Profiles & Edge Rolls

Upholstery Profiles and Edge Rolls for Furniture Frames

Shop upholstery profiles and edge rolls for shaping, padding and protecting furniture-frame edges before the final fabric or vinyl covering is fitted. Livedale supplies polyfoam, paper, plastic and reconstituted-foam edge products for arms, backs, seat fronts, facings and suitable production-upholstery applications.

Edge rolls and profiles help transform a hard or angular furniture frame into a smoother upholstered shape. Depending on the product, they may:

• Form a rounded arm or facing edge
• Provide a firm front edge to a seat base
• Reduce the risk of a timber edge showing through the upholstery
• Create a consistent production profile
• Support foam, wadding and covering materials
• Provide a flange for attaching the profile to the frame
• Help retain or position upholstery materials within a suitable furniture design

These products sit beneath the finished upholstery. They are not the same as decorative piping cord, which is normally covered with fabric and sewn into a visible cushion or furniture seam.

The correct profile depends on the shape required, the firmness of the finished edge, the furniture construction and the method used to attach the material.

Shop Upholstery Profiles and Edge Rolls by Type

The range can be divided into three principal product groups:

• Flexible flanged edge rolls
• Firm foam and recon furniture profiles
• OKE retainer and tie-down strips

There are no child categories beneath this page, so the sections below explain the direct products and their most appropriate applications.

Flexible Flanged Edge Rolls

Flexible edge rolls are supplied in coils or rolls and are intended to follow suitable straight or gently curved furniture-frame sections.

The available products include:

• P-shape plastic edge roll
• OKE P-shape plastic edge roll
• ¾-inch polyfoam edge roll
• Paper flange roll
• Firm paper stitch edge roll
• Recon flange roll

The profile itself creates the rounded or firm edge, while the attached flange provides a flatter area for fixing or positioning it against the frame.

P-Shape Edge Roll

The P-shape edge roll is a plastic furniture-edge profile available in:

• 9mm
• 13mm
• 20mm

It is supplied in 25-metre or 50-metre rolls, depending on the selected size.

The P-shaped section is particularly useful for producing a consistent rolled edge around suitable furniture arm facings and comparable frame sections.

Potential uses include:

• Sofa arm facings
• Chair arm fronts
• Furniture borders
• Upholstered panels
• Suitable shaped backs
• Other frame edges requiring a defined rounded profile

The size should be selected according to the finished edge required rather than simply choosing the largest option.

A 20mm profile produces a more substantial edge than a 9mm profile and will require greater allowance within the foam, wadding and covering material.

OKE P-Shape Plastic Edge Roll

The OKE P-shape plastic edge roll is available in:

• 5mm
• 9mm
• 14mm

It is sold by the metre or in full rolls, with the full-roll length depending on the profile size.

This profile is also intended for suitable arm facings and furniture edges requiring a neat rolled shape.

The smaller sizes can be useful where a more restrained finished edge is required or where limited space is available between the frame, padding and covering.

Do not assume the standard and OKE P-shape profiles are interchangeable solely because they share the same general letter shape.

Compare:

• Profile diameter
• Flange width
• Material stiffness
• Roll length
• Required fixing method
• Shape of the original furniture edge
• Amount of padding applied over it

Where replacing an existing production profile, retain a sample and compare its complete cross-section.

¾-Inch Polyfoam Edge Roll

The ¾-inch polyfoam edge roll is a firm closed-cell foam profile.

Its approximate dimensions are:

• ¾-inch rounded profile
• ¾-inch flange

It is sold by the metre or in a 200-metre coil.

The closed-cell foam is designed to retain its shape beneath the finished upholstery and can be used to create a firm rounded finish around suitable arms and furniture facings.

Potential applications include:

• Sofa arm fronts
• Chair arm facings
• Furniture borders
• Rounded panel edges
• Production upholstery
• Areas requiring more resilience than a paper edge roll

Because it is firmer than soft upholstery foam, the profile can help maintain a consistent furniture edge through repeated production.

The finished feel will still depend on the covering fabric and any foam or polyester wadding placed over it.

Paper Flange Roll

The paper flange roll consists of a firm paper roll covered in Corovin and formed with a fixing flange.

It is available in:

• 19mm
• 25mm

It is sold by the metre or in 100-metre and 200-metre rolls, depending on the selected option.

The product is intended to create a firm edge on suitable:

• Furniture arms
• Furniture backs
• Seat bases
• Frame borders
• Facings
• Fixed upholstery sections

The Corovin covering helps contain the paper construction and provides a cleaner handling surface.

Paper flange roll is best suited to dry indoor furniture applications. It should not be treated as a washable, waterproof or exterior profile.

Do not saturate it with adhesive or cleaning products.

Firm Paper Stitch Edge Roll

The firm paper stitch edge roll is available in:

• 19mm
• 25mm

It is sold by the metre or in 200-metre rolls.

It is intended for arms, backs and particularly suitable seat-base edges where a firm foundation is needed before the furniture is upholstered.

Its job is to establish the edge shape beneath the later padding and covering.

Before fitting, check that:

• The frame edge is sound
• The profile follows the intended line
• Joins are positioned neatly
• The roll does not twist
• Fixings do not crush the profile
• Sufficient padding will cover the final edge
• The covering material can follow the resulting radius

The product title includes the word “stitch”, but the live product information does not currently explain the precise recommended attachment method. That should be confirmed on the individual product page rather than assumed.

Recon Flange Roll

The recon flange roll is a firm reconstituted-foam edge roll supplied in 25-metre rolls.

It is intended for use on:

• Arms
• Facings
• Seat bases
• Other suitable furniture-frame edges

Reconstituted foam provides a denser and more substantial feel than softer polyester wadding or light foam wrap.

It may be useful where the furniture design requires:

• A firm padded edge
• Greater resilience
• A consistent production shape
• A profile that blends into adjoining foam
• More cushioning than a paper roll
• A less rigid finish than a hard plastic profile

The flange should be positioned securely against the frame while the main recon section forms the intended edge.

Firm Foam and Recon Furniture Profiles

Rigid or semi-rigid profiles are supplied in straight two-metre lengths.

They are useful where the furniture requires a consistent shape along a straight front, arm or facing edge.

The current range includes:

• CC1 50mm × 25mm Polyedge strip
• Poly edge flange
• Recon front edge profile

CC1 50mm × 25mm Polyedge Strip

The CC1 Polyedge strip is a firm polyfoam D-shaped profile measuring approximately:

• 50mm wide
• 25mm deep
• 2 metres long

It is intended to create defined D-shaped furniture borders.

Potential applications include:

• Sofa and chair borders
• Firm front-edge sections
• Upholstered facings
• Furniture panels
• Suitable arm and back profiles

The D-shaped cross-section produces a fuller rounded surface than a narrow P-shaped edge roll.

Before ordering, check that the frame and finished upholstery design can accommodate the full 50mm width and 25mm depth.

The surrounding foam, wadding and fabric must blend into the profile without creating a visible step.

Poly Edge Flange

The poly edge flange is a firm closed-cell polyfoam profile supplied in two-metre lengths.

Its approximate dimensions are:

• 25mm across
• 35mm high

It is intended to produce a neat, firm shaped finish around suitable sofa and chair arms or facings.

The closed-cell material helps retain its profile beneath the completed upholstery.

It may be suitable where:

• A straight firm edge is required
• The finished profile is taller than it is wide
• The frame needs a repeatable production shape
• The covering requires a defined rounded transition
• A long straight length is preferable to a coiled roll

Measure the complete furniture run before cutting.

Where two lengths must be joined, position the join away from the most visible area and make sure the two profiles meet without a gap or overlapping lump.

Recon Front Edge Profile

The recon front edge profile is supplied in two-metre lengths.

The current product page gives no cross-sectional dimensions or meaningful application detail beyond its name.

Based on the product type, it belongs within the firm front-edge section of this category, but customers need a dimensioned cross-section before selecting it confidently.

The product page should state:

• Overall width
• Overall depth
• Profile shape
• Flange dimensions
• Foam density
• Intended seat or frame application
• Recommended attachment method
• Whether it can follow any curve
• Pack quantity
• Cutting guidance

Until that information is added, it should be presented as a specification-matching product rather than a universal furniture front-edge profile.

OKE Retainer and Tie-Down Strips

The range includes four OKE products intended for suitable furniture manufacturing and production-upholstery systems:

• 25mm flanged retainer strip
• 20mm flanged tie-down strip
• 80mm flanged tie-down strip
• 93mm winged retainer strip

These products have specific shaped cross-sections and should not be treated as interchangeable general edge rolls.

The current product pages provide dimensions and pack quantities but almost no explanation of:

• What material each strip retains
• The recommended orientation
• The attachment method
• The furniture applications
• Whether the product is sewn, stapled or otherwise incorporated
• Required clearance
• Compatible companion components

Customers should therefore compare the actual profile and obtain the required technical information before building it into a new furniture design.

OKE Retainer Strip with 25mm Flange

The OKE retainer strip with 25mm flange is available by the metre or in a 400-metre roll.

It is intended for suitable upholstery-retaining applications where its particular profile and 25mm flange match the furniture design.

Before ordering, confirm:

• Complete profile shape
• Flange width
• Material thickness
• Orientation
• Required attachment method
• Product being retained
• Space within the furniture frame
• Whether it forms part of a matched system

The product page currently repeats only the product title and needs a diagram showing the installed position.

OKE Tie-Down Strip with 20mm Flange

The OKE 20mm tie-down strip is supplied in 1200mm lengths.

It is available:

• Per strip
• In boxes of 300 strips

The narrower 20mm flange may suit a furniture design where the fixing or attachment area is limited, but this should be confirmed against the actual system specification.

The product should not be chosen solely because the narrower flange fits physically into the available space.

OKE Tie-Down Strip with 80mm Flange

The OKE 80mm tie-down strip is also supplied in 1200mm lengths.

It is available:

• Per strip
• In boxes of 200 strips

The broader 80mm flange provides a larger material section than the 20mm version, but that does not automatically mean it carries a greater load or is suitable for a heavier application.

Its purpose, orientation and fixing method should be confirmed before specification.

OKE Winged Retainer Strip with 93mm Flange

The OKE winged retainer strip is supplied in:

• 1200mm lengths
• Individual strips
• Boxes of 75

Its 93mm winged flange makes it materially different from the 25mm retainer and the two tie-down strips.

The product page needs:

• A dimensioned cross-section
• Installation photograph
• Retained-material description
• Recommended fixing method
• Furniture application
• Orientation
• Whether the wings are folded, sewn or fixed
• Required companion components

Without that information, customers are being asked to identify a specialist production profile from one photograph and a flange measurement. That is not enough for a reliable purchasing decision.

Choosing the Correct Edge Roll or Profile

Begin by identifying the shape and firmness required.

Ask whether the product must:

• Round a timber edge
• Form an arm facing
• Create a seat-front profile
• Provide a firm edge beneath foam
• Blend a frame into adjoining padding
• Maintain a repeated production shape
• Retain upholstery material
• Provide a tie-down component
• Follow a curve
• Remain straight
• Offer soft cushioning
• Create a firm structural-looking outline

Then compare:

• Cross-sectional shape
• Diameter
• Width and height
• Flange width
• Material
• Firmness
• Roll or straight-strip format
• Required length
• Attachment method
• Furniture application

The product must suit the complete upholstered construction, not merely the exposed timber edge.

Soft, Firm or Rigid Furniture Edges

Choose a softer foam or recon profile where:

• Some cushioning is required
• The edge must blend into adjoining foam
• The furniture will be contacted during normal use
• A softer transition beneath the fabric is preferred

Choose a paper edge roll where:

• A firm indoor furniture edge is required
• The application remains dry
• A lightweight rolled product is suitable
• The profile will be covered by appropriate padding and fabric

Choose a closed-cell polyfoam profile where:

• A consistent manufactured shape is required
• The edge must retain its cross-section
• A resilient arm or facing profile is needed
• The material should not compress as readily as soft foam

Choose a specialist OKE profile where:

• The furniture design specifically calls for that retainer or tie-down section
• Dimensions and orientation have been confirmed
• The required installation method is known
• The product forms part of an established production system

Do not substitute one material for another without considering how the completed furniture edge will feel and behave.

Measuring Furniture Edges

Measure along the actual fixing or installation line.

Record:

• Straight-line length
• Curves
• Corners
• Changes in direction
• Required profile size
• Flange width
• Available frame surface
• Position of joints
• Number of furniture items
• Waste allowance
• Whether left- and right-hand sections differ

Use rulers and tape measures for straight sections and a flexible tape for curved furniture edges.

For production work, make a cutting list for each furniture model.

Allow additional material for test pieces and joins rather than ordering the exact mathematical length and discovering that the first experimental corner has consumed the contingency.

Marking the Frame

Use suitable measuring and marking tools to mark the intended profile line on the furniture frame.

Useful marks include:

• Centre line
• Start and finish points
• Corner positions
• Join positions
• Flange edge
• Fixing line
• Left- and right-hand orientation
• Profile size

Check that the line is consistent when viewed from the front and side of the furniture.

A profile fixed perfectly along the wrong line remains wrong with admirable consistency.

Cutting Foam, Recon and Plastic Profiles

Use a sharp tool suited to the profile material.

Browse upholstery knives and foam cutters for cutting compatible foam, recon and plastic profiles.

Depending on the material, suitable tools may include:

• Sharp utility knife
• Long-bladed upholstery knife
• Heavy-duty shears
• Fine-tooth saw
• Purpose-made production cutter

Support the profile and make a square controlled cut.

A poorly cut end creates:

• Gaps at joints
• Raised edges
• Uneven arm facings
• Visible changes beneath the fabric
• Weak fixing points

Test the tool on a waste section before cutting the final length.

Do not compress soft or recon profiles heavily while measuring because they may shorten or distort before returning to shape.

Cutting Paper Edge Rolls

Paper and Corovin-covered edge rolls may be cut using suitable upholstery shears and snips or another sharp workroom cutting tool.

Keep the cut square and avoid crushing the roll.

Where the material contains stitched or wrapped construction, secure the cut end if necessary so it does not begin to unwind or separate during fitting.

The exact end-finishing method should follow the product construction and installation practice.

Attaching Profiles with Upholstery Staples

Many upholstery edge rolls and flanged profiles are commonly fixed to suitable frame material using staples.

Browse upholstery staples and compatible pneumatic staple guns and tackers.

Choose a staple that suits:

• Staple gun
• Profile flange
• Furniture-frame timber
• Material thickness
• Required penetration
• Fixing spacing
• Position of the finished upholstery

The staple crown should hold the flange without cutting through it.

Do not use a staple so long that it passes through a thin rail or emerges from the visible furniture surface.

Start at one end and maintain the profile along the marked line.

Check the edge shape repeatedly rather than completing the full length before inspecting it.

Staple Spacing

Staples should be close enough to prevent the flange lifting or twisting but not so close that the fixing line weakens the material.

Closer spacing may be required around:

• Curves
• Corners
• Changes in direction
• Profile joins
• Higher-tension areas

Keep the fixing pattern consistent during production.

The correct spacing depends on the profile and furniture construction, so the individual product instructions should take priority where available.

Using Adhesive with Edge Profiles

A compatible upholstery spray adhesive may sometimes be used to position foam, recon or adjoining padding around an installed profile.

Do not assume that every edge roll should be glued directly to the furniture frame.

Before using adhesive, confirm compatibility with:

• Profile material
• Timber or board
• Foam
• Covering material
• Heat exposure
• Required working time
• Future repair or removal

Solvent-based adhesive can damage some foam, plastic and finished surfaces.

Test the exact material combination first.

Where the profile has a purpose-made fixing flange, mechanical attachment may remain the principal fixing method.

Blending the Profile into Upholstery Foam

The profile should form a smooth transition into the surrounding furniture padding.

Browse foam sheets and upholstery foam where additional padding is required around arms, facings, seat fronts or furniture panels.

The foam should meet the profile without:

• Leaving a hollow
• Creating a raised step
• Compressing the profile out of shape
• Producing a sharp ridge
• Leaving exposed timber
• Interfering with the flange

Shape or taper the adjoining foam where necessary.

The finished edge should be assessed by touch as well as sight before the fabric is fitted.

A ridge that is clearly felt through the wadding will usually remain available for inspection through the finished upholstery.

Adding Polyester Wadding

Use polyester wadding to soften suitable transitions between the profile, foam and final covering.

Wadding can help:

• Reduce minor surface irregularities
• Soften a firm foam edge
• Improve fabric movement
• Reduce visible profile lines
• Create a fuller upholstered finish

It should not be used to hide a badly fitted profile or a large gap.

Apply the wadding smoothly and avoid bulky overlaps along the most visible edge.

Keep the profile’s intended shape rather than wrapping it with so much padding that its definition disappears entirely.

Furniture Panels and Arm Facings

Profiles are frequently used alongside upholstery cardboard and fibreboard when making suitable furniture panels, arm facings and shaped backs.

The board creates the panel surface, while the edge profile can help form or soften its perimeter.

Plan the complete build-up:

• Furniture frame
• Panel board
• Edge profile
• Foam
• Wadding
• Fabric or vinyl
• Fixing allowance

The panel must still have adequate structural support.

Cardboard, fibreboard and edge profile should not be treated as replacements for damaged frame timber.

Covering Profiles with Upholstery Fabric or Vinyl

Browse upholstery vinyl and fabric for the final furniture covering.

The fabric must be capable of following the profile without:

• Excessive stretching
• Wrinkling
• Bridging over a hollow
• Marking at the fixing flange
• Becoming too bulky at corners
• Distorting its pattern

Heavier vinyl and coated fabrics may require a broader radius than a flexible woven fabric.

Warmth can make some vinyls more workable, but heating methods must be controlled and suitable for the exact material.

Make a sample where the profile, foam and covering combination is new.

Forming Corners and Curves

Flexible edge rolls can follow suitable curves, but the flange may need controlled relief cuts.

Any cuts should:

• Stop short of the rounded profile
• Remain within the concealed flange
• Be spaced evenly
• Avoid weakening the edge
• Allow the roll to follow the frame naturally

Do not cut deeply into the main profile.

For an outside corner, decide whether the profile should:

• Bend continuously
• Be mitred
• Be butt joined
• End before the corner
• Change into another profile

The method depends on the product, furniture design and finished appearance.

Rigid two-metre profiles may require mitred or carefully shaped joints rather than being forced around a curve they were never designed to follow.

Joining Edge Rolls

Place joins away from the most visible or heavily contacted area where possible.

The two profile ends should meet:

• Squarely
• Without a gap
• Without overlapping
• At the same height
• Without changing the edge diameter
• With both flanges securely fixed

A small gap can produce a visible dip beneath the fabric.

An overlap creates a lump.

There is not a third option in which both faults somehow cancel each other out.

Repairing Existing Furniture Edges

When reupholstering a chair or sofa, inspect the existing edge profile after the cover and padding have been removed.

Look for:

• Crushed paper roll
• Split plastic profile
• Flattened foam edge
• Loose staples
• Missing sections
• Water damage
• Broken frame timber
• Previous makeshift repairs
• Profile installed at inconsistent heights

Retain a sample of the original material for comparison.

Where the original profile remains sound and correctly positioned, it may be possible to reuse it. Where it has collapsed, broken or become permanently distorted, replace it before fitting new padding.

Browse staple removers, tack lifters and ripping chisels for removing old fixings carefully during furniture stripping.

Inspect and repair the frame before installing the replacement profile.

Edge Rolls, Piping Cord and Tacking Strips

These three product groups perform different jobs.

Profiles and edge rolls

Profiles and edge rolls sit beneath the upholstery and shape or pad the furniture-frame edge.

Piping cord

Upholstery piping cord is covered with fabric and normally sewn into a visible cushion or furniture seam.

Tacking strips

Upholstery tacking strips are used to create neat concealed fabric edges on suitable outside backs, arms and panels.

A finished chair may contain all three:

• Edge roll shaping the arm
• Piping defining a visible seam
• Tacking strip closing an outside panel

They are related parts of the wider upholstery process, but they are not substitutes for one another.

Tools and Associated Products for Fitting Edge Profiles

The most relevant associated ranges are:

Measuring and Marking Tools

Use measuring and marking tools to position the profile, mark joins and maintain consistent production dimensions.

Knives, Foam Cutters and Shears

Use knives and foam cutters for compatible foam, recon and plastic profiles.

Use upholstery shears and snips for suitable paper rolls, Corovin flanges and adjoining covering materials.

Upholstery Staples and Tackers

Use upholstery staples with compatible pneumatic tackers where the chosen profile and furniture construction call for staple fixing.

Foam and Wadding

Use upholstery foam and polyester wadding to blend the profile into the adjoining furniture padding.

Cardboard and Fibreboard

Use upholstery cardboard and fibreboard for compatible arm facings, furniture backs, panel work and templates.

Upholstery Fabric and Vinyl

Use upholstery vinyl and fabric for the final furniture covering.

Spray Adhesive

Use upholstery spray adhesive only where it is compatible with the profile and adjoining foam or padding.

These links follow the actual furniture-building sequence. Sewing threads, zips, fire labels and unrelated brackets have deliberately not been inserted simply to increase the internal-link count.

Common Edge-Profile Mistakes

Avoid:

• Confusing edge roll with piping cord
• Choosing by diameter without checking the complete profile
• Ignoring flange width
• Attaching a profile to damaged frame timber
• Using the wrong staple length
• Driving staples through the rounded section
• Allowing the roll to twist
• Leaving gaps between joined lengths
• Overlapping profile ends
• Forcing a rigid profile around a curve
• Covering a badly fitted profile with excessive wadding
• Applying untested solvent adhesive
• Assuming all P-shaped profiles are interchangeable
• Ordering specialist OKE strips without an installation drawing
• Treating paper edge roll as moisture resistant
• Failing to allow for foam, wadding and covering thickness

The profile establishes the furniture edge. Once it has been covered, every error in its line remains present—only more expensively dressed.

Related Workroom Supplies

Return to the Workroom Supplies hub for furniture panels, tacking strips, adhesives, piping, tapes and other upholstery sundries.

For a typical furniture arm or facing project, the most relevant product journey is:

• Cardboard or fibreboard panel material
• Upholstery profile or edge roll
• Upholstery staples
• Pneumatic staple gun or tacker
• Upholstery foam
• Polyester wadding
• Upholstery fabric or vinyl
• Knives and foam cutters
• Measuring and marking tools

For a completed outside panel, upholstery tacking strips may then provide the appropriate concealed fabric edge.

Trade Upholstery Profiles and Edge Rolls

Livedale supplies foam, paper, plastic and recon upholstery profiles to professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, repair workshops and production workrooms throughout the UK.

Many products are available by the metre as well as in full rolls, coils, boxes or trade lengths, allowing customers to purchase for individual repairs or repeated furniture manufacture.

Approved trade customers can access preferential trade pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Select the profile according to its cross-section, dimensions, firmness and intended installation method rather than the product name alone.