How cost-effective are epoxy resin countertops?

Epoxy countertops provide some of the best value for the cost. Epoxy counters are mid-tier in terms of cost, while being one of the most well-rounded laboratory work surfaces available. When it comes to multipurpose use, epoxy counters are the best possible choice for labs on a budget. There is a lower overall cost for epoxy counters compared to specialized counter materials.

How long do epoxy resin countertops last?

Epoxy resin countertops can easily last 10+ years with proper care. Overall, epoxy counters have very high durability.

Do epoxy resin countertops stain?

Epoxy countertops will stain if spills are not adequately cleaned up. For this reason, black is the preferred color for epoxy countertops in laboratory settings.

Industrial-grade wood lab surfaces

Edge-grain maple butcher block installation

PSA Laboratory Furniture supplies labs with custom cut butcher block counters made from edge-grain maple. Butcher block as a countertop material is durable enough to withstand extreme physical or rough experiments. The main benefit of this particular laboratory countertop is its ability to undergo a lot of wear and tear while remaining cost-effective.

Benefits of wood laboratory work surfaces

At PSA, we use edge-grain maple wood coated in Durakryl 102®. This chemical is resistant to bleach, alcohol, and many other caustic substances. While incredibly sturdy, it should be noted this material displays poor chemical, heat, and moisture resistance. Since butcher's block is difficult to fully sanitize, it is not recommended for labs dealing with a lot of bacterial samples or moisture. This should be taken into consideration for more delicate experiments that may be better off with stainless steel, or the multi-purpose epoxy resin countertops.

Butcher's block is heavy and simple to repair. This makes it a favorite medium for physical experiments where a great deal of cutting, smashing, or force may take place. Edge grain maple makes for one of the sturdiest counter materials available for laboratory work.

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Countertop Resistance and Cost Ratings

	Epoxy Resin	Phenolic Resin	Stainless Steel
Price Range	$$ - $$$	$$ - $$$	$$$ - $$$$
Applications	Varies	Varies	Selective
Material Overview	Sleek black surface that is generally durable and resistant to most lab environments.	Highly resistant, lightweight surface that is durable in most lab environments.	Premium option for durability, damage resistance and functionality.
Easily cleaned & maintained?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Resistant To:
Chemicals	. . .	. . .	. . .
Abrasions	. . .	. . .	. . .
Heat	. . .	. . .	. . .
Impact	. . .	. . .	. . .
Moisture	. . .	. . .	. . .
Bacteria	. . .	. . .	. . .

	Butcher Block	Laminate
Price Range	$$ - $$$	$ - $$
Applications	Selective	Selective
Material Overview	Aesthetically appealing surface that can burn & scratch easily, can be repaired.	A cost-effective surface that can burn & scratch, but is mostly stain-resistant.
Easily cleaned & maintained?	No	No
Resistant To:
Chemicals	. . .	. . .
Abrasions	. . .	. . .
Heat	. . .	. . .
Impact	. . .	. . .
Moisture	. . .	. . .
Bacteria	. . .	. . .

Lab countertops, work benches and cabinets

Black epoxy resin lab work surface Maple Butcher's Block countertop Stainless steel lab work surface with sink Stainless steel countertops & island Stainless steel sink & washing assembly Lab design with white phenolic resin countertops

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Lab Design and Remodeling Service

We supply:

Casework and cabinetry
Ventilation equipment including fume hoods and laminar flow devices
Adaptable furniture systems for mobile work
Safety accessories

When you work with PSA Laboratory Furniture, our team will assist you from the initial design phase all the way to furniture and countertop installation.