Laboratory Countertops & Worksurfaces

There are a variety of lab countertop materials to choose from when designing or remodeling your lab. Selecting the correct work surface material will help ensure optimal performance and design flexibility. Some common considerations are the requirements of your specific industry and needs. A biosafety lab will have different requirements than a R&D lab.

There are a number of materials available to ensure you get the best performance and life from your lab workbench. The most common are:

• Epoxy resin
• Chemical Resistant Phenolic Resin/TRESPA TopLab
• FunderMax
• Stainless steel
• Polypropylene

Selecting the right countertops for your lab is extremely important to the longevity and usability of worksurfaces. A few primary considerations are:

1. What is your industry?
2. What is the function of the lab?
3. Will personnel be using chemicals or heat?
4. Are there any design requirements, such as color, in place?
5. What safety protocols will be required (such as lab fumehoods or other containment methods)
6. What is your lab design budget?

Knowing the answer to these initial questions can help guide you, or our lab design team, to selecting the correct countertop material.

View Top Materials Below – Get a Quote!

Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin countertops are extremely durable, and resistant to a large range of carbon-based and corrosive chemicals. Thermal resistance is also very high, making it ideal for use in industrial and chemical laboratory settings.

This material is difficult to customize in the field, and requires a team of highly experienced installers. Lead times are typically longer for epoxy resin tops.

Phenolic Resin

Phenolic resin is manufactured from phenol and formaldehyde. The synthetic polymer is used to saturate multiple layers of kraft papers, which are fused together with heat and pressure to create a solid surface.

Phenolic resin laboratory countertops are a cost-effective choice and also provide a high degree of chemical and thermal resistance (up to 350°F). Ideal for medical, bioscience and clinical settings.

TRESPA HPL & SPC

Trespa Toplab is a brand of phenolic resin that combines durability and price. Toplab offers electron beam cured tops available in standard or fire-retardant grades. This work surface material is created using up to 70% wood-based fibers saturated in thermosetting resins. TRESPA tops offer design flexibility and are easy to machine.

Stainless Steel

Custom stainless steel countertops and furnishings are commonly found in industrial labs, bioresearch and healthcare environments. This material is non-porous and easy to sterilize. Stainless steel can also withstand extremely high temperatures.

Antibacterial benefits of stainless steel tops combined with its higher tolerances makes them ideal in biological, clean room, food testing and medical labs to name a few. Available in #304 and heavier duty #316 alloys.

Stainless steel typically requires a greater upfront investment than many other available lab countertop materials.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that provides a high level of chemical solvent, base and acid resistance. This material is commonly used in lab environments including trace metal analysis, hematology and food sciences. Polypropylene has a moderate-to-high level of moisture resistance and is perfect for labs that commonly use corrosive materials.

CFI is committed to finding the right lab countertop or workbench solutions for your needs. We have over 60 years of experience and an outstanding reputation.

Our epoxy products are certified for safe indoor air quality, for use in food handling areas and tested using SEFA standards. In addition, all CFI crews and field installers are fully insured to meet all job site requirements.