Is Epoxy Resin Good For Table Tops?

Epoxy resin comes in a wide range of colors, shapes, and thicknesses, allowing you to create a table that complements the rest of your décor. The fact that epoxy resin can be pigmented to almost any color means that it can be used to match virtually any interior design aesthetic. This makes it an incredibly versatile option for table tops in restaurants, bars, and other commercial spaces.

If you’ve ever encountered epoxy resin in a professional setting, you’ve probably heard people refer to it as a form of plastic. However, epoxy resin is a type of synthetic material that, when combined with other substances, forms a tough, high-strength, high-impact coating with a high gloss finish.

Epoxy resin was first developed in 1941, and is now used in everything, from medical applications to construction materials. In manufacturing, it’s often used for industrial or marine applications, such as bridge repairs and boat hulls, due to its high strength and resistance to corrosion. It’s also used in the building of concrete floors in industrial settings. 

When used as a seal coat for bar tops, counter tops, and river tables, epoxy resin is most commonly combined with a hardening agent to form a durable cured surface. It’s a highly versatile substance that can be molded into numerous shapes and can be pigmented to almost any color. 

Keep reading to learn more about epoxy resin on table tops and how to apply it.

Is Epoxy Resin Good For Table Tops?

Epoxy resin is one of the most ideal finishes for tabletops, bars, and counters. As a synthetic material, it’s extremely durable and has a high resistance to impact. A cured epoxy table top also has a good hardness rating and doesn’t scratch easily, making it ideal for highly used areas, including tables.

Because the cured surface of epoxy is ultra-smooth, it’s very easy to clean, provided you don’t use abrasive sponges or harsh cleaners while cleaning. The chemicals and rough materials can damage the coloring or cause scratches to the epoxy surface.

Being available in a range of colors, epoxy resin offers a unique aesthetic to any tabletop, bar, or large surface area. The mixture can be left crystal clear or pigmented with any color or collection of colors to create a bespoke look. Common colors for epoxy tabletops include dark and light blues, deep reds, blacks, and grays.

Wooden tables are often found with epoxy resin streaked through an inner cavity to create a glossy, two-tone effect in the center of a table. Other surfaces, like stone, plastic, or metal bars and counters, are usually coated with resin in a block color or swirling, marble effect.

How Much Does Epoxy Resin For Tables Cost?

Epoxy resin is a durable substance with a desirable aesthetic, so it isn’t considered a cheap finish for table tops. On average, epoxy can cost between $80-$100 per gallon. Making an epoxy resin table can cost several hundreds of dollars, depending on how large the table or surface area is that you want to cover.

Since epoxy comes in a variety of colors, you can expect to pay more for certain types. Darker resins, like deep blues, black, brown, dark green, red, and dark gray, contain a higher pigment concentration. This makes them more expensive than lighter colors, like light grey, white, light blue, crystal clear, and tan.

Different thicknesses are also available, which impact the cost of epoxy resin. As standard, you can get epoxy between 1-8 inches thick. How much epoxy you need depends on the size of your table top. For tables, stick to resin that’s between ½ inch-2 inches thick. Naturally, the thicker the resin, the more durable it will be, but the harder it’ll be to apply.

Remember, pour mixed epoxy slowly to prevent air bubbles and ensure a thin seal coat is applied. It’s best to achieve a thicker coat by applying multiple thin layers of resin, rather than too much at once. Applying 2-4 coats of ½ inch thick resin is ideal for most tabletops. This ensures the finish is fully cured, durable, and scratch resistant.

Does Table Top Epoxy Scratch Easily?

Epoxy is a strong, highly durable mixture often used for outdoor applications (like waterproofing external wood), self leveling concrete floors, and protecting furniture from UV exposure.

When epoxy resin (combined with denatured alcohol) is applied to tabletops and sealed with UV resistant hardener components, it doesn’t scratch easily. Because of the strength of the chemicals, tabletops maintain a glossy finish that’s easy to clean with non-abrasive cleaners.

Despite its strength, you should avoid attempting to scratch the surface. Epoxy resin tabletops should be able to endure everyday use, including leaving keys and other items on the surface. When moving, protect the surface to avoid scratching or chipping the resin and don’t use abrasive sponges during cleaning.

Additionally, be careful when leaving hot items on epoxy tabletops. While most resin has a degree of heat resistance, it can get ring marks from very hot items after prolonged exposure, like leaving a hot pan, dish, or plate on the epoxy table top. Most epoxy resin has a heat deflection temperature of around 120 °F (48 °C), which is ideal for a warm cup of coffee.

When using epoxy on countertops, chopping boards, or a dining table, use pads underneath hot pans to protect the finish from rings, color fading, and general wear to the surface.  

How Many Coats of Epoxy Do I Need For a Table Top?

Epoxy is best applied in multiple thin layers until you’ve reached your desired thickness. Thick coats of resin harden too quickly and are extremely difficult to apply. It also creates an unpleasant, uneven surface, since epoxy doesn’t cure well when it’s too thick.

Usually, for an epoxy tabletop, you should aim for between 2-4 coats of resin before it’s strong enough to use. Each layer should be no more than 1/8 inch thick, leaving you with a ¼-½ inch thick resin upon completion.

When applying multiple coats of resin to a table top, pour slowly and use a foam roller to thinly spread the mixture across the table. Avoid having too much excess on the roller during application.

Let the surface dry completely and only apply the next layer after around 3-5 hours, when the resin and hardener are slightly hard but still tacky, or after leaving overnight.

Which Epoxy Resin is Best For Tables?

When applying an epoxy finish to tables, it’s best to use a purpose-built tabletop epoxy resin. Being specially designed for table finishings, this is the best type of epoxy resin to apply to wooden, fiberglass, plastic, or metal tables.

You’ll usually find various types of tabletop resin. Each type contains different mixtures of resin and other content, like polymer and glycidyl. Some will also contain more pigments than others, which impacts the color achieved. Others hold varying levels of hardeners that impact the surface texture.

To achieve a shiny, glossy finish for your tabletop, choose a resin with a high content of hardener or apply a hardener atop once dry. If mixing your own resin, make sure you mix slowly and properly and get the right ratio to achieve a shiny finish.

Remember, epoxy resin is naturally shiny, so hardener isn’t always required to make the surface appear glossy. For a matt effect on your resin tabletop, sand down the wet resin surface with 320-grit sandpaper. A paste will appear as you sand. When it becomes thick and dry, stop sanding.

Clean away the sanded residue thoroughly with a soft cloth and water. Once all sanding marks have been removed by cleaning, apply wax and polish the surface until you’ve achieved your desired matt effect.

How to Care for an Epoxy Resin Table

Epoxy resin table tops are water resistant and should be cleaned regularly to prevent a build-up of dirt and grime from everyday use. Never clean an epoxy resin table top with abrasive sponges or cleaners. These will scratch the surface, disrupt the protective membrane, and cause fading of the color. Instead, use a soft cloth with a warm, soapy cleaner or a gentle cleaning agent.

Summary

Epoxy resin table tops are an attractive and durable material that is perfect for commercial environments. While they may be more expensive than other materials, they’re also more durable and long-lasting. 

Since epoxy resin table tops are resistant to corrosion and scratches, they are ideal for businesses that have high-traffic foot patterns and need a table that can withstand years of heavy use. They are also easy to clean, making them an attractive option for just about any setting.