight costs. Would love to split it with you.
Thanks
Milster says
Thanks Pam, I’ll keep that all in mind. I may actually be reconsidering now and am thinking about using polished aluminum in order to get the exact measurements and cuts I need for my countertops and backsplash pieces and based on what my countertop man is able to feel he can do and do very well. He seems more comfortable with the thought of aluminum so we’ll see. It’s definitely all a big learning process for a novice like me!. And, I know what you mean about making sure I get the excact sizes I need as I don’t want to have to “piecework” anything and as much money as we’ve already spent, I don’t want it to look “rigged” in the end. I’m still weighing all my options.
NY Metals definitely rocks in their customer service though and even if I may not be able to get all my trim from them they still get an A+ from me!
Pam Kueber says
Milster, it’s not that I ‘don’t recommend’ another edging…I just haven’t researched this more expansively yet. In fact, some readers have recently sent more resources – such as Outwater Plastics. But I am up to my eyeballs in other things right now…Pam