A Beginners Guide To
Factors to consider when purchasing a good laboratory countertop
In a typical science, laboratory, nearly all the work is done at the top of a counter. For this reason, it is important that the countertops purchased to meet a very high standard. First of all, the countertops must be made of a highly durable material. This is because of the corrosive nature of chemicals used in the lab. If the material is not durable, any chemical spilled in the lab during an experiment will wear the countertop out, resulting in a lot of damage, which in turn results in extra expenditure in terms of repair or replacements.
Secondly, the countertop must be easy to clean. Imagine a case whereby a scientist spills colored chemicals such as Potassium Manganate VII and tries to clean it off but faces difficulty. This would be a mark on the professionalism of the scientist. This is because scientists have a reputation for being very clean people. If the chemicals can’t be cleaned, the reputation of the scientists will be damaged. A good material for the countertop in terms of ease to clean is stainless steel. Stainless steel is easy to wipe off and can be cleaned in no time, as compared to many other types of materials.
Thirdly, it is important for the material in use to make the countertop to be chemically resistant and not flammable. Chemicals can cause a lot of damage in the hands of a novice. If the laboratory is being used in a teaching and learning set up, it is important that the risk of students making mistakes is factored in when the purchase of the countertop is being made. The material making the countertop must be such that when anyone spills a chemical or has a problem handling fires, the countertop does not contribute to more damage than is already caused. if the countertop upon which the student is working does not spread the fire, it will be easy to quench it and control the fire.
Fourth, it is important that the aspect of cost is factored in. Most educational institutions that require countertops for an academic set up are normally run on a very tight budget. As is the case in any market, there are always vendors that overprice their items. For this reason, one should have a keen eye for detail, and spot the countertops that are overpriced for no reason, then avoid them. Even though many people say cheap is expensive, it is better to buy something at a low cost than buy it at a very high cost for no gain.
Lastly, the aesthetics of the laboratory must also be considered. Buying a countertop is not just about its utility. How it looks is very important. Since painting countertops are out of the picture, owing to the flammable nature of paint, many people opt for marble or tile countertops. These countertops are hard and tough, non-corrosive, durable and ultimately look very good. They are almost always the best option to go for.