Workbench Tops
Workbench tops come in a variety of surfaces made out of a variety of materials. Different tops lend themselves to different types of work, but each should share a few similarities. Every workbench top should make doing the job easier, and should allow you to better focus on the task at hand. It should be long lasting, and easy to clean. And perhaps most of all, workbenches should be steady, sturdy, and safe.
Wood Workbench Tops
Steel Workbench Tops |  |
Laminate or Plastic Workbench Tops
Plastic laminate workbench tops can be an ideal surface if you're working with chemicals, or in a lab setting. The plastic material cleans up easily, and is also a nice top for many everyday workbenches. These are excellent for repair work. These are also known as being fairly sturdy, though they probably can't hold quite as much weight as a good piece of wood. Often, the plastic surface is encasing a particle-board core. There are also wood laminates, which use multiple layers of wood in order to make a single surface.
ESD Workbench Tops
When working with electric components, an important safety item could be an ESD workbench top. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) surfaces help dissipate electric static, rather than letting it build up. This helps reduce, if not eliminate, shocks to people, charged devices, and machines. This is often more of a specialty surface, as wood is a good nonconductor for most home-based projects.
