A handy guide to lockers for schools

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Your school’s lockers can say a lot about the type of school you are running. It is good to carefully consider what kind of lockers you are going to install at your school and what you should be looking for when buying them. Here is a helpful guide.

Materials

While metal is the most commonly used material for school lockers you can find plastic and wood options on the market as well. Each material has its advantages so, when making a long-term investment, you should research which one will best fit your needs.

Metal

There is a reason why metal lockers for schools are one of the most popular options. They are strong, durable and versatile, which makes them well suited to almost any setting. You can choose from standard duty, heavy duty or welded construction, depending on how much use or abuse the lockers may have to endure.

When buying a locker for school you should also consider ventilation. If you expect used gym clothes to be stored there for any part of the day this is a must. Metal lockers come with different types of ventilation that you can choose from. You can also choose to have the ventilated perforations on the door, on the side panel or on both. This will depend on the level of ventilation you feel the lockers will need.

Plastic

Plastic lockers have antimicrobial properties which makes them popular for wet and humid places like locker rooms. They are made from an industrial grade plastic known as high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE) or phenolic. Their structure offers extreme resistance to mould, mildew and bacteria. In this respect they can be a great addition to your school’s locker rooms.

Plastic lockers have the added benefit of being very hard to damage and scratch – even more than metal lockers. They are also easy to maintain and clean since they can tolerate a wide variety of chemical solvents. This will allow you to easily get rid of graffiti, scuff marks and other stains.

Wood

Wood lockers come in three types: laminate wood, wood veneer and solid hardwood. Wood lockers are generally used for more high-end settings and may be outside of the school budget as most options can be pricey.

Locker handles and locking options

In addition to durability and sturdiness you should consider handles and locks for your lockers for safety. Are the students bringing laptops, tablets or leaving their phones in their lockers? Then you may want to go the extra mile with security on your lockers. Be careful of the handles and locking system that you choose as not all handles go with every lock mechanism. You can also choose to have a lock built into the locker when they are made. Other options can include padlocks.

Padlocks can be operated by key or with a code combination. If the latter then the students can change the combination to something only they know, for added security.

Size and a sloped top panel

Consider what will be stored in the lockers. Will they be used for books, extra clothes, laptops or anything else? Asking yourself this question can help give you an idea of the size of lockers your students will need. If possible, choose roomier versions so students have a bit of flexibility.

You should also consider if you want your lockers to have a sloped top panel. A sloping panel can make the tops of your locker easier to clean for the maintenance staff. But they can also restrict the space inside.

Note: When choosing your lockers, you should research the different providers and their prices so you can get the best quality lockers that fit within the budget you have allocated for them.

 

 

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