From education to research, development, and testing, laboratories are used for a variety of purposes. As a result, it’s vital that you choose lab equipment not just for today’s use but also for future purposes.
Depending on its specific use, lab tables and lab furniture alike must be made from high-quality, durable materials that can withstand the everyday use it will undergo in any lab environment. Continue reading below as we look at six incredibly durable lab bench tables and their qualities to discover which would be the best fit for your laboratory’s needs.
If you’re looking for high-quality lab equipment that is built to last in any lab work environment, contact LabTech Supply Company today to discover why we are the preferred laboratory supplies company for all scientists.
Buyer’s Guide of Durable Lab Bench Tables
Schools, laboratories, hospitals, research facilities, and surgery centers all use laboratory and science lab furniture on a regular basis. As such, answering questions regarding the function of the tables is necessary when purchasing the ideal lab bench tables for your laboratory.
Here are a few things to think about when choosing your lab bench table:
Consider the Amount of Lab Space Available
Some science tables are not suited for some labs due to space limits. Consider round lab tables or ones with risers in this scenario to increase the work area without taking up more floor space.
Your Laboratory’s Needs
Consider the types of instruments and resources you’ll need if you’re going to host a lot of research in your laboratory. It could be a good idea to buy a few simple tables as well as a few tables with sinks, power outlets, and whiteboards.
The Needs of Your Students or Staff Members
It’s helpful to have scientific tables constructed to boost accessibility for all individuals who will be using your laboratory, as well as individuals who are impaired, to ensure all ADA-compliance regulations are met. The majority of ADA-compliant lab tables are movable and come with plenty of storage, a sink, and optional mirrors.
How Much Storage Space You Require
There is a large assortment of science tables with storage compartments. Appropriate storage, which includes everything from drawers and shelves to reading nooks and cabinets, may make a lab setting safer and more comfortable. Take inventory of your lab’s available storage, and if space is limited, science tables with additional storage can be used as a compliment.
Here are a few other things to consider before selecting a lab bench table work surface:
- Inquire about the laboratory’s specific demands and the needs of the individuals who will be using the lab.
- Consider looking into science lab tables with shelves, drawers, and cabinets if you or your staff require tables that prioritize storage.
- Examine the lab’s storage requirements as well as the available space for additional storage options.
- Purchase science lab tables that are constructed of high-quality materials to endure the projects or experiments that will be carried out on them.
6 of the Best Lab Bench Tables for Your Lab
Choosing the right surface material for your laboratory workbenches is critical when furnishing or updating a laboratory. The key to a successful laboratory renovation project is selecting appropriate surfaces based on the needs of the individuals who will be using the equipment and what type of work will be performed.
Here are six of the most durable materials we recommend that you consider using for your lab bench tables:
Solid Epoxy Resin Lab Table Top
Solid epoxy resin surfaces are the gold standard of scientific lab tables and are one of the most common lab surfaces for most laboratory applications. Solid epoxy resin countertops are manufactured by combining several ingredients, molded, and oven cured into a solid table.
Solid epoxy resin science tables are beautiful, incredibly durable, and economical, with a clean look that works well in both modern and historic labs. They come in about any color you can think of.
Solid epoxy resin tables are also non-porous and water and moisture resistant, making them excellent for use near sinks and other high-moisture areas. Epoxy resin science tables are shockproof, chemical-resistant, and UV resistant, making their longevity and minimal upkeep one of their primary advantages.
However, this is one of the most expensive options due to a limited amount of manufacturers. The decision to pay the extra money for this material will be based on whether you require the higher heat resistance and the ability to use open flames on your lab worktop.
Phenolic Resin Lab Table Top
Phenolic science lab tables were among the first commercially mass-produced polymeric product and are incredibly long-lasting, light, and chemical-resistant. These types of laboratory tables are created by soaking numerous layers of kraft paper in phenolic resin and then placing the slab in a high-temperature oven for a thermosetting process.
One of the critical advantages of phenolic resin science tables, as previously said, is their chemical resistance, as they are able to withstand continuous heat exposure of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, phenolic resin countertops are unaffected by common laboratory chemicals or other harsh circumstances, making it ideal for use in high-risk environments.
This surface is frequently thermofused, resulting in a continuous surface where the top meets the sides, making it easier to clean and disinfect, which is especially useful in biology labs. This is an excellent choice for a table that will be used in a full-time laboratory setting, such as a dedicated chemistry lab or a demonstration desk.
Another significant advantage of phenolic resin is its low cost and simplicity of acquisition. It’s generally easier to come by than solid epoxy, and it’s also more cost-effective. Phenolic resin is, without a doubt, the ideal material for lab workbenches that require a high level of resilience.
High-Pressure Laminate Lab Table Top
Another excellent alternative for research workstations and industrial situations that require robust lab surfaces but not those that can withstand excessive temperatures is high-pressure laminate. In comparison to other lab materials, high-pressure laminate is also reasonably inexpensive.
Because of the protective layer, the high-pressure plastic laminate top is particularly resistant to scratches and hard impacts, allowing it to preserve its gloss for much longer than other materials. High-pressure laminate also has a low water absorption and moisture content, making it exceptionally resilient in the face of changing environmental circumstances.
Furthermore, due to its moisture resistance, high-pressure laminate is one of the most sanitary materials available, as it is an antibacterial substance with a surface that is so solid that dirt cannot penetrate it. High-pressure laminate is also stain and UV-resistant, which means the color won’t fade over time, giving you a science lab table with a stable and uniform tone.
However, while this is the most cost-effective surface, it is not resistant to the high heat and harsh chemicals found in the lab. Exposure to extreme temperatures over 275°F for extended periods of time is not recommended.
ChemGuard Laminate Lab Table Top
Spills of highly corrosive chemicals can ruin laboratory tables and benches, and fire and heat from reactive chemicals and Bunsen burners can damage a solid surface. Fortunately, a chemical-resistant lab surface material will safeguard your work environment from spills, heat, and ordinary wear and tear, allowing your lab surface to last longer.
Coating this type of ornamental surface paper with melamine resin and connecting it to a core of kraft sheets saturated in phenolic resin creates chemical laminate science tables. The result is a stunning solid surface that is also functional, long-lasting, and chemically resistant, and available in various patterns, colors, and designs.
One of the best things about laminate with excellent chemical resistance is that it’s a great option if you want a low-cost lab surface that’s both chemically resistant and has a more designer appeal. It is in the intermediate price range, less expensive than epoxy resin and stainless steel.
The only disadvantage is that it should only be used for dry applications and is more readily damaged. Exposure to extreme temperatures over 275°F for extended periods of time is also not recommended.
Stainless Steel Lab Table Top
Stainless steel is another typical surface material used in the construction of science tables. It is utilized in a variety of industries, including hospitals, science laboratories, operating rooms, and commercial and home kitchens, due to its durability and hygienic properties.
The corrosion and stain resistance of stainless steel science tables is achieved by using low carbon steel and a ten percent addition of chromium. Stainless steel is also unrivaled in terms of durability and is relatively robust, and holds its shape over time.
Furthermore, these science tables are very resistant to considerable impact and structural damage, and their stiffness is maintained across a wide temperature range of around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. Stainless steel lab benches and scientific tables are ideal for sterile environments due to their superior heat and chemical resistance.
There will also be very few grooves, fissures, and cracks if the steel is well maintained, making it much simpler to keep the steel clean. While scratch resistance is low on stainless steel table tops and can dent quickly on impact, stainless steel table tops will last longer and look better if it is properly cleaned and maintained.
Welded Fiber with Black Powder Coat Lab Table Top
Last but certainly not least, welded fiber with black powder coat lab surfaces are another great alternative.
These tables, which have been powder coated twice, will not discolor, etch, or show symptoms when exposed to the standard lab chemicals. This softly textured surface also provides far better scratch resistance than standard ChemGuard laminate, in addition to excellent chemical protection.
Because of its chemically resistant coating, there are no seams for these table tops to collect dangerous chemicals or impurities over time. These types of lab surfaces also have rounded safety edges and are made of a thick, 1″ welded fiber foundation with a robust fiberboard core.
Find The Right Work Surface Material for Your Lab
Regardless of its purpose, lab equipment should be viewed as a long-term investment, which means it’s critical to think about the type of work you’re doing in your lab today and what you might conduct in the future. While budget is always an essential consideration, your decision must be able to withstand the test of time as well as the demands of your lab’s needs.
If you’re looking for the best work surface materials for your lab furnishing or renovation, LabTech Supply Company is ready to assist you.
At LabTech Supply Company, we provide a wide range of lab furniture options for your laboratory workstations. We can design and produce lab benches for any lab workspace, from high school science labs to college and professional-level lab environments. Create your ideal laboratory workspace with the help of our team of lab equipment experts.
Contact LabTech Supply Company today to speak directly with one of our lab equipment specialists to learn more about our comprehensive range of lab workstations, countertops, and tables and how we can help you.
