Replies

1. 
   Tom_Mistretta/RFD | Sep 25, 2000 09:59pm | #8

   *
   I am a laboratory designer.

   Lab Tops (www.labtops.com)is a good place for epoxy resin. There are other manufacturers, as well: Epoxyn(501-425-4321), Prime Industries (630-833-9280), Durcon (www.durconepoxy.com). The real issue is do you need the performance of epoxy resin, or are you looking for the aesthetic? Also, consider how "wet" your use is. Many older labs used impregnated sandstone (contact Waller Brothers 614-259-2356). Solid phenolic material is also available (Trespa, Pionite, and Wilsonart/Ralph Wilson Plastics are manufacturers). Solid phenolic comes with many color options for the top surface, but the edge is always black (so black is a nice top color choice). These materials are very heavy. ChemSurf, also made by Wilsonart (I think Nevamar now has an equivalent product)is a laminate to be applied to a particle board substrate. Generally it performs well, but you can scratch through the protective layers and begin to have problems. You can select from many colors options with the laminates.

   Your decision may vary if you have sinks in the tops: with epoxy resin you can epoxy in a drop in sink for a tight, essentially integral, application. Most of the others require a top mount or undermount sink. With the laminates it is hard to keep water from eventually working its way into the substrate. At least with the others, the substrate will withstand the moisture. There is a relatively new product called Kemresin Lite from Kewaunee (www.kewaunee.com), that consists of 1/4" of epoxy on a substrate. I do not have experience with it and know they have been making modifications (substrates) so it may be too early.

   Corian can be a durable material, but it requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking good. Sink sizes and shapes are limited. If it is really a loaboratory, proceed with caution. It is also probably the most expensive of the choices.

2. 
   Guest_ | Sep 25, 2000 09:59pm | #9

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   You know the black/slate colored countertops in school
   chemistry labs ?
   What is the stuff called and is it available from anywhere besides
   a school supply house, where they charge an arm and a leg for it ?
   It seems to be a synthetic material but I am not certain.
   Thanks for your help.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 20, 2000 12:01am | #1

   *In the old days they were soapstone. No longer, it seems. Fisher Scientific (The first supply house I grabbed; they are all the same) sells a cast epoxy counter top material, with chemical resistant fillers in it. They are ungodly heavy, and to my surprise when they were installing some, surprisingly warped.Fisher sells them in 1-inch thick pieces, 30" deep, and 96" wide for a catalog list of $636. Other places sell them, and the costs are invariably discounted.Backsplashes ("Curbs" in the catalog) are 3/4" thick. A 96" curb lists for $85.They are assembled by gravity and black silicone RTV. Backsplashes and joints are mounted with black epoxy wiped in and smoothed off. Joints in our installation were about 1/8" wide.I doubt if Fisher sell to an individual, but some will. All will sell to firms, including cabinetry houses.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 20, 2000 12:38am | #2

   *It's called "Fireslate" Search the archives, there's some info there. Joe H

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 20, 2000 02:22pm | #3

   *Fireslate (now Fireslate II) is a precast (concrete) product that is really quite different from the epoxy resin lab countertops that you refer to, for instance, like this.Jeff

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 20, 2000 08:59pm | #4

   *I am currently purchasing lab stations for a high school biology and chemistry labs. I looked at Fisher but they are very price. Fisher works through area peps - you can buy direct but you won't get better pricing that way. The peps can get better prices.Our vendor is Lab rafters - they are cheaper than Fisher and they have a good reputation in commercial labs.There is also at least one vendor using Corian for lab surfaces - this is industrial strength Corian that carries a 10 year warranty for lab work from Dupont. It's not cheap but it does look good.

2. 
   Guest_ | Sep 24, 2000 11:49am | #6

   *You may also check in your local area for labs going out of business. It's a tough business and it happens all the time. The place I worked at went through 3 companies in 7 years! I can't remember what the surface material is called, but I do know they have the solid (very heavy and very expensive) and a "temp" version that is the same material laminated over a wood surface. The later is not as expensive and will last quite a while depending on the chemicals you will be using. VWR is another company that might supply the surfacing materials.Good luck!!

3. 
   Guest_ | Sep 22, 2000 07:39am | #5

   *I was exceedingly bummed when my brother lost the lease on a former cosmetics factory that he'd subdivided into apartments. Hadn't gotten around to salvaging the 40 linear feet of granite lab countertops. Having gas jets every 4 feet is handy when you want to warm up your tea. -David

4. 
   KBZ_ENTERPRISES | Sep 24, 2000 10:37pm | #7

   *LAB TOPS In texas is a good place to start also there is a laminate product called KEM-SURF It is plastic-laminate and works well with most chemicals.. It all dependes on what the lab does and what chemicals it uses a good lab designer will tell you what you can and cant use for your lab. If you need help on this please contact me at [email protected] I do all types of lab design and Install .... Also there is a product called terespa it is a ressen counter top and will hold up to almost all chemicals...