December 2025 welcomed us with low temperatures. For construction companies, this is often the off-season, but for DIY enthusiasts, it is the perfect time to lock yourself in a heated workshop. Instead of fighting the dampness on a construction site, use this time to create unique furniture or holiday decorations.
What projects are worth undertaking in winter, and what should you watch out for when working with chemicals at lower temperatures? We have some tips.
1. Project: Your Own Resin Top ("River Table")
Long winter evenings are conducive to projects that require patience. Creating a "river" table is the perfect task for December. The phrase resin top is breaking popularity records for a reason – it is a piece of furniture that makes a huge impression and can be a wonderful gift or part of a New Year's living room arrangement.
Why is winter a good time to pour tops?
- Low air humidity: In heated rooms, the air is usually drier, which favors resin curing without cloudy blooms.
- Time: The process of creating a top takes several days (and even weeks with finishing). In winter, we are less likely to rush.
For deep pours (over 1 cm), we recommend the Epidian 652 resin. It cures more slowly, so it does not overheat and allows air bubbles to escape freely.
2. Decorative and ornamental resin – an idea for gifts
Don't have room for a large table? Ornamental resin is an excellent material for small forms: mug coasters, jewelry, keychains, or unique Christmas tree decorations. It is a great way to use resin scraps from larger projects.
For such work, a transparent resin with high clarity will work best, e.g. Epidian Deco. You can color it with pearlescent pigments or embed dried winter flowers, pine cones, or coffee beans in it.
3. Winter traps – temperature matters!
Working with resin in December requires thermal discipline. You must know that low temperature is the enemy of epoxies.
What do you need to remember in winter?
- Minimum temperature: Try to maintain at least 20°C in the workshop. In the cold, resin becomes as thick as honey – it is difficult to mix and very hard to degas.
- Crystallization (Cloudiness): If you keep resin in an unheated garage or warehouse, it can "freeze" and look like a white, solid mass. Don't worry, it is not a defect! It is a crystallization process. Just heat the package in a warm water bath (approx. 40-50°C), and the resin will regain its fluidity and clarity.
- Curing time: Remember that at a lower temperature, the full curing time is significantly extended. If a top dries in 48h in summer, in winter in a cool workshop it can take twice as long.
Renovation instead of buying
Winter is also a great time for home repairs before the holidays. A cracked planter, a damaged garden sculpture, or the renovation of an old chair? This is where quick repair kits come to the rescue. Just remember good room ventilation!
Planning winter projects? Get your materials at Gaz-Bud:
