When planning out any construction project, you should consider every detail correctly — right down to the lockers your customers, school students, or staff will use to keep their belongings safe. This article will guide you over three of the most common locker materials and their best-suited purposes.
Among the most important factors to contemplate is determining what material will work the best for the lockers in a specified space. Factors, such as the environment where your lockers will be installed, play a huge role in this. It’s crucial to understand if your future lockers are subjected to moisture or require frequent cleaning, or they’ll have to withstand heavy use. What about school hallways?
When selecting which lockers best suit the installation area, you should choose durable and long-lasting materials that will hold up against the daily wear and tear of the facility’s environment. This article will further explain the advantages and disadvantages of the three locker material choices available to you. To help you decide what locker material works best for areas such as the gym, the pool, schools or other places, here are the three major options available for locker construction-
Timber Laminate Lockers
Timber lockers are great for particular uses. Wood offers a welcoming feel, adding a tincture of warmth to any environment. Affable and comfortable, timber lockers are perfect for places where these feelings are encouraged. They can be customised in a variety of finishes and styles, which makes timber lockers quite versatile. They are not immune to moisture, however, or last as long as the other materials. If moisture and overuse aren’t significant factors— like in classrooms, offices, or even homes — they have their strengths!
Advantages
Timber Laminate Lockers provide several benefits. From the surface, it is effortless to maintain. As you know, porous surfaces of woods are easily susceptible to bacteria growth and stains, especially in moist settings like fitness centres and swimming pools. But because laminate is a solid surface, the build-up of water or liquid does not easily happen. Thus, Timber laminate lockers are advocated for use in environments, such as swimming pools, where moisture accumulation may otherwise cause metal lockers to rust over time.
Moreover, cleaning Timber laminate lockers is easy. You can simply pick a trusted surface cleaner, spray, and wipe it down. Lamination also can look upscale without a break in the budget for a remodel, either. Purchasing lockers made from other surface materials can comparatively be pricier. With laminate, you can get the same expensive look like other materials, but for a fraction of the cost.
In like manner, Timber laminate lockers, although inexpensive, are incredibly durable. They can weather the elements of their environment and are resistant to moisture, shock, impact and pressure. Because of this, many schools have started using timber laminate lockers to hold student’s materials. Furthermore, laminated timber lockers low-maintenance also contributes to the odourless attribute. The laminate does not hold onto odours and maintains a pleasant atmosphere for business and school environments.
However, one of the biggest advantages of Timber laminate lockers is their eco-friendliness. The material does not involve the use of harmful paints or coatings during its production process. If the environment’s well-being is concerned, it is best to go green using eco-friendly, custom timber laminate lockers. To boot, it is easily customisable and well-suited to be used in any room or environment. With other material options, you usually have to take what you get as far as looks are concerned. But with timber laminate lockers, you can either go for a standard surface look or something a little more unique to the environment’s style. With lamination, the choices for customisation are simply endless.
Disadvantages
Often, timber laminate lockers are used in several higher-end settings. While they share many of the same durability issues as painted metal, they cannot perform as well since wood is typically more susceptible to damage from direct and continuous impact than metal. Laminated Timber Lockers may also experience delamination if water or other liquids manage to seep between the layers. This is a significant disadvantage to consider. Unfortunately, the laminate exterior can peel off, leaving the wood exposed. And the biggest issue with wood as a locker material is the fact that it is porous, meaning it will likely absorb odours. If left unchecked and neglected, the odours accumulated through cracked and peeled lamination can compound and create an unpleasant situation not only within a locker but within the room or corridor they are located at. Timber is organic, and the wood porosity also speaks of its ability to contribute as a food source for mould growth. This type of lockers may also require regular maintenance over time for various reasons related to use, fading, and wear and tear.
Lynx Metal Lockers
Viewed as a standard product in the industry, Lynx metal lockers are frequently found in school hallways and gym locker rooms because of their low cost. They are often cheaper than other locker material options, making them ideal for any situation in which a large amount of locker installation is needed. As a matter of fact, when you hear the word “locker,” the first thing you might think of is often the metal lockers that line the hallways in middle and high schools.
Since metal lockers cost the least initially, they generally are the go-to option for schools or other large commercial business areas on a budget. Habitually, if every student in the school needs a locker, the costs can add up quickly, so a school board generally opts for the traditional and most affordable metal locker option.
The use of lynx metal lockers also helps bring about discipline and organisation to the surroundings. When it comes to preserving essential things, lockers made with the best-quality metal are often considered the best.
Advantages
The robustness and strength, and relative affordability of Lynx Metal Lockers are something that other types of materials might not be able to compete with. Lynx metal lockers are built in such a quality that they are also resistant to most chemicals, bacteria, and other harmful materials.
They are also durable, making them an optimal choice for installing in places like schools or bus stations, where they will be used repeatedly by different people. Likewise, metal lockers can offer businesses like the gym a great option if making a substantial investment for lockers is not a high priority compared to other choices. They stand up to moderate or heavy use as well.
Additionally, Lynx metal lockers are available at very reasonable prices. They can be designed for multi-purpose spaces and are suited to many different environments besides schools without the incurring of the additional cost. Due to the use of durable materials for the production of lynx metal lockers, they don’t require round-the-year maintenance and extensive repairs either. As it happens, the installation of metal locker storage systems can be a one-time investment that renders utility for years to come as metal is not an exorbitant material.
Disadvantages
While lockers made out of painted metal have been a common and long-standing choice among many schools, they are typically viewed first and foremost as a low-cost option by many. However, the cost-benefit for metal lockers is often limited to the initial purchase cost only. Over time, metal lockers have shown a requirement of significant maintenance and attention, which can translate to more costs for several reasons over the years.
On top of that, metal can certainly bend and is susceptible to dents and other damages. When the paint is compromised, the metal is left unprotected, which can lead to further damage in the form of corrosion or rust. Damages such as these on the outside of the locker can create issues of both security and appearance.
In addition to the durability limitations, metal lockers also present issues with keeping them clean and attractive. Painted metal has meagre resistance to graffiti, scuffs and stains, especially in highly-commercial or crowded areas like schools. Removal of these types of blemishing is typically not an easy task, and the cleaning of it may require the use of solvents that can damage the painted surfaces. In some instances, removal may not even be a possibility, and the only option would be to repaint.
Durable Plastic Lockers
Over time, plastic lockers have steadily evolved as “more conventional” metal lockers. As far as outdoor exposure and outdoor storage units are concerned, plastic lockers are simply the best. Durable plastic lockers are generally used in environments unfavourable to traditional metal lockers and timber lockers. Overall, storage lockers made of plastic are useful in soggy environments, such as the area near swimming pools, spas, hospitals, fisheries, airports, water theme parks, food processing factories, oil fields and more.
Advantages
Durable Plastic Lockers do not have deteriorating effects of warping and rusting, making them effective for use as outdoor storage units. For the most part, they are corrosion-proof, dent-resistant, secure, and waterproof. In a general sense, plastic lockers are inherently moisture impermeable and non-porous. Therefore, lockers made with this material will never rust, corrode, or delaminate, unlike metal and wood. For this reason, they require little maintenance and also offer a low cost of ownership.
Plastic presents a temperament of absorbing and dispersing any impact, meaning that dents are not likely for plastic lockers, and they are more resistant to abuse. Correspondingly, plastic lockers are manufactured with solid colouring throughout, making scratches difficult to see. This helps to retain their appearance under normal wear and tear conditions.
From a general maintenance standpoint as well, the qualities that make plastic lockers impermeable and nonporous also make them resistant to dirt, marker, paint and other items; these blemishes to the lockers can be easily wiped off. They also require little maintenance, even with regular use.
While they may be a larger initial investment, they will generally not require much maintenance in the years to come, retaining their structural integrity and appearance for a long time.
Disadvantages
Besides being relatively easy to clean and maintain, they cost more than other options. Likewise, their appearance, while not underwhelming, is not necessarily high-end either. Compared with the customised overall timber lockers and even metal lockers, plastic lockers can not often completely meet the various individual requirements of furniture for different customers. Not to forget, plastic lockers are also not environment-friendly in the long run.
How These Materials Rank
While the listed materials are all great, a few factors can be compared between them to make a more reliable decision when it comes to installing lockers. Let’s see how these materials rank in a few important categories-
Durability
Lockers are meant to be durable, considering they are built to hold and protect belongings. While all of the listed materials are durable in their own ideal settings, not all of them hold up to each other when compared. Most notably, wood lockers can lose their durability when they become waterlogged. Metal lockers can dent when slammed or pushed hard enough. Plastic lockers, comparatively, are the most durable lockers in this bunch, making sense as plastic lockers are ideal for outdoor use.
Longevity
When choosing lockers, you want to pick a long-lasting material. Out of all these choices, plastic offers the most longevity when considering maintenance. Laminate can peel, and the core wood beneath it can be chipped. Metal lockers can rust over time, requiring some considerable maintenance.
Cost-Effective Maintenance
Another major factor to consider is low-cost maintenance. This factor depends on the environment the lockers are placed in and their daily use. For outdoor venues where the natural elements are the harshest, plastic lockers are the best to use. For minimal office and home spaces, laminate timber lockers are a great choice. For commercial areas like schools and the gym, metal lockers are a good option. Nevertheless, each locker material is susceptible to natural elements, like mould, water or fire, and physical disfiguration.
Aesthetics
Timber laminate lockers provide the most aesthetically pleasing look among the three. Metal lockers can offer a cold and isolated essence, whereas plastic lockers aren’t exactly the quintessence of class and elegance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best Locker for Gyms?
Lockers play an essential role in gyms as they protect the valuables of your patrons. Cubispec offers a wide range of lockers that provide maximum security and practicality.
When choosing the best locker for gyms, think about the locker’s primary use and space where it will be installed. For example, certain areas may require specific design. In that case, you may want to opt for customisable lockers. Additionally, you should also consider the locker’s use and the amount of traffic you expect in your gym. Heavy-duty lockers are commonly made up of metal or durable plastic.
If you run a premium facility and your patrons prefer an elegant environment, consider laminated timber lockers. With these lockers, you have infinite customisation options and an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Which Locker is best for Change Rooms?
Changing rooms may be one of the areas where you give lesser attention if it’s about aesthetics, but you shouldn’t overlook the need for installing ideal lockers there.
To install an ideal locker in your change room, start with considering what type of locker best fits your requirements. In a general workplace changing room, it is quite common to find metal or timber laminate lockers. They are durable and robust storage solutions that can withstand daily use. The big selling point of most metal and timber laminate lockers is how they are cleverly manufactured with anti-bacterial technology. With regular upkeep, timber laminate lockers and metal lockers are effective against E-Coli and bacteria, making them ideal for high use areas.
If pleasing looks is one of your top priorities, timber laminate lockers seem more suitable. Timber laminate lockers are the ideal choice for places that attract tranquillity, such as spas. In like manner, metal lockers are more suited for spaces that usually attract commotion or busyness, such as busy gyms.
Plastic lockers can be the best choice in the change rooms where they have to deal with elements such as moisture or where there may be little or no shelter from natural elements. Due to the water-resistant properties, plastic lockers make an excellent alternative to metal and timber lockers in humid change rooms.
Which Lockers are best for End of Trip facilities?
Much like in changing rooms and gyms, the ideal locker at the End of Trip facility depends on the crowd volume and the daily use and space where they are installed. For a beautiful calming effect in a quiet art-conscious room, timber laminate lockers would be the best. For a large area that requires the installation of many lockers, consider using metal lockers, whereas plastic lockers are your go-to for an outdoor end of trip space.
What about Locks for Lockers?
Locker locks need to be portable, reliable and sturdy to withstand constant use. We recommend installing Locker Combination Padlocks for lockers at all settings, simply because this saves the need to carry around keys. All combination padlocks at Cubispec are re-codable, meaning you can choose your memorable digits to ensure you always have easy access to your belongings.
Conclusion
Even though there are many material options to choose from for lockers, it is essential to understand your facility and business to determine what locker suits your needs the best. Every aspect of a good locker room deserves the same attention to detail. Choosing the right materials for lockers is no different.
If you want a locker room to look at its best at affordable prices, contact us today to learn more about how Cubispec can get the job done right.
