Economical Laboratory Benches for a Startup Laboratory

When it comes to setting up a laboratory, laboratory benches are the foundation. The simple reason is that most of the activities in the lab will be carried out on them. However, choosing the right material cannot be decided by only the budget, but requires careful consideration of the lab environment, load bearing capacity required, and chemical resistance.  Typically, lab benches for sale consist of two components:  1) base cabinets or casework and 2) countertop.  In this article we will discuss the base cabinet options that suits the type of work you do in your lab!

So, here are some of the most functional base cabinets made of different materials:

● Steel cabinets

Steel casework is one of the most common types of lab benches. They are known for their ruggedness and durability in a broad range of lab environments. Their smooth, painted surfaces makes them very easy to clean and wipe down when wet.

Another reason for considering metal cabinets is their durability; replacing them is usually not required except for lab expansion purposes. Since their material is strong, they stand up to structural damage and heavy impact. Furthermore, metal lab benches will bear the most weight of all the cabinet material choices.

While the durability factor makes them a good choice for almost all types of labs, they are prone to rust in wet, corrosive environments.  Of all the cabinet material choices, metal cabinets last the longest.

● Plastic laminate cabinets

Plastic laminate benches are a slightly more cost effective option. Aside from serving as a solid surface to work on, they also bring some aesthetic appeal to your laboratory. The cabinets and countertop are available in a staggeringly broad array of colors and finishes.

Plastic laminate cabinets are not durable and do not stand up to wet, corrosive environments.  Their load bearing capacity is significantly lower than metal cabinets.

● Maple Wood cabinets

Maple wood is one of the most affordable and hardest woods, so it only follows that maple wood lab desks are another option known for their ruggedness and durability. They are also aesthetically smooth due to their minimal grain.

Although they come in different styles and grades, maple wood lab benches are relatively affordable.

Maple wood benches are not conductive; however, they are vulnerable to burns and scratches.

● Phenolic Resin cabinets

For extreme conditions, phenolic resin cabinets are the best option.  Phenolic resin benches are resistant to chemicals, flame, and high temperatures. They can withstand heat up to 176°C(350°F) constantly. This makes them a good option for laboratories that are bound by combustion, fire safety, and toxicity regulations.

These lab benches are also bacteria, moisture, and fungus-resistant.  These cabinets will not rust.

Conclusion

When making a decision about the cabinetry choice for setting up a laboratory, ultimately the decision will be dependent on the work performed in the lab. The most economical bench will depend on factors like chemicals used, weight bearing needs, corrosion resistance, or availability on the used furniture market.