Walk into any Australian removals supply shop and they will happily sell a stack of edge board. The tricky bit is knowing how much is enough, without overbuying and lugging leftovers back to the ute.
This guide breaks it down in plain terms. It sticks to real packing situations in Australia, from metro moves in Sydney and Melbourne to regional runs where the roads are rougher and the trip is longer.
What is edge board, and what does it actually protect?
Edge board is rigid cardboard or fibreboard strips that sit on corners and edges to stop crushing, dents, and strap damage. It spreads pressure so boxes, furniture and palletised loads do not take the full force in one spot.
In most household moves, edge board matters most for sharp corners, long edges, and anything getting strapped down. Think dining tables, framed art, white goods, flat pack boxes, and stacked cartons in a lorry.
How much edge board do they need for a typical household move?
For an average 2 to 3 bedroom Australian home, a practical starting point is 20 to 40 lengths of edge board, assuming standard 1.2 m strips. That usually covers the main furniture corners plus a handful of high risk cartons and appliances.
If they are doing a quick same suburb move with careful hand loading, they can sit closer to the low end. If it is a full day load, tight lorry pack, or multiple drop offs, the higher end starts to make sense.
What factors change how much edge board they should buy?
The biggest drivers are load density, strapping, and fragility. If they are strapping items hard to the lorry wall or to pallets, edge protection needs jump fast.
Distance also matters in Australia. A move from Brisbane to Rockhampton, or Perth to Kalgoorlie, is a different beast than shifting across town. More vibration and more handling usually means more edge board is worth it.
How do they calculate edge board for strapped items?
They should plan four pieces of edge board per strapped item as a baseline, one for each corner where a strap could bite. Add two more if the item is tall or the straps are likely to sit across broad faces and edges.
For example, a fridge strapped upright commonly needs 4 to 6 strips. A washing machine might need 4. A tall bookcase can need 6 to 8, depending on strap layout and whether it is bundled with other pieces.
How much edge board is needed for a dining table or desk?
Most tables and desks need 4 to 8 strips of edge board. Four strips cover the outer corners, and extra strips cover long edges if the item is getting strapped or stacked against something hard.
For a big hardwood table, especially if it is going into a removals lorry with tight packing, they often use 8 strips. It is one of those items that shows damage instantly, so overprotecting is rarely regretted.
How much edge board do they need for boxed items?
For cartons, they do not need edge board on every box. They should reserve it for stacks that are being strapped, or for high-value boxes like glassware, electronics, or artwork.
A good working rule is 1 strip per 3 to 5 boxes in a strapped stack, placed on the corners that take pressure. If they are building a tall stack in a truck bay, edge board helps stop the bottom boxes from collapsing at the corners.
Do they need edge board for artwork, mirrors, and TVs?
Yes, if it is framed, glazed, or has a rigid screen, edge board is cheap insurance. They should aim for 4 strips per item, plus extra if the item is large and likely to flex or be clamped by other furniture.
In Australian moves, this is especially relevant when items ride in a trailer or a small lorry without dedicated picture rails. Edge board prevents the dreaded corner crush that happens even when the face looks fine at first glance.
How does palletising change how much edge board they need?
Pallets eat edge board. If they are palletising storage or freight, they should expect 8 to 12 strips of edge board per pallet, depending on height and how many strap lines or wrap passes they use.
Two vertical corners per side is a common setup, then additional strips where straps cross. For interstate freight out of Sydney, Melbourne, or Adelaide, carriers often expect proper edge protection so straps do not damage cartons.
Is it better to buy longer or shorter lengths?
Longer strips reduce joins and weak points. In practice, 1.2 m is a common sweet spot in Australia because it fits most furniture edges and stores easily in a garage.
Shorter strips are handy for small corners and box stacks, but they can disappear quickly. If they are trying to avoid waste, longer lengths that can be cut down with a utility knife usually work better than buying only short pieces.
What is a simple room by room estimate they can follow?
They can estimate edge board by counting risk items per room and assigning strips. It is not perfect, but it keeps buying decisions grounded.
Here is a simple approach that suits many Australian homes:
- Living room: 8 to 16 for TV, console, coffee table, frames
- Dining: 8 to 12 for table and chairs
- Kitchen laundry: 8 to 16 for fridge, washer, tall pantry items
- Bedrooms: 4 to 12 for tallboys, desks, mirrors
- Garage shed: 4 to 10 for tool cabinets, awkward boxes
This style of tally usually lands them in the 20 to 40 range, then they adjust for strapping and distance.
When are they probably overbuying edge board?
If they are planning to put edge board on every carton and every chair leg, it is probably too much. Most damage in moves comes from pressure points, straps, and hard corners, not from the middle of a box panel.
A tell is when they cannot explain what each piece is protecting. If they cannot name the strap line or the edge at risk, they can likely remove that strip from the plan.
What is the minimum edge board they should not go below?
For a small unit or studio move, 10 to 15 strips of edge board is a sensible minimum. That covers a fridge or washing machine, a desk, and a couple of fragile items.
For a 2 to 3 bedroom home, going below 20 often means they will start skipping the most important corners. That is when strap marks and crushed edges appear, especially on longer Australian drives.
How do they make edge board go further without losing protection?
They should prioritise corners that take load and strap pressure, then re-use pieces during unloading. Edge board can be pulled off and shifted to the next item as soon as something is placed safely.
They can also pair it with moving blankets and stretch wrap. The blanket cushions, the wrap holds, and edge board takes the bite. Done together, they often need less edge board overall because each piece is doing a clearer job.
What should they buy for an Australian move, in one quick recommendation?
For most people, the safest buy is 30 strips of edge board for a 2 to 3 bedroom home, then adjust up if they are strapping heavily or going interstate. For a 4 bedroom home or a long distance move, 40 to 60 strips is more realistic.
If they want a no fuss rule, this works well: assume 4 to 6 strips of edge board per major appliance or large furniture item, then add 10 for fragile and boxed stacks. It is not fancy, but it stops most of the common damage seen in Australian moves.
Edge board is one of those supplies that feels optional until the first crushed corner shows up. Buying the right amount keeps the load neat, straps safer, and the unpacking a lot less painful.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is edge board and how does it protect my belongings during a move?
Edge board is rigid cardboard or fibreboard strips that fit on corners and edges of items to prevent crushing, dents, and strap damage. It spreads pressure evenly so boxes, furniture, and palletised loads don’t bear the full force in one spot, protecting sharp corners, long edges, and strapped items like dining tables, framed art, white goods, and stacked cartons.
How much edge board should I buy for a typical household move in Australia?
For an average 2 to 3 bedroom Australian home, start with 20 to 40 lengths of standard 1.2 m edge board strips. This usually covers main furniture corners plus several high-risk cartons and appliances. For quick local moves with careful loading, aim towards the lower end; for full-day loads or tight packing with multiple drop-offs, consider the higher end.
What factors influence the amount of edge board needed for a move?
Key factors include load density, whether items are strapped down tightly, fragility of possessions, and distance of the move. Moves involving strapping items to lorry walls or pallets require more edge protection. Longer trips on rougher roads increase vibration and handling, making additional edge board worthwhile.
How do I calculate how many pieces of edge board are needed for strapped items?
Plan on using four pieces of edge board per strapped item as a baseline—one for each corner where straps may cause damage. Add two more strips if the item is tall or straps cover broad faces or edges. For example, an upright fridge typically needs 4 to 6 strips; a washing machine about 4; and a tall bookcase may require 6 to 8 depending on strap layout.
Is edge board necessary for artwork, mirrors, and TVs during a move?
Yes. For framed or glazed artwork, mirrors, and TVs with rigid screens, edge board acts as inexpensive insurance against corner crush damage that might not be visible immediately. Aim for at least four strips per item plus extras for larger pieces prone to flexing or clamping by other furniture—especially important in trailers or small lorries without picture rails.
How can I estimate edge board requirements room by room for my Australian home move?
A practical approach is to tally risk items per room and assign strips accordingly: Living room (8–16 strips) for TV, console, coffee table; Dining area (8–12) for table and chairs; Kitchen/laundry (8–16) for fridge, washer, pantry items; Bedrooms (4–12) for tallboys, desks, mirrors; Garage/shed (4–10) for tool cabinets and awkward boxes. This method typically totals 20 to 40 strips before adjusting for strapping intensity and travel distance.
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