Coffee tables are a lovely way to provide one of your rooms with aesthetic appeal. They're not only visually pleasing but also functional, serving as a place to hold items like cups, books, additional decorations, etc.
In many cases these tables are made of wood, though they can also be crafted from metal, glass, marble, or a mixture of these and/or other materials. Depending on the materials chosen, the lifespan of a coffee table can vary, from one or two years to decades. There's one thing, however, that can increase that longevity and ensure your table top surface remains untarnished—epoxy resin.
Epoxy resin is a sealant often used to finish table tops, countertops, and other types of furniture or fixtures. It starts out as a liquid and hardens into a powerful, sturdy solid with a transparent glasslike appearance.
When planning for a coffee table, whether constructing one from scratch or simply considering an epoxy finish for a finished table (which can be just as nice for aesthetic reasons as much as for the protection it offers) its important to obtain the right kind of epoxy.
In this article, we'll talk about which epoxy is best to use for finishing a coffee table. Our focus will be on what provides the highest level of protection while also ensuring a beautiful result that is visually pleasing and requires little maintenance.
What is the best epoxy for coffee tables?
When it comes to choosing the ideal type of epoxy for coffee tables, there are typically two options to consider. These are:
Generally, table top epoxy is better for most coffe tables, whereas deep pour epoxy is for river coffee tables. Let's compare the two.
UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy
A high-quality table top epoxy is the most common choice for a coffee table. This type of epoxy boasts the highest level of strength compared to others, and it's designed for thin layers that are incredibly resilient against physical damage, strong chemicals, and inclement weather such as rain or snow.
Our UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy is top-tier among epoxies when it comes to durability. In a durability test using the Shore hardness scale, it rated a 98 out of 100. Additionally, it's highly convenient to use, being commercial-grade in quality for professionals while also being beginner friendly for aspiring DIYers.
Here's a primary list of features for UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy:
- Incredible durability—It's extremely durable against physical impacts, with a 98 out of 100 on the Shore hardness scale.
- Crystal-clear appearance—Once cured, this epoxy appears as a smooth, transparent film. It can also be colored with epoxy pigments if desired.
- Waterproofing properties—It cures to a waterproof finish, preventing liquids and similar substances from permeating and staining the epoxy or any underlying materials.
- Chemical resilience—Unlike most finishes, epoxy has a reasonably high chemical resistance. While it isn't immune to harsh solvents like acetone or bleach, it can withstand exposure to them for long enough to permit cleanup without developing imperfections.
- Ease of use—This epoxy is commercial-grade but easy to use. A self-leveling formula allows beginners to simply measure, mix, and pour the epoxy onto a surface. After a hands-off curing period, the epoxy surface will harden and be ready for use.
- Long-lasting lifespan—UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy has a minimum lifespan of 7 years when applied properly. That duration can easily be renewed at any point with a light sanding followed by reapplication.
UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy
UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy exists as a specialized alternative to table top epoxy. Unlike table top epoxy, deep pour epoxy is less about sheer physical strength and more about versatility. It has a much lower viscosity which prevents it from self-leveling but enables much thicker pours as a single layer. Furthermore, deep pour epoxy isn't quite as durable as table top epoxy.
Our UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy is most commonly often used for river table projects. It supports extra thick layers of up to 2 inches and is usable even by beginners. Experienced professionals can achieve as much as 4 inches in a single layer without bubbles or curing problems. This is most valuable for the river vein portion of a river table, which often requires much high depth than what table top epoxy allows for.
While it's still durable enough to be comfortably interacted with as a surface, many users opt to apply a thin topcoat of UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy to provide the highest level of protection.
Here are the primary features of UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy:
- High durability—Despite not being as strong as table top epoxy, this commercial-grade deep pour epoxy still holds its own and can even be used on its own without need for a topcoat in most situations.
- Transparent appearance—Even through its extra thick layers, our Deep Pour Epoxy remains transparent when applied properly, allowing for substrate materials and any embedded elements to be visible as desired. It can be tinted with clean, vivid colors using resin dyes or made opaque with unique mica powder pigments.
- Waterproofing—Much like with table top epoxy, our deep pour epoxy provides a waterproof seal onced cured.
- Ease of use—Working with a deep pour epoxy is a little more complicated than with table top epoxy, but UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy makes it stress-free with our easy 2:1 ratio and lengthy working times of at least 30 minutes once mixed.
- Extensive lifespan—Users of this epoxy also benefit from UltraClear's extra-long lifespan. When applied properly, it will last for a minimum of 7 years before any need for reapplication or siginificant touch-up.
So which type of epoxy should be used for coffee tables?
The answer to this depends on the type of coffee table you're working with.
Use UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy if your coffee table is any of the following:
- A conventional table with a smooth solid table top.
- A table top with a porous but fairly level surface (e.g., rough wood)
- Or most other coffee table tops, as long as they don't need a thick layer or have deep gaps to fill in.
Use UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy if your coffee table is any of the following:
- A river table which requires a river vein deeper than 1/4 of an inch.
- A custom table top that needs a thick layer of epoxy (more then 1/4 inch).
- A table top with deep grooves or gaps that you want to fill in with epoxy.
You can also combine the two by applying a topcoat of UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy to any Deep Pour Epoxy coffee table project. This will provide the strongest possible finish while allowing you to first customize your project with deep epoxy layers.
UltraClear Epoxy: Resin products of unmatched quality
As with any material, epoxy resin has both pros and cons. But no other sealant has so few weaknesses, and that's what puts epoxy above all other options when it comes to being a finish for high-traffic fixtures and furniture such as countertops, table tops, and bar tops. And among epoxy resin products, there are none that match the quality of UltraClear.
You can find our UltraClear Epoxy products on the following pages:
- UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy: The classic choice for bar tops, countertops, and table tops. Rock-solid, waterproof, and crystal-clear.
- UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy: Our deep pour casting resin. Ideal for thick layers, such as those needed for river tables.
- UltraClear Art & Craft Epoxy: Our arts and crafts resin, designed for smaller artistic endeavors which typically involve resin molds and require a bit more fluidity than bar top epoxy.
Epoxies that endure, with minimal upkeep
With high chemical and physical resistance, UltraClear resins can withstand and endure many forms of wear and tear without breaking a sweat or showcasing any cosmetic damage.
Plus, in addition to its ease of application, they also require little upkeep to maintain its pristine appearance. With a high-quality epoxy finish, you can expect a minimum lifespan of 7 years, with no need for reapplication. Beyond that, it's a breeze to renew that coating, requiring only a light sanding and a fresh layer of epoxy.
Expert support from our resin specialists
For more information about epoxy, or for assistance with your epoxy project, contact us at UltraClear Epoxy, where you can speak with one of our epoxy experts. During business hours, you can also text chat online with one of our resin specialists by clicking the Help button at the bottom of your screen.
