A lot of people want non-toxic materials for their kitchen countertops. Epoxy is a good choice as a countertop replacement that is not toxic to you or the environment. Here is everything you need to know about epoxy countertops.

Pros Of Epoxy Countertops

Seamless And Durable

With epoxy countertops, you don’t need to worry about seams showing through. Seams are not an issue in these countertops since these slabs are continuous and they don’t have any line of separation or fusion between them. Another great thing about epoxy countertops is that they are just as durable as any other natural stone or man-made stone which are used for making countertops. It also has a lustrous sheen to it which is a huge plus.

Heat Resistant

Epoxy is naturally heat resistant. Though it is not entirely heat-proof and consistent contact of heat with these countertops can lead to heat stains, it is still very much resistant to heat stains. Epoxy is a hard substance and it dries to a clear and hard finish, which is a great barrier between the hot pot and the countertop surface. You can easily put hot pots and pans on the countertop if you don’t have a trivet on hand, but it’s better to use trivets for hot pans and pots in order to make sure that the countertop lasts longer and doesn’t get ruined by those hideous black heat stains.

Non-Toxic And Safe

One of the greatest advantages of epoxy countertops is that it is non-toxic. It does not have any harsh ingredients in it like other fillers and sealants. There is no emission or radiation of harmful toxins and gasses from epoxy and it is also safe to be in contact with food. The main reason why epoxy is considered non-toxic is because of the fact that the resin has been cured completely. This leads to zero emissions and the presence of VOCs in the epoxy. It is a great choice of countertops if you are worried about other materials being toxic.

Cons Of Epoxy Countertops

Messy To Apply

Epoxy is not actually material for countertops, rather it is more like a sealant that can be applied to any countertop surface. So, it’s more like a goopy sealant that can be applied to any countertop surface. Although it is a great thing, it can be messy to apply because it is naturally quite thick and it takes a lot of effort and patience to apply it in a thin layer all over the countertop. It is not as forgiving when it comes to the application so you need to work fast and efficiently in order to get the process done.

Doing It Right The First Time

Epoxy also has no room for error. It is a thick sealant and it dries up pretty quickly too. You need to get the application right the first time, otherwise, any mistake can lead to total damage to the countertop and it cannot be salvaged under any circumstance. You need to be fast yet patient with the application process in order to get the sealant on the surface of the countertop in an even layer. The best way to do it is to work in small increments and go from there.

Stains Can Easily Show

Epoxy, although it is heat resistant, is not resistant to stains. Food stains can easily show up on the surface of these countertops and this can be even more intensified when the layers of epoxy are uneven or the application is done haphazardly. Because of these things, epoxy can be a hard thing to work with. It seems almost impossible to apply epoxy on any countertop on your own. If the application is blotchy, then it will lead to a lot of stains and heat damage and it will eventually ruin your countertops earlier than you would expect.

Conclusion

There you have it! Now you know all of the good and not-so-good things about epoxy countertops. With this information in mind, you can easily decide if you want to go for it or not. Get in contact with granite countertop installers Durham NC to discuss countertop color, design, and installation procedure.