When looking for a standing desk online, you'll notice that each seller has their own carefully selected collection of desktops to complement their standing desk bases. However, unless you have previously worked as an office furniture salesperson, several of these words might be unfamiliar to you.
To the customer, the work surface is one of the most significant aspects of a standing desk. Buying the desk frame and desktop separately allows you to customize your standing desk's look and functionality fully.
LAMINATED
Although the word "lamination" sounds fancy, the concept is very basic. Lamination is producing material in several layers such that the final product is aesthetically pleasing and has the strength, toughness, and other properties that come from combining different materials.
Laminate is a synthetic substance that looks like wood but isn't. Laminate is a highly durable surface that resists most scratches and dents. It is also used for flooring and even kitchen counters. In terms of price, laminate is generally comparable to bamboo. It is not as soft to the touch as other alternatives because it is not a natural material.
MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD
Fiberboard is a type of man-made wood made from wood fibers. To give the appearance of hardwood, the fiberboard is covered with a veneer. Although it is a low-cost alternative, it will not be the most durable or high-quality surface.
Fiberwood comes in three densities:
- low-density fiberboard
- medium-density fiberboard
- hardboard
The most commonly used desktops for standing desks are medium-density fiberboards or MDF. MDF is created by recycling scrap wood, grinding it down to uniform particles, adding resin and other chemicals to bind everything together, and pressing it under high temperature and pressure into a solid and uniform piece of wood. Depending on the grade, there is inexpensive MDF and expensive MDF. As a general rule, the heavier the board, the more wood fiber it contains.
MDF does not contract and expand with temperature in the same way that natural wood does. MDF is so stable that it can be painted, though not stained like natural wood. That brings us to its one major flaw: it is highly prone to moisture damage if not hermetically sealed.
Laminated MDF desktops are not all made to the same quality level, and only the finest are hermetically sealed. They are the ones who have the five-year warranties. Because desktop computers are so easily damaged, most come with no warranty at all.
FlexiSpot has the Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk (Eco & Pro) is an environmentally-friendly and high-quality desktop that comes in multiple colors of durable chipboard and MDF. The MDF variant offers white, oak, brown wood grain, and black. There are no knots or bumps to disrupt the smooth surface. Its curved desktops replace sharp corners with contoured edges, making your wrists comfier while working long hours. Engineered with a smooth and round edge, curved edges replace traditional sharp corners to reduce the risk of bumps or bruises.
FlexiSpot's ecologically responsible medium-density fiberboard meets CARB and EPA standards. Furthermore, it has dual cable management holes to help you keep your workstation organized, clean, and tidy.
SOLID WOOD
Solid hardwood has long been regarded as one of the most sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing options for office furniture. It is difficult to match the tensile strength of solid wood. You can expect a hardwood desktop to last for many years. If a scratch or blemish needs to repair, wood is also simple to refinish and re-stain. Wood necessitates a larger initial outlay. Furniture made of wood is also among the heaviest.
There is simply no substitute for real wood for the discriminating buyer. If they are used to sitting at a real wood desk, they are more likely to look for real wood when purchasing a standing desk. So, in recent years, we've seen an increase in the number of real wood options offered by standing desk manufacturers, and their popularity has skyrocketed.
They may not be as durable, depending on how much lacquer or other sealants are used to protect the top, but you can always refinish them if they become too battered. Most people who want real wood tops simply accept that their desks will "retain character" as they get a little dinged up over time. In general, refinishing is a time-consuming and expensive process. Craftsmanship and manufacturing quality can shine, and as a general rule, the higher the cost, the better and longer it is likely to last.
The Willow Solid Wood Standing Desk (Eco & Pro), introduced by FlexiSpot, is a height-adjustable desk that features an environmentally-friendly solid wood desktop and offers a sleek, classic look that's sure to fit into any decor.
FlexiSpot expands its line of sustainable desktops with the addition of a rubberwood desktop. This desk is from rubber trees that were harvested responsibly and have reached the end of their production cycle. The solid design is built to last and is free of harmful chemicals and harder than wood. This desktop will serve you better because of its design and assist you in adopting a greener mindset. Among all solid wood, this is the most cost-effective option.
The texture and effect of this top are very similar to that of a traditional solid wood top, but it is less expensive. The inter-layer pines make the top stable and long-lasting. With a long service life, it is much easier to maintain and care for. Their professional-looking desktop is available in black walnut, red oak, and cherry wood.
BAMBOO
Bamboo is almost anywhere these days since it is a low-cost, long-lasting, and visually appealing surface. Although bamboo is grass, not wood, bamboo desktops have a pretty natural grain that makes them appear to be light hardwood such as white oak or maple. Bamboo desktops are very smooth, but they are softer, making them more prone to dents and scratches.
Resistance to swelling may not come to mind, but consider when you will be using your standing desk. If you plan on bringing the bamboo standing desk outside in the summer or plan on traveling with it and using the desk outside, you must be prepared for the environment to change. Bamboo is not affected by humidity, dry air, or temperature changes. With bamboo standing desks, you won't have to worry about upkeep. Because bamboo is less susceptible to water damage, the wood will not rot. It's also termite resistant, and cleaning it is as simple as wiping it down with a damp cloth.
Kana Bamboo Standing Desk (Eco & Pro) from FlexiSpot is made from renewable bamboo and eco-friendly lacquer coating that complies with the stringent E0 standards to provide you with an earth-friendly option. Every desk is from mature bamboo, which has twice the durability and elasticity of regular wood. Carbonized technology reinforces the tabletop's durability by coating it with a water-resistant 2H lacquer, making it moisture-proof, insect-resistant, and scratch-proof.
After looking around for desktop surfaces, you may decide that purchasing your desktop from the same manufacturer as your desk frame is the simplest option. The advantage of doing so is that you can expect your desktop to be of the same quality and durability as your desk frame — and that they will fit together seamlessly.
