Edge-Gluing – Homogenous Strength and Stability

Brooke: Brant, I hear a lot of different opinions when it comes to the need for edge-gluing. Why is O’Hair such a strong advocate of the process?

Brant: That’s because edge-gluing makes a superior product. It’s an expensive process but it’s cost-effective in the long run if you want straightness and stability.

In our panels, the styles and louvers are edge-grained, edge-glued, and they’re known for being very straight and staying that way a long time.

Brooke: Why is it so expensive?

George: It’s an extra process using very expensive machinery. We use precision molders for exact dimensions, and then we use radio-frequency glue curing machines to cure our glue.

Last but not least is the curve loss in the process.

Brooke: If it’s so expensive, then how is it cost-effective?

Brant: The best answer to that is in our Warranty. Most so-called Lifetime Warranties end when the home is sold but ours is transferable, so it really is for a lifetime. We have a 30-year track record of standing behind our products like this, and our warranty claims has been really negligible.

Brooke: That’s truly a great record! So just how does the edge gluing process take place?

George: For our styles and louvers, we start with what appears to be a face-frame molding blank. Then we subdivide it into small pieces. Keeping those pieces in a set, we rotate the grain edge-ways, and glue them together again. The width of the molding determines the number of pieces glued together, and so that’s where our system is modular.

Brooke: That was for styles and louvers. Is your process the same for horizontal rails?

George: In rails, edge-grained gluing is not necessary. So we use a face-grain orientation and it allows us to use our random rips.

Brant: So edge-grain on the styles and louvers, face-grain on the rails, really is a smart utilization in lumber. For the homeowner it’s good quality that’s cost-effective.

Brooke: Now the material is glued up and very straight, is it ready to be molded?

George: Not quite yet. We age the material several days to allow the moisture to even out, then it’s ready to mold. That’s where we’re going now.