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Epoxy Countertops Vancouver
An epoxy countertop is a poured resin surface built in layers over your existing counter, with the colour, veining or metallic pattern worked in by hand. We install epoxy countertops across Greater Vancouver for kitchens, bathrooms, basement bars and commercial counters, usually over the laminate, wood or concrete that is already there. Here is what it does well, where it falls short, and how the job runs.
No Tear-Out
Poured over existing tops
Custom
Metallic and stone-look
500+
Floors completed
What You Get
Epoxy Countertops, Poured in Place
The same resin chemistry we use on metallic epoxy floors works on a countertop, on a smaller scale and with more hand work. The finished top is one continuous surface with no seams, wrapped over the front edge, in a finish nobody else in the building will have.
- Marble and stone looks. A light base with veining pulled through the flood coat by hand.
- Metallic finishes. Pearlescent pigments that move and shimmer, the same look as our metallic floors.
- Solid colours. Clean, simple and the most forgiving to live with.
- Clear coats over wood. A glassy protective layer on a butcher block or live-edge bar top.
Where It Works
Kitchens, Baths, Bars and Commercial Counters
- Kitchen counters and islands where the cabinets are sound but the top is dated.
- Bathroom vanities. Use a heat mat for curling irons and flat irons.
- Basement bars and games rooms, often done to match an epoxy floor in the same space. See basement epoxy flooring.
- Commercial counters. Bar tops, reception desks, retail counters and cafe counters. For food-prep surfaces, check your health authority's requirements first.
Counters that are lifting, soft or swollen from water damage are not a good base. If yours are, we will tell you at the assessment rather than pour over a problem.
Honest Pros and Cons
What Epoxy Countertops Do Well, and Where They Fall Short
| Good at | Not as good at |
|---|---|
| One-of-a-kind looks, metallic and stone patterns | Heat: hot pans need a trivet every time |
| No seams and no grout lines to clean | Knives: cut on a board, it will scratch |
| Goes over the counter you have, so no tear-out | Direct sun: clear coats can yellow over time |
| Can be sanded and recoated instead of replaced | Patience: several days before normal use |
If your kitchen sees a lot of hot pots going straight onto the counter, quartz or stone will suit you better, and we would rather tell you that now than after the pour.
The Process
How an Epoxy Countertop Is Installed
- Protect the room. Cabinets, floors and walls are covered, because resin drips over the edges.
- Prep. The top is cleaned, sanded and repaired. Sinks, faucets and cooktops are masked or removed as the job needs, and anything that needs a plumber or electrician is flagged in the quote.
- Seal coat. A thin first coat seals the surface and edges so air does not bubble up into the finish.
- Base colour. The background colour of the pattern goes down and cures.
- Flood coat. The main pour, with veining or metallic pigment worked in by hand while it is still wet.
- Cure and handover. The counter is left to cure before use, and we go over care with you. The timing for your job is in the quote.
Care
Looking After an Epoxy Countertop
- Wipe up with warm water and a mild dish soap. Skip abrasive powders and scouring pads.
- Use trivets for anything hot and a board for anything sharp.
- Wipe up strong solvents such as nail polish remover quickly.
- When the surface starts to look tired, it can be lightly sanded and given a fresh top coat.
Cost
Epoxy Countertop Cost
Epoxy countertops are quoted per project after we see photos or the counters themselves. The price depends on:
- The length of counter, islands and edges.
- The condition of the existing top and how much repair it needs.
- The finish: a solid colour takes less hand work than marble veining or a metallic pattern.
- Sinks, cooktops and backsplash details that need extra masking or removal.
You get a written quote with the finish, the schedule and the care instructions before any work starts. GST (5%) is additional.
FAQ
Epoxy Countertops: Frequently Asked Questions
Can epoxy be poured over existing countertops?
Yes, if the existing top is solid and well attached. Laminate, wood, concrete and some tile counters can all be coated once they are cleaned, sanded and sealed. Laminate that is lifting at the seams or particleboard that has swollen near the sink is not a good base and has to be repaired or replaced first.
How long does an epoxy countertop take?
Most kitchens take a few days on site, because each layer has to cure before the next goes on: prep and seal coat, a base colour, then the flood coat with the pattern worked in. After the last pour the counter needs further cure time before normal use. Your quote lists the schedule for your job.
Can I put hot pots on an epoxy countertop?
No. Cured epoxy handles warm plates and mugs, but a pan straight off the stove or a hot baking dish can soften or mark it. Treat it the way you would a laminate counter and use a trivet every time. That is the biggest day-to-day difference from stone or quartz.
Will an epoxy countertop scratch?
It resists everyday wear, but it is not scratch-proof. Knives will mark it, and sliding cast iron or ceramic across the surface leaves fine scratches over time. Cut on a board. Light scratches can be buffed, and a worn counter can be sanded and given a fresh top coat.
Will an epoxy countertop turn yellow?
Clear epoxy can yellow over time in direct sunlight. Pigmented finishes, such as solid colours and metallics, hide it far better than a clear coat over wood, though white and light marble-look finishes can also show some yellowing over time. For a counter beside a south-facing window or an outdoor bar, we talk through the finish and the exposure before you choose.
Are epoxy countertops safe for food?
Fully cured epoxy is hard and non-porous, which makes it easy to wipe clean. Whether a specific product is rated for direct food contact depends on its formulation, so ask us for the data on the product used for your counter. Either way, prep food on a cutting board.
How long do epoxy countertops last?
A well-prepared epoxy counter lasts for many years with normal care: trivets for hot pans, a board for cutting, and mild cleaners. The top layer can be sanded and recoated rather than replaced when it starts to look worn, which is one of the main advantages over laminate.
Is an epoxy countertop cheaper than quartz?
Usually, because the existing counter stays in place, so there is no tear-out and no new slab to template and install. The trade-off is heat and scratch resistance, where quartz and stone are stronger. Epoxy is quoted per project, and we are happy to talk through whether it suits how you use your kitchen.
Related
Related Services
- Metallic epoxy floors in the same finishes.
- Residential epoxy flooring for kitchens and living areas on concrete.
- Basement epoxy flooring to match a basement bar.
- Commercial epoxy flooring for restaurants and retail.
Get a Free Epoxy Countertop Quote
Send a few photos of your counters, the rough length, and the look you are after. We will tell you if the existing tops are a good base and send a written quote.