When the Yeshiva School for Boys in Pittsburgh acquired a former Catholic high school building to repurpose it for their students, they faced a significant challenge—remodeling restrooms that were originally designed for the convent’s female students. The transformation required an extensive overhaul of the facilities to accommodate high school boys, which meant increasing the number of fixtures, improving privacy, and making it durable enough to withstand daily use.

The original restrooms were not suited for the needs of an all-boys boarding school. The layout included six toilets, three bathtubs, and two showers, which weren’t sufficient to meet the needs of the student population. The renovation expanded the facilities to include nine showers, five toilets, and six urinals.

Maximizing Value, Minimizing Maintenance

“Given the nature of high school students, we needed restroom stalls that prioritized privacy, durability, and ease of maintenance while also being simple to clean and fully compliant with local building codes, including fire resistance and other safety regulations,” said Craig Elias, Project Manager at the Yeshiva School for Boys.

Scranton Products® Hiny Hiders® were selected for several reasons. The most important was the level of privacy they offered. The design team stacked panels to ensure that the partitions were installed at a height that prevented visibility between stalls, while still maintaining an open feeling as well as ventilation. The finished installation appeared seamless, without looking like it had been pieced together. They chose a neutral shade with a subtle speckled design to create a clean appearance and minimize the visibility of smudges and stains.

Durability was another key factor, as high school students are traditionally rough on fixtures. The school needed partitions that could resist impact, tampering, and general rough use. Hiny Hiders, made from solid high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are resistant to moisture, scratches, and graffiti. Because Hiny Hiders partitions are non-porous, they do not absorb bacteria or moisture, making them easy to clean and sanitize. This contributes to a cleaner restroom, which is essential for student health and well-being. Their durability ensures that the partitions will remain in excellent condition for years, reducing the need for repairs.

“My goal is to have the lowest possible maintenance cost going forward,” said Elias. “My idea is you pay for something once, and it should last. If I was going to try to save a few dollars by buying a lower quality product, I would end up spending multiple times that over the long term. This product met all our needs in terms of reliability and durability, considering how they’re going to be used.”

Construction Challenges

The school was working within a tight deadline to ensure the restrooms were ready before the start of the academic year. Any delays in receiving the partitions could have jeopardized the school’s ability to open on schedule, as the restrooms were a critical component of obtaining necessary operating permits. Scranton Products delivered the partitions on time as promised, allowing the project to stay on track.

Precision was also a factor, as there were extremely tight spatial constraints. Because so many additional features were added, the available space for the toilets was measured down to the fraction of an inch, leaving just a quarter-inch to spare. This meant that every panel had to be carefully selected and positioned to ensure a perfect fit without compromising functionality. Additionally, to maintain a high level of privacy, they needed partitions that could extend high enough to provide full coverage, which led to the choice to stack the panels.

Results and Feedback

The final results exceeded expectations, according to school officials. The increased restroom capacity and enhanced privacy creates a more comfortable and functional space for students. The combination of privacy, durability, and easy upkeep made these partitions an ideal choice for a high-traffic school environment. Since installation, the school has received positive feedback.

“The school principal, the supervisors of the kids and the maintenance staff have all been very pleased,” said Elias. “The stalls have withstood the daily wear of high school boys, without any damage or need for repairs.”

To learn more about Scranton Products Hiny Hiders, please visit www.scrantonproducts.com or call 800-445-5148. 

About Scranton Products: 

With more than 30 years of experience, Scranton Products is the industry leader in plastic bathroom partitions and lockers. Endless design options and an array of designer colors and textures provide confidence and elegant style in every project, creating a lasting impression. Proudly made in the USA and constructed from premium-grade solid plastic, our products’ unmatched durability withstands impact, corrosion, graffiti and mildew. Backed by sustainable technologies and industry-leading warranties, with our partitions and lockers you are investing in peace of mind.