Our stunning resin river tables are tables made from unique pieces of Walnut or Rosewood with a stunning river of epoxy resin flowing through them.
Their jaw-dropping looks make them a wonderful centrepiece for your kitchen or dining room, but how are they made?
Let’s take a closer look…
What Is a Resin River Table?
If you’ve been following interior design trends in the last year or so, you've probably seen a resin river table.
A resin river table is a piece of furniture with a wooden top with a "river" made out of resin running through it.
The river flows between two pieces of wood called slabs to create a statement piece that brings both form and function to your home.
How Are Resin River Tables Made?
Here’s the process we follow to create our unique resin river tables.
Step 1: Selecting & Trimming The Wood
The first step is to choose the right piece of wood.
Our tables are made from Rosewood or Walnut, and we take our time to choose wood with the right grain pattern, paying special attention to the knots and blemishes in the wood, and carefully considering how these will look in the finished design.
We also consider the size of the finished table, making sure that the wood we use will leave as little waste as possible, meaning we get the most out of every unique piece.
Step 2: Setting The Mould
Once we’ve selected the wooden slabs for a table, we do any preliminary trimming and add them to the mould.
We check the position of the slabs to make sure they’ll work together as a finished table and won’t move any further in the process until we’re happy that the table is going to look the best it can.
With most of our designs, two slabs of wood are positioned with a gap running through the middle to allow a central river of resin, but some of our designs have a resin edge or multiple areas of resin.
Our craftsmen are experts in selecting slabs that will work best with each design, so we’ll take our time to make sure each table looks the best it can.
Step 3: Mixing & Pouring the Epoxy Resin
Once the slabs are set in the mould it’s time to mix the resin.
First, we calculate how much resin will be needed for the table being made, and we measure out the correct amount of hardener so that’s ready to go.
If the table features a coloured river we add some pigment until we reach the desired colour, and then mix everything together until it’s ready to pour.
We then pour the mixture into the mould, being careful to avoid creating too many air bubbles and making sure the entire mould is full.
We’ll then go over the table removing any air bubbles that have been created, before covering the table and leaving the resin to cure.
Step 4: Removing The Casting From The Mold
Once the resin has cured, we can remove the casting from the mould, which is usually at least 24 hours after the table was poured.
We remove all of the bolts and clamps holding the mould together and begin to pry apart the edges of the mould to remove the table in one piece.
Step 5: Sanding, Polishing, and Finishing
Once the table has been removed from the mould it’s our first chance to see how the finished design is going to look!
Now it's time to make the finished river table look as smooth as glass.
The sanding and polishing process is simple, but the secret is going slowly and patiently. Gradually increase the grit of the abrasive paper until we reach the desired finish.
We oil the entire tabletop to create an easily maintained surface that will still show off the grains in the wood and then, once the tabletop looks perfect, we attach the legs to get a feel for the table in its final form.
When everyone is happy with the finished table, we removed the legs and package everything up ready for it to be sent to a new home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions and answers to help you get a better idea of the process of making resin river tables.
What Resin Is Used For The River Table?
Epoxy resin is the best choice for river tables because it doesn't yellow over time, meaning you avoid the need for UV inhibitors that can make projects cloudy. It's also heat-resistant, making it a better option than polyester resin if you plan to place hot mugs down on your tabletop.
What Is The Average Time To Make A Resin River Table?
The time it takes to complete a resin river table depends on how long the wood has been dried, how the wood is prepared, how much epoxy the design needs, and how fast the epoxy dries. Depending on these factors, it can take our expert craftsmen anywhere from 1 to 3 days.
How Much Resin Is Use To Create A River Table?
The amount of resin needed for a resin river table varies depending on the size and depth of the tabletop required, but our products can take anything up to 5 or 6 gallons of resin to create.