Lab
countertops
When it comes to choosing the right type of stone for your lab countertops, it’s
wise to consider slabs that are built to last. After all,
nothing is worse than discovering
your workspace is prone to staining, mildew, or germs. Not only will this make your laboratory unattractive, but it
results in unsanitary conditions that may affect your work.
So what is the best type of stone for lab countertops? This depends on a
number of different factors.
Along with your budget, the type of work you do also affects your choice
drastically. For example, slate countertops are renowned for being incredibly resistant toward heat.
However, as they’re also an incredibly absorbent type of stone, this makes them a
poor choice if you work regularly with chemicals or acids.
Your budget and the size of your laboratory also plays a significant role. For
example, quartz countertops are ideal for laboratory conditions due to their resilient nature, but they’re also
quite expensive. While this might not be a problem for a small laboratory, furnishing a larger one with quartz
countertops might be more than what you can afford.
The ideal stone for your lab countertops is one that is
resistant toward work related stains, burns, and scratches without being too expensive. Fortunately, there are a
variety of different stones that are durable enough and affordable enough to do just that.
Soapstone, for example, is a popular choice for lab countertops due to its naturally
nonporous stone. This results in stone that is all but impossible to stain. It is also unusually resistant towards
heat as well, making it ideal for using Bunsen burners as well as using boiling pots or beakers. They are unique in
that not only are they scorch resistant, but they also distribute heat evenly, preventing cracking and distortion
as well.
Granite, like slate, tends to absorb chemicals, but with liberal application of a
quality sealer, you should be able to keep the worst of it at bay. Granite is also a hard, dense stone that is
resistant toward heat and scratches, making it ideal for busy workstations.
Finally, if your budget allows, quartz lab countertops are also incredibly ideal if
you can afford it. Unlike slate or granite, you won’t need to apply a sealer to this stone, as its nonporous
surface prevents liquids and acids from seeping past the surface. It is also highly resistant toward heat and
scratches. When you consider that quartz is only outdone by diamonds, topaz, and sapphires in terms of hardness,
it’s easy to see why. Learn more today about why these stones and others are ideal choices for your lab
countertops!
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