Having the right lab tables for your science laboratory is vital to the success of your students, employees, and scientists alike. It not only has a significant impact on what your lab achieves but also sets the tone for your workspace in terms of its aesthetic and functionality.
While phenolic resins are a popular choice, solid surface countertops are among the top materials that give some of the most customization options when it comes to this work surface and your workspace. Below, we will take a look at four great ways you can create your solid countertops to bring out the most detail and productivity from its users.
Continue reading below to find out more and shop with LabTech Supply Company today to discover all of the great countertops, lab tables, and phenolic table top options we can create for your lab.
4 Great Ways to Personalize Your Solid Surface Countertops
Choosing the right countertop is one of the most important considerations to make when building or upgrading a laboratory, as they must be long-lasting, resists heat, and be resistant to chemicals, water, and germs, and other components commonly found in lab workspaces. Solid countertops are frequently chosen for their practicality in lab spaces, but they are also equally as attractive as many other lab equipment selections.
Here are four ways to consider customizing your solid surface countertops for your laboratory:
Include Colors and Patterns
One of the most common ways lab managers choose to customize their solid countertops is by using various colors and patterns to add visual interest.
Solid surface countertops are made of a non-porous, uniform material with the same composition all the way through. A solid surface is similar to plastic in that it is often made of resin with a filler ingredient.
Minerals and binding resins are blended with a powdered filler (usually aluminum trihydrate) and pigments to make solid countertops. These minerals account for about 66 percent of the final product, while binding resins account for 33 percent.
The ability to choose a hue that complements your lab work environment or provides a customized look to your laboratory, whether it’s clean, sleek white or brilliant reds, warm golds, or bold blues, is a feature many enjoy. The natural stone component is frequently determined by your overall concept for the countertop’s ultimate appearance.
For a high-end look, many people choose minerals that look like granite, marble, or natural stone, but these color and pattern options for quartz countertops come in a wide range of variations, allowing you to completely personalize the aesthetic of your solid surface.
Consider a Unique Finish
Another great way to create your solid surface is by applying a unique finish to the surface.
Special finishes, such as gel coating, gloss, matte, and textured appearances, can be used to create subtle finishes. For example, acrylic, polyester, and plastic are all commonly used with solid surface countertops.
However, compared to matte or semi-gloss surfaces, high-gloss surfaces reflect a lot of light and give rooms a sleek, gleaming aspect, which means they can be more difficult to keep clean and are more likely to show scratches on the countertop.
Cleaners containing oxalic acid can be used to remove dark stains. Use a damp cloth and a small bit of mild abrasive cleaner to remove stains from colors, blood, and other things like vinegar.
That being said, if you want a high-gloss finish, you should use a lab equipment company that uses sanders and low-speed polishers to provide uniform results. Furthermore, you should also use a professional lab countertop company to restore its high-gloss appearance using various refinishing and polishing techniques.
Make it Multifunctional
As with every lab, ensuring that your solid surface is ready for any type of work environment is crucial. As such, customizing its functionality is one of the best ways to personalize this lab surface.
While solid surface material is most commonly associated with counters, it can also be used to build other complementary pieces for your countertop. The softness of countertops solid surface material is greater than that of many other types of materials, allowing manufacturers to shape solid surfaces in a variety of ways using heat and pressure.
Additionally, because solid surface material can also be molded to make sinks, backsplashes, and other fixtures found in manufacturing and laboratory environments. This feature of the solid surface allows manufacturers to make big countertop components or mold many parts to fit together flawlessly.
However, don’t be fooled by a solid surface’s softness. One of the many benefits of a solid surface counters is its high impact resistance due to its uniform construction. This allows it to withstand impacts better than multi-layered countertops such as laminate.
Other benefits include their ease of upkeep, as they don’t require substantial cleaning and are also non-porous, meaning they can be cleaned with soap and water or a light cleaner. This prevents bacteria, mildew, and stains from growing by keeping moisture from seeping through the surface.
This feature also makes it an excellent choice for a variety of situations and lab applications. The limited porosity of solid surface counters fosters a cleaner, more sanitary work workspace, which is incredibly beneficial to lab workspaces that demand hygienic work areas.
Add Customized Edging
Lastly, customized edging is another great option to give your solid surface countertop a truly unique look.
As previously mentioned, because solid surface countertop materials can be easily molded into a number of shapes and sizes, manufacturers can also provide a wide range of edging alternatives to their lab countertops. This is an important solid surface countertop component to consider since many people choose this material for its adaptability.
Consider considerations such as the design of your lab space and your budget when selecting edges, as a more intricate edge can be more expensive. While edging options vary by manufacturer, be sure to ask about any of the edging options they provide for their solid surface countertops.
The best countertop manufacturers and suppliers will work with you to figure out what kinds of customizations you can get for your money. They will also be upfront with you about the expected delivery date for your order and ensure that any other requirements for this lab investment are met.
Need Help Choosing Your Perfect Material? LabTech Supply Company Can Help
The work surface material you choose is critical when it comes to furnishing a new lab space or upgrading an existing lab. As you can see, solid surface countertops offer numerous advantages from a logistical standpoint and in terms of customization and functionality.
Do you want to learn more about solid surface materials that are available for your laboratory?
At LabTech Supply Company, we recognize that our customers are looking for new and innovative ways to keep their labs up to date with the latest technology. For more than 30 years, we’ve provided customers with a complete selection of lab countertops and lab furniture for all types of work environments.
To learn more about our vast selection of lab tables and lab equipment, contact LabTech Supply Company to speak with one of our lab equipment experts about how we can assist you in making the best decision for your needs.
