One of the most popular solid surface tops for use with laboratory tables is made by a company called Trespa. The TopLab Plus surface has become the countertop of choice for laboratories worldwide. What makes this surface ideal for a lab environment is its stain and chemical resistant qualities. Labs must be both clean and hygienic and worktops are particularly vulnerable to contamination, making it necessary to find a surface that is as easy to clean as it is durable.
The TopLab Plus surface panels meet laboratory requirements and are water, chemical, and wear resistant. As long as aggressive chemicals are removed from the surface within 24 hours, they will not mark the countertop. The surface is non-porous, which allows the anti-microbial property to be incorporated into the material without need for additives or coatings. This feature does not wear away during the lifetime of the surface, so bacterial stains will always dry relatively quickly and mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms will not grow on the surface or penetrate it.
Flexibility is a quality that results from the Trespa material serving a purpose in a multi-functional environment. This surface is durable enough for use in a mobile environment and provides added strength to a lecture classroom or laboratory. Impact resistance is what makes it most suitable for mobile use in equipment such as trolleys. The surface should retain its original appearance for years, limiting equipment overhead costs.
Many customers are concerned about the environmental impact resulting from creation of laboratory furniture. Environmental considerations were taken into account during development of the TopLab Plus material. Softwood harvested from certified forests is converted into a material that is durable, moisture-resistant, low maintenance, and attractive. This environmentally sound process is used to produce all TopLab Plus panels.
As much as 70 percent of the wood based fibers and most of the raw materials are made from sustainable resources. The panel size has been optimized to reduce waste and the surface technology reduces maintenance and cleaning requirements. Fewer joints accommodate hygienic environments and gluing panels to a sub-structure is not necessary. The company has taken other eco-friendly steps, including ensuring that discharge and emissions fall within acceptable limits, eliminating corrosive and toxic gases, and improving reduction of waste. Optimum routes and efficient delivery ensure that even the transport process is not wasteful.
In addition to resisting chemicals, stains, and moisture, this surface also resists heat. Continuous exposure to temperatures up to 284 degrees is feasible and exposure of 20 minutes or less to temperatures as high as 356 degrees can also be accommodated without any negative effects. The surface can handle a high-temperature experimental environment as well as one that accommodates equipment such as computers.
Trespa solid work surfaces can be designed to include grooves, drainage holes, sinks, and other accessories determined by the purpose of the laboratory. Laboratory tables that feature Trespa TopLab can even be altered following installation to accommodate changes in work practices. Recutting and retrofitting will not negatively affect surface appearance or performance.
