 Why are epoxy tables so expensive? This is a question I see a lot online and there aren’t a lot of resources available that explain why epoxy river tables are so expensive. I decided to write a quick blog explaining the cost of an epoxy table and what goes into them. The Materials: The first factor in the price of an epoxy river table is the materials. Typically most epoxy tables are made using some type of live edge wood. This can be just about anything from live edge walnut or maple, to exotic burls or other unique species of wood. The cost of the wood can vary greatly depending on the size, thickness, species, and other factors such as cutting, drying, and processing the slabs. Suitable slabs for most tables are between $1200-2400 but can range quite high. The Molds The live edge wood is usually put into some type of mold either made from melamine or a form of plastic. These molds are normally made each time a table is being created and are only good for one use. The materials used to create the mold are generally fairly expensive but also require a lot of prep work as well. Tuck tape, or sheathing tape, is usually applied to the mold to prevent the epoxy from sticking unless the mold is made from a shiny material, which epoxy won’t stick to. The edges are usually screwed on from underneath and caulking or hot glue is used to seal it. Epoxy Once the mold is ready and the wood is cleaned up,we then seal the edges and surface with a fast-curing epoxy. The curing process takes a few hours before the full pour is done. The cost of the fast epoxy is about $50 for a 1-liter kit. The next step is to use a deep case epoxy which is very expensive. The product used at G&B Urban Design retails for around $260/ 3 gallon kit. Most tables require between 3-8 kits depending on the size, with the average table taking around 5 kits. The total cost of this averages around $1300 but again can vary depending on the size and depth of the epoxy. Processing... Again Once the epoxy is cured (about 3 days) then it needs to be taken to a large planer to be flattened again so that the wood and epoxy are level. This type of specialty machinery is very expensive so most makers do not own one and have to outsource the work. This process can also require transport fees if the maker doesn’t own a large enough vehicle. Topcoat and finishing Once the table is flattened, it needs to either receive a flood coat of tabletop epoxy to seal the whole top, or it needs to be sanded to be oiled. The epoxy flood coat costs another $100/ gallon and still needs to be sanded and sprayed with a polyurethane or acrylic topcoat at roughly $30/ liter. If deciding on an oiled finish rather than a flood coat, the epoxy needs to be sanded through several steps and then buffed. Each sanding disk used costs around $1 depending on the quality and the process takes a couple of hours. A hard oil such as Rubio Monocoat is applied to protect the wood and comes at a cost of $80/ can if the finished result doesn’t call for the flood coat. Table Legs Of course, no table is a table if it’s on the floor. This means that there needs to be some type of base or table legs to support the top. These can be made from steel or wood and can vary in cost from a few hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the choices. In addition to the legs are all the other pieces of hardware that go along with the legs such as the threaded inserts, steel support channels, bold hardware, and leveling feet. Disposables and Cleanup Whenever working with epoxy there is never a shortage of mess. Between the several sticky buckets that cost between $3-5 each and can’t be reused, the tarps protecting the floor, the ruined clothes and shoes, and all the other challenges that come with the territory, In total, you can easily add another $50 in disposables and cleanup. Labour Then you need to factor in the labour and experience of the person creating your custom table. Epoxy river tables are not easy and a lot can go wrong, causing costly mistakes. Each maker will have their own rates that are typically correlated to their experience and comfort level. At G&B Urban Design, we have been working with epoxy for over a decade now so we know what to expect. This allows us to price our products accurately and fairly based on the work involved to create one of these pieces of art. Conclusion As you can see, the total average cost of an epoxy river table can range quite a lot. An average-size epoxy table would be expected to run the maker upwards of $3000+ just to create. Now that you know why epoxy tables cost so much, you can make a decision if investing in an epoxy river table is the right decision for you. If you have more questions about the price of a river table or why river tables are worth so much, contact us at info@grainandburl.com and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have. 
0 Comments
 Wondering how to care for wood furniture?
Quality wood furniture can look beautiful for centuries when taken care of properly. If you're looking to protect care for your wood furniture, there are some best practices to follow. Wood furniture is typically made from kiln-dried lumber and protected with a wood coating or sealant. These coatings are usually some form of polyurethane or acrylic topcoat and are sprayed on the wood. Alternatively, oil finishs can also be used and are typically wiped on a wood surface. Each type of wood finish will have its own recommended cleaning and care instructions, however, there are some common practices that you should follow when cleaning and caring for wood furniture. Here are 10 tips for caring for wood furniture so that it will last generations
I can never stress this enough. If you really want to take care of your wooden furniture, the best thing you can do is protect the surface with things like coasters, placemats, table runners and hot plates. Putting anything, hot or cold directly on the surface of the table will eventually cause damage to the finish and possibly dent and scratch the finish. Taking the time to put down a placemat can drastically improve the longevity of your furniture.
Wood is considered a living material. This means that it will continue to expand and contract seasonally and based on environmental factors such as humidity, sunlight, moisture, etc. Avoid keeping wood furniture in areas with high humidity fluctuations. Using a dehumidifier can also help balance the humidity levels in your home. Placing your furniture near a large window can also cause your furniture’s finish to yellow and wear faster. Using sheer curtains can help soften the light and protect the colour and finish.
Dusting can be a chore and no one really wants to do it but keeping your furniture dust free can help protect the finish from scratches and stains. Using a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe down your furniture often can prevent abrasive or sticky particles from damaging the surface when items are placed down.
Making sure to keep the surface of your wood clean is a good way to increase the life of your furniture. Never use all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners or products with high wax content advertised as “wood polish”. Yes, there are some great wood polishes, waxes, and butter on the market but you aren’t likely to find them at your local grocery store. These products are highly specialized and should be purchased from a specialty woodworking store like Hobby Hardware or Lee Valley. These retailers are highly experienced with wood furniture and only carry high-quality cleaning products. If you don’t want to invest in these types of products, you can simply use warm water and a touch of dish soap on a soft damp cloth, or a natural cleaner like orange soap. Avoid using a paper towel or other products that may leave fine scratches.
If you do happen to choose to add a layer of polish or wax to protect the surface, be sure not to use too much. Polish and wax is meant to be used sparingly and should not collect on the surface. Be sure to use a soft cloth to apply and remove the wax and use a small circular motion to avoid scratches.
Small scratches and dents are inimitable but if taken care of properly and right away, can help avoid worse damages in the future. A scratch or dent might not seem too troublesome, however, in these cases, it usually damages the protective finish and can allow things like moisture to reach the wood surface. Addressing damage right away can help prevent additional damages and will keep your furniture looking new. Sometimes this can be achieved with wax or polish, sometimes it needs more TLC than you can manage yourself. The beauty of wood furniture is that, in most cases, it can be repaired and refinished quite easily. There are many products on the market that can help repair a damaged piece of furniture but if you’re not experienced in wood finishing, it’s likely best that you take your furniture to a professional to do the repairs.
As mentioned before, there are several types of wood finishes and each has its own best practices. Oil finishes have become increasingly popular recently thanks to YouTubers and DIY furniture makers who don’t have the space for professional spray equipment. In the case of an oiled finish, you should re-apply some fresh oil every season to ensure the wood doesn’t dry out and start to form cracks or warp. Common products that are finished in oil are charcuterie boards, cutting boards, butcher block countertops, and some dining tables. It’s best to consult with the manufacturer of the furniture to determine what type of oil was used and stick to the same brand whenever possible.
Antique furniture and more traditional Mennonite furniture tend to be finished with an oil and beeswax coating. If your furniture has a wax finish, you should re-apply some fresh wax (sparingly) every 6 months to a year. Although wax finishes are not as common these days, the luster the particular finish creates can be a beautiful addition to a beautiful furniture piece. Even if your furniture isn’t currently waxed, you may want to try adding a wax finish yourself. Just remember that once you add wax, you can’t add any other products over it. It is best to avoid wax finishes on high-traffic items such as dining tables or coffee tables. Cold or hot items placed on a wax finish can cause rings in your finish that may require completely stripping the furniture to fix.
Surprisingly, this is one of the most common ways people damage a furniture surface such as a dining table. Using writing utensils on a wooden surface can cause imprints and leave a relief of your message. Unless it’s your intention to hide a cryptic message on your table, it’s best to have some buffer between your furniture and your paper.
Despite your best efforts, it’s inevitable that your beautiful wood furniture gets stained. No matter what kind of mess it is, be sure to wipe it up as quickly as possible — the longer it sits, the more likely it will damage your finish.
|
Grain & BurlFollow our Journey of Salvage and Rescue As We Turn One Person's Trash Into Another's Treasure. Archives
November 2022
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
|
#2-165 Lexington Court,
|