Laboratory Renovation
Laboratory benches and worktops
The worktop material decides how well a bench survives your chemicals, heat and cleaning regime. Here is how the common options compare.
How they are built
- Epoxy resin15 to 25 mm, the same all the way through
Illustration, not to exact scale.
- Stainless sheet1.5 to 2 mm, No. 4 or 2B
- Adhesive and dampingbonded, quiet
- Moisture-resistant boardrigid substrate
Illustration, not to exact scale.
Worktop materials
| Material | Thickness | Strengths | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy resin | 15 / 19 / 25 mm | Excellent chemical and heat resistance, withstands open flame, non-porous | Wet labs, hot work and corrosives |
| Phenolic resin | 13 / 16 / 19 / 25 mm | Lighter and lower cost, strong chemical resistance, copes well with cold | Mixed use, moderate heat |
| Compact HPL | About 20 mm | Economical, moisture resistant | Teaching and dry labs |
| Stainless steel | 1.5 – 2 mm sheet on board | Hygienic and easy to sanitise | Clean rooms, pharma, medical |
Typical values for guidance. Final specification is confirmed per project.
Standards
Laboratory workbenches are specified to EN 13150 (dimensions, safety requirements and test methods), and furniture layout to EN 14056.
Frequently asked questions
Epoxy or phenolic worktop?
Both resist most laboratory chemicals. Epoxy resin is cast through its full thickness, copes with open flame and hot vessels, and is heavier and costlier. Phenolic resin is lighter, cheaper and quicker to supply, but is not suited to open flame or sustained contact with very hot vessels. For frequent use of strong acids such as hydrofluoric or concentrated sulphuric, check the manufacturer’s chemical resistance chart.
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