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Metal counter edges — 9 places to buy them + more tips

pam kueber - Updated: July 25, 2022

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

metal counter edges where to buyWhere to find metal counter edges for retro kitchens — countertop edging in steel, aluminum and even faux laminate edging? I have made a new, consolidated research / resource page. My complete page includes:

    • Where to find and buy metal counter edge
    • Examples from reader kitchens
    • My video showing my own countertops and how they were done
    • Historical research showing us how laminate countertops were edged, back in the day.

Check out all my research here >> 6 places to find countertop edges in steel and aluminum metal + examples and tips from actual midcentury kitchens

Note, this post has been updated from its original publish date in February 2011 to include updated and better organized information.

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74 comments

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  2. MIfroggies says

    I am very happy with my trim from Mcmaster-carr’s, and it was not hard to install with proper tools. I sent Pam pictures, so sometime my kitchen should be on here so everyone can see how it turned out.

  3. Traci @ Corner of Lacrosse says

    This is all very encouraging. I am in the middle of a kitchen remodel and have put off the countertops for last becuuse I have my heart set on using metal edging but the shipping from NY is just not in the budget. Fingers Crossed, I am going to try to salvage and re-use what is already on there when we replace the countertops but if that doesn’t work then I will have to wipe up the tears and look to some other resources.

  4. MIfroggies says

    I just ordered from mc-master carr’s, so when it arrives will post a picture and how it went. So far, I am delighted at their price plus shipping was 75% less expensive. Maybe not as authentic, but at that price I can swap out if I am ever tired of them.

      • MIfroggies says

        I ordered the aluminum tee edge in a 1 1/4 ribbed edge, bottom of this page, they call it push in stem aluminum trim. My problem was my counters were 1 1/4 thick so I needed this size, other places did not have snap on steel trim in that size. Notice they have different widths in this. I needed 8 – 6 ft pieces at $6.48 a piece.
        http://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum-molding/=aukgcs

        For my cove, I choose aluminum 90 degree angle corner in a rounded profile 8 -6 ft pieces. At $2.17 for a 4 foot piece.
        http://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum-angles/=aukiff

        I realize this is not historically perfect, however, total shipping was $12 for the entire order. Total price was $82. As opposed to $135 to ship from other places, plus $220 for the aluminum trim I was considering, for a total of $355. So I paid a 1/4 of what I was expecting. Maybe I will only get a 1/4 of the durability, but I don’t mind. My goal with my kitchen was budget, made in USA, DIY, and reuse/repurposing. With all my kids, I will be able to determine fairly quickly how it holds up in practically industrial conditions!

        • MIfroggies says

          yikes that was a long comment, was just trying to answer you Pam! Feel free to cut that down to size!

          • MIfroggies says

            The trim is already here! Whoa, I ordered it late afternoon Feb.1, and here it is, in my kitchen, on the afternoon of Feb.3! Also, the shipping was less than $10 my total actually was $78.95. They sent it in heavy duty cardboard tubes. Do you want me to direct email you a picture, Pam?

    • dcgrl says

      Good luck with your install! I hope Pam posts pics when you’re done. I keep looking at these moldings wondering how in the world they get installed. do you just cut a groove in the underlayment and push that t-molding in?

      • pam kueber says

        Bars & Booths talks about installing the tee molding on their page. Requires proper tools and careful routing so that the top edge lines up properly.

        • John Cunningham says

          You need to rout an exact slot in exactly the right place. I left it to a professional and it was more than worth the money.

  6. Danielle says

    I just had my aqua boomerang counters installed and I got the Deco metal from Formica installed on the counters. It was something the fabricaters could order directly from formica.

  7. Joe says

    We went to New York Metal for our edging. Helpful guys, will cut it to length for you if need be, and wrapped it up nice so it was safe for the 2 hour ride back home in my truck.

    [edited]

  8. Joan says

    Wow, I had no idea these were available! When we put a new layer of Formica on our kitchen counters, we went to Home Depot and got some inexpensive metal edging, carefully bent it around the corners, glued it and then put some decorative screws in. I think it was a very inexpensive option and it still looks great!

  10. linda blackmore says

    Our house had metal edging when I was a kid. I had to remember not to rub against it or it would leave a black mark on my clothes. Not sure what it was made of, but I was sure glad when we got “new formica” tops. I do like the look, however, and I’m sure the quality has improved.

    • pam kueber says

      I have not such problems with my stainless steel edging. No problem with fingerprints either — I guess we don’t really put our fingers on the edging much…