Why Epoxy Resins are So Expensive (& Why They’re Still Worth It)


Why is epoxy resin so expensive?

I have been thinking about working with Epoxy resin for creative projects but when I look at the cost of getting a kit, it seems to be inordinately expensive. Curious as to why they are so expensive, I decided to do a bit of research to find out if they are really worth the money.

Epoxy resins are more expensive to produce than other types of resins. This is because the raw materials required for manufacture cost a lot more than other low-end resins and the process of the production is complicated with a low tolerance for errors. In addition to this, most epoxy resins have to go through some level of regulation to ensure that they are FDA-compliant and food-safe and this also adds to the cost. Let’s look a bit deeper into why epoxy resins cost so much and ask ourselves the question is it actually worth the price that you pay for.

Why are Epoxy Resins So Expensive

At the time of writing this, a 3 Gallon deep pour epoxy resin pack costs $240. When making a river table,  or some other large Project, The cost will add up pretty quickly with you requiring to use at least two of these packs. 

This high cost will lead someone to enquire, why is epoxy so expensive and is it really worth it? Well, based on the research I did on the topic, I think the cost is totally justified considering the benefits you receive from using Epoxy resins compared to other resins.

The following are some of the factors that make epoxy resins so expensive

  1. Cost of Raw Materials: I did a bit of research on the cost of the raw materials that create Epoxy resin and found that a 250g bag of High-grade Bisphenol A  (one of the main components of epoxy resins) can cost as much as $252. Assuming that about 100 grams of this chemical to make a 3-gallon epoxy resin pack,  it’s not hard to understand why epoxy resin would cost so much. 
  2. Cost of Handling & Hazards: Looking at the Material Safety Data Sheet of  Bisphenol A and Epichlorohydrin (the two main components of Epoxy resins), You will notice that the chemicals require some level of protection against exposure to the skin and inhalation even as a finished product. This might indicate that the companies are spending quite a bit on protecting the staff that handles these chemicals daily from getting longterm exposure which may be harmful. It may be safe to assume that this would add to the cost of manufacturing epoxy resins and therefore result in a higher cost.
  3. Difficulty in manufacture:  Read on a forum online that manufacturing epoxy resin is a precision process that has low tolerances for error. Also, when comparing this to the ease in which polyester resins can be produced means that the cost and skill of manufacture of epoxy resin are higher compared to some of these other resins. This complexity will eventually be passed on by way of cost to the final consumer.
  4. Cost of Regulation:  since epoxy is used in many types of projects,  some of which will end up in contact with food,  it has to go through strict regulation to ensure that it is FDA compliant and safe for home use.   The cost of this extra regulation will definitely be passed on to the customer in the price of a product. 

Why Epoxy Resins are more expensive than Polyester resins

Polyester resins are cheaper than epoxy resins. I did a bit of research and found that polyester resins cost about half the price of epoxy resins.  

  1. Low Tolerance for error: One of the main reasons why this is the case is the fact that epoxy resins have a much lower tolerance for error than polyester resins and this complication in manufacturing adds to the final cost of the product.
  2. Cheap Raw Material: In addition to this,  the cost of the raw materials for epoxy resins is way higher than the cost of raw materials for polyester resins.  Since polyester resins are made from the same material that makes plastic,  it’s easy to see why polyester resins are much cheaper than epoxy resins.

One of the biggest Downsides of using polyester resins compared to epoxy resins is the fact that polyester resins have a very strong odor that lasts a long time during the curing process.  This means that even though epoxy resins are more expensive than polyester,  they will give you less stress when working with them since they do not have an odor.

Another downside I found was that sometimes polyester resin tends to crack up or shrink once it has cured.  

Are Epoxy Resins Worth the Money

Based on the research I have done, I still prefer epoxy resins to polyester resins due to the fact that they will stink less when curing and will be less likely to crack or shrink once they have cured. 

In addition to this, epoxy resins are less likely to have curing issues and are not bound to shrink or crack once they are cured.

With this in mind, I totally think that epoxy resins are worth the money.

Although epoxy resins cost more than polyester ones,  I think the quality of things I make and the fact that I have less stress when working more than covers for the difference in cost.

Are expensive epoxy resins better than cheaper ones?

Something else I wanted to find out was whether buying more expensive epoxy resin is actually better than the cheap brands that are available. 

 After a bit of research,  I found that more expensive resins like this liquid glass epoxy resin used for casting allows for much deeper pours without having issues with curing.  For example, this particular brand allows for pours that are as deep as four inches and may even support pours that are 5 inches.

Compare this with other cheaper brands that only support 2 inches maximum and the difference in cost is evident. 

Are expensive resins more food safe?

 My research around this area found that even cheaper epoxy resin brands are food-safe if they have been mixed and cured properly. 

I will warn that you need to read the labels carefully to make sure that the reason you’re working with his food safe and FDA approved before using it for anything that will come into contact with food. 

Antony Njoroge

I love working with my hands. From when I was a little boy, I loved taking stuff apart and trying to put them back together (Most of which were unsuccessful and would only get me in trouble). This passion for working with my hands gnaws at me constantly and I enjoy starting new hobbies and learning something new and challenging. I feel a deep sense of fulfillment when working on something creative and that is why I started this Blog. It is a way for me to experiment with several things that I have always admired (like woodworking, epoxy projects) and share my experiences and lessons along the way.

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