Tag Archive for: plastic lockers

School Lockers Ranked by Durability, Longevity, & More

When it’s time to replace the lockers in your school, you’ve got a lot of options to consider. You may be thinking of using the same type of lockers, but you should really know how they stand up to the other materials that are available. You’ll want to choose a material that will be durable, long-lasting, and low maintenance. There are a few options to think about before making the decision.

The Types of Lockers

Lockers can be made from a variety of materials, but they’re mostly found as metal, plastic, and even wood. However, there are different types of plastic that can be used for lockers. Each material has their distinct advantages, but some are better than others.

  • Steel lockers are the traditional go-to for schools. They’re easily painted, strong, and reliable. However, there are a few downfalls with this material because they can easily rust and get dented.
  • Wood has been a trusted material for building since the dawn of the human species. Wood looks great, feels good, and provides a secure compartment. Still, wood isn’t impervious to water and other factors.
  • Laminate lockers are highly durable. They feature a wooden interior with a plastic laminate exterior. Unfortunately, the laminate exterior can peel off, leaving the wood exposed.
  • Phenolic plastic is strong, reliable, and easily customizable to fit any design pattern or décor. Its interior features a kraft paper core.
  • High-density polyethylene is a solid plastic made from recycled material and provides a strong and solid structure.

How These Materials Rank

While all of the previously listed materials are great for lockers, there are a few factors that may sway your decision. Let’s see how these materials rank in a few important categories.

Durability

Lockers are meant to be durable, considering that they’re meant to hold and protect belongings. While most of these materials are durable, there are a few that don’t hold up to the rest. Most notably, wood lockers can lose their durability when they become waterlogged. Steel lockers can actually dent when slammed or pushed hard enough. Laminate, Phenolic, and HDPE plastic are the most durable lockers in this bunch.

Longevity

When you choose your lockers, you’ll definitely want to pick a long-lasting material. Out of all these choices, HDPE plastic offers the most longevity since it’s warranted for 25 years. Phenolic plastic can absorb moisture and sprout mold. Laminate can peel and its core can be chipped. Steel lockers can rust, requiring some considerable maintenance.

Cost-Effective Maintenance

Another major factor to consider is low-cost maintenance. Steel lockers tend to need fresh coats of paint throughout their lifespan. When the kraft paper core of Phenolic plastic absorbs moisture and grows mold, they usually need to be replaced. Laminate lockers can lose their protective coating, leaving their wooden interior exposed to the elements. HDPE plastic, on the other hand, can stand up to humidity and moisture, doesn’t require repainting, and its hinges remain intact over the years.

Now that you’re familiar with how these locker materials rank, you’ll know which ones would be right for your school. Want to learn more about how to go about choosing your school’s lockers? Check out this eBook, How to Choose Lockers for Your School, from your friends at Scranton Products.

 

Plastic Lockers FAQ

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At Scranton Products, we’re more than happy to help any interested party learn more about HDPE plastic lockers, and why they’re a smart choice and a suitable material for your school or facility. In order to help you learn as much as possible about these lockers, we’ve assembled this plastic lockers FAQ page. We encourage you to look below to the relevant question to see if the answer helps you.

Are HDPE Lockers Durable?

Yes! HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic lockers have been proven to be more durable than traditional metal lockers. Due to their solid plastic construction, HDPE lockers are more impact-resistant than standard lockers. They won’t even dent or scratch. They’re also resistant to humidity and moisture, making them a valuable storage compartment in locker rooms or other damp areas of your school or facility. They’ll resist mold growth, as well as rust, so you don’t have to worry about costly replacements or repairs.

Do HDPE Lockers Require a Lot of Maintenance?

Because of the durable construction, HDPE lockers require very little maintenance. They’re guaranteed to last up to 20 years without any problems. The only maintenance that they require is a simple cleaning now and again. Imagine how much time and money you’ll save on maintenance! They essentially pay for themselves after a few years.

Are These Lockers Difficult to Assemble?

Installing these lockers is quick and easy. By following the instructions, you’ll see a fast and efficient installation process. With a little help, you can install all your lockers in one day.

Are HDPE Plastic Lockers Secure?

HDPE lockers are customizable, offering you many different options as to what type of locking system works best for you. Duralife lockers come with either an inset combination lock or a hasp. Tufftec lockers provide numerous options like padlocks, keys, in-door combinations, and even an RFID digital lock.

How Big Are HDPE Lockers?

These lockers don’t have a set size. You can actually customize the size and tiers that you want, depending on the needs, as well as the space allotted in your school or facility.

Do HDPE Lockers Need to Be Painted?

HDPE lockers don’t require you to paint them. They’re available in multiple designs, as well as homogenous colors. Any signs of graffiti can simply be wiped away, without you having to paint your lockers. Not only will this save you the effort, but you won’t be risking your air quality with the VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions released by paint.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing HDPE Lockers?

There are numerous benefits to choosing HDPE lockers. They’re durable, low-maintenance, cost-effective, long-lasting, and sustainable. They’re also considered green building materials, so you can get started on making your school or facility more sustainable by utilizing HDPE plastic lockers. These eco-friendly lockers would make a great addition to your school or facility.

 

Want to learn even more about HDPE lockers and the many benefits? Check out our Duralife lockers.

Tracking The Trends – Charter Schools Take The Lead

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Parents in 2017 have several options available to them when it comes to the education of their children. Public schools, traditional and online; privately owned and funded academies; homeschooling; and finally charter and magnet schools, are the options of today. All of these schools are vying for parents’ attention and for available funding. Each have their pros and cons, and although public schools are still the most widely chosen of the options, charter and magnet schools are bright and eager up and comers in the education marketplace. Competition for the mix of public and private funds is stiff, and the pressure is on to perform.

The Pressure Is On For Charter & Magnet Schools To Get High Marks From Parents

Charter and magnet schools, though operated similarly to public schools, are relative newcomers as viable educational venues. They offer specialized curriculum and are often tasked to out-perform traditional public schools in several key areas, including concept and design. Drawing from a mix of public, secure funding as well as private funds, many charter schools now have more options. One of the areas that charter schools can shine is in school design.

You Only Get One Chance To Make That First Impression

As the old adage goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Many parents and visitors are touring your school more than ever, and the impression your school makes can impact your school’s opportunity to gain new students. One of the first areas they view is the hallway, and a bright, modern, clean and open area are all positive elements that help make that first impression a good one.

With their superior aesthetics, Duralife Lockers® are sure to make an impact in your hallways. The sleek, clean, modern design and bright color options such as yellow, red and royal blue instantly make a positive statement about your school, while design details such as flush venting and recessed handles, reinforce the clean, updated look.

Unlike metal lockers, Duralife Lockers® stay attractive throughout their lifetime. Made with solid-core HDPE, Duralife Lockers® are highly resistant to impacts, dents and scratches; graffiti wipes off easily; and the non-porous surface resists bacteria, mold and mildew. Another big plus is that HDPE lockers never need painting, making them the low maintenance, smart “green” choice.  As you can see, Duralife Lockers® impress on many levels, and are fast becoming the choice for the busy hallways of today’s well-designed schools.

View our case study that highlights the reasons why this charter school made the smart decision to install Duralife Lockers® in their school. If you need more information, please contact one of our sales specialists to learn more. https://www.scrantonproducts.com/contact/

Tag Archive for: plastic lockers