Traditionally countertops are constructed of wood, stone, tile, and metal. Recently epoxy resin has become a new option that offers many upsides these traditional options don’t offer. I decided to build a epoxy resin countertop because I needed a light and durable countertop that looked original didn’t cost a fortune to make. The countertop I built was made for a tiny house so it needed to be light to keep the weight if the house down so the house was easier to move.
What is the best countertop material?
| Tile | Stone | Composite | Wood | Metal | Epoxy Resin | |
| Aesthetics | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Ease of install | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Cost | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Durability | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Most countertops are made of composite, wood, stone, metal and now epoxy resin. From my graph above I compare the various types of countertop material from 1-5. As you can see epoxy resin offers many upsides when being compared to other countertop options. More people should consider an epoxy resin countertop as an option especially if they plan on building it DIY.
Is epoxy resin good for countertops?
An epoxy resin countertop can offer a very unique look to a house with low cost and lighter weight than stone or tile. I think marble, granite and quartz look nice but nothing catches the eye like a colorful epoxy resin counter top. The dyes used to make the epoxy resin come in all different colors allowing you to stray from normal color arrangements.
My epoxy resin countertop is a pink reddish hue with colors mixed in that make it look like a galaxy. This is not a look you can get out of traditional counter top materials. You can customize the look of the counter to any colors or interpretation you want. I have seen people make river or beach scenes out of epoxy resin.
Do epoxy countertops scratch easily?
No they do not. The surface is very durable, more than wood. Stone may be a little harder but epoxy resin is not far off.
Can you put hot stuff on epoxy countertops?
Epoxy resin countertops are very durable and can withstand heat as well as any other material. There is a limit however where heat can break any material. Using caution is always suggested.
The pouring process for epoxy resin countertop
The pouring process can be a bit challenging to form the countertop but installing the countertop itself is very easy. You can pour the epoxy resin on a piece of sheet wood and install it onto lower cabinets in the kitchen. Epoxy resin counter tops are easy to install and lightweight as well.
Epoxy resin countertops are also durable as well. The resin dries to a hard water proof layer that resists scratches and dings. Epoxy resin is more durable than wood and keeps the sheen of the clear coat for its usable life.
How do I build an epoxy resin counter top?
The hardest part of building an epoxy resin counter top is executing the timing of pouring the epoxy. The epoxy sets very fast so colors need to be mixed and poured very quickly. Pouring epoxy resin is a very improvisational process and requires an artistic eye.
Buying the materials for epoxy resin countertop
To get started you will need clear epoxy resin in part A and part B containers. My countertop was 14 SqFt so I needed a half gallon of part A and a half gallon of part B to cover the space. This includes multiple layers of epoxy including a final clear coat layer. I bought a 16 color epoxy resin pigment to mix with the epoxy resin to the desired color. A heat gun is a good choice if you want to spread the epoxy resin and smooth out bubbles that may form. You will also need cups, a disposable mixing vessel and a stirrer.
Measure the space
Measure how big you want the counter top area to be. For me my countertop was 2’x7’ with holes cut for the sink and stove and notches cut for the framing of the house. I started by cutting a piece of 1/8”plywood to 2’x7’ and then I slid the wood form over the cabinets and made markings for where the notches in the countertop would slide into place around the framing of the house.
Cutting the notches
Cut notches in the wood mold so it will slide into place over the cabinets and be in the right spot. I had to cut 5 notches so the countertop would fit in place. Once the counter top is in place I made markings on the piece of wood where the holes would be cut for the sink and stove top.
Cutting the holes for sinks and stove tops
After fitting the mold on top of the cabinets I had accurate holes that needed to be cut for the sink and stovetop. Using a jigsaw I cut a circular hole for the sink and a rectangular hole for where the stove would slide into place. After cutting the holes in the mold double check your work by sliding the mold over the cabinets to make sure the holes line up.
Prime the counter top mold
Before you can pour the epoxy the surface must be primed so the epoxy has more of a surface to stick to. I used white paint as a primer layer covering all the areas that would receive epoxy resin.
Prepare the countertop mold for pouring
I would recommend doing the epoxy pour outside because the resin has a very noxious odor when it is being mixed and the dripping epoxy can cause a mess. I set up 3 stools underneath the countertop mold to hold it up and placed a drop cloth underneath to catch any drips. If you have to do the epoxy pour inside I would recommend opening the windows and having a fan suck out the fumes.
I prepared by having multiple disposable mixing vessels ready and all of the dyes I wanted to use to mix into the epoxy resin. You will also need stirring devices to mix the resin and dye in the mixing vessels. Wear clothes that don’t mind getting dirty.
Begin the pour!
Start by mixing some of the part A and part B in the mixing vessel enough for a first batch. Mix the part A and part B together with the stirrer. Pour some of the epoxy mixture into the smaller cups and drop different dyes into each cup. Mix the dyes with the epoxy liquid until it is evenly distributed in each cup. Be quick with everything because the epoxy sets very fast.
Pour the colors
Start pouring the colors on the countertop mold in any pattern you desire. There is no right or wrong way to do this. You can use the stirring stick to drag through the resin you pour creating patterns. You can go in with a planned color scheme and planned scene or you can just improv and create random colors.
I have seen some people try to imitate the look of stone by using mostly white dyed epoxy with lines of black and gray. I have seen people use the blue dye to create a river or ocean scene. The possibilities are endless!
My color choice
I chose to do completely random colors and swirl them with the stirring stick to create a multicolored galaxy look. The dye kit I bough came with 16 colors so there were many to choose from. The dominant tone in the countertop is a pinkish red with blue, purple and green splotches. I also incorporated regular spray paint and latex paint into the pattern of the table.
A method I used was spraying some gray spray paint and using the heat gun to make the gray spray paint expand and shift into a lattice type of structure. The latex paint splotches added some topography and depth to the table. The more coats of epoxy you apply the more depth the countertop wiill aesthetically gain.
Pop bubbles
After every coat use the heat gun to blow out any bubbles that form while the epoxy is curing. The heat gun loosens up the epoxy while it is curing and pops the bubble. This will also smooth the surface of the epoxy making a smooth finish.
Add multiple coats
After you are done with first round of mixed cups you will need to mix more part A and part B in the mixing vessel. Stir and pour in more mixing cups with new color dyes. Keep pouring multiple layers of new dyes getting good equal exposure of the epoxy to all over the countertop mold. I would recommend to do at least 3 layers of the dyed epoxy and 1 clear coat. 1 gallon of epoxy mix should have good coverage on a space that is 14 SqFt.
Clear coat
A clear coat of just part A and part B with no dye so it is clear. This clear coat is necessary to seal in the dyed layers. This will ensure longevity of the table for it to sustain dings and scratches. Make sure to apply the clear coat very carefully because it is the final and most visible coat.
You are now done with pouring epoxy!
Extra credit
For a polished look that had some pop I painted the edge of the counter blue to compliment the red of the epoxy. I used clear coat sealer in a can to seal in the painted edge of the countertop mold.
Installing the epoxy resin countertop in the kitchen
The countertop should slide right back into place where it did before you poured the epoxy. It is a very exciting moment getting to see the epoxy resin countertop in its new environment. The counter top will lay on the bottom cabinets and can be screwed into the frame of the bottom cabinet. I saved a little bit of epoxy and dye to cover the screw holes for a polished look.
Granite Trim
To finish things off I had some leftover granite from a previous project so I cut some trim pieces for the gap between the counter and the wall. I cut the granite strips to size with an angle grinder with masonry blade attached. I glued the granite trim pieces into place and sealed with silicone sealer.
All and all it was somewhat stressful pouring the epoxy with the fast cure times but the final product was beautiful.
How much does an epoxy resin counter top cost?
| Materials | 1 gallon epoxy A+B | Dyes | 1/8 inch plywood | Total |
| Cost | $63 | $11.99 | $15 | 89.99 |
A good estimate of cost is between $4-$6 per square foot. For me I had 14 SqFt of countertop space so to cover that I needed to spend $11.99 for the dyes, $63 for the 1 gallon epoxy resin both part A and part B, 1/8 inch plywood sheet $15. So total costs were $89.99. This breaks down to a 6.4 dollar per square foot measurement. I could see how if someone was trying to do more square footage of epoxy they could get a lower dollar per foot than this buy buying epoxy in bulk.
Conclusion: Epoxy resin countertops are a great choice over other materials.
More resources: https://artincontext.org/best-epoxy-resin/