How to Remodel a Commercial Bathroom
Remodeling a commercial bathroom is a big job that’s best left to a professional contractor. After all, the new design and materials chosen will significantly impact the efficiency, security, and privacy of the restroom.
A facility that’s been carefully designed not only improves the experience of those using it but also those who operate the facility. Not to mention that a properly remodeled bathroom can help keep initial and reoccurring costs down.
When considering a commercial bathroom remodel, here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Design Your Facility’s Bathroom’s Entrance and Exit Flow
If part of your commercial bathroom remodeling projects includes the entrance, now is a good time to consider how the entrance is affecting traffic flow and queuing.
For example, a bathroom that can be locked from the inside may cause unnecessary queuing.
Here’s how: A locked bathroom may have one person in the stall and two waiting by the door. Meanwhile, an unlocked facility could have one person in the bathroom stall, one washing their hands, and one drying their hands. In the second scenario, queuing is at a minimum and the facility is operating at optimal efficiency.
Many commercial bathrooms implement a labyrinth-style entrance, which gets rid of the door altogether. This style of entrance is preferred for several reasons:
- Limits the spread of germs by reducing the number of surfaces patrons come in contact with.
- Reduces misuse since the sound of criminal activity is more likely to be detected and there’s no door to serve as a warning that security personnel are entering.
- Improves traffic flow, assuming that the width of the walkway is wide enough to allow two lanes of traffic.
- Allows management to intervene if occupant fails to respond after an excessive period of usage, something that is more difficult when dealing with a bathroom that’s locked from the inside by the occupant.
For maximum efficiency, you may consider using a separate entrance and exit. This allows traffic to flow in and out without patrons having to squeeze by or accidently bump into one another.
2. Coordinate Bathroom Fixtures
The selection and placement of the many fixtures is an important part of your commercial bathroom remodeling project.
Mirrors, for example, will need to be placed strategically to provide maximum privacy and security. A properly placed mirror can give occupants a direct sight line to the back of the restroom. A mirror that’s place thoughtlessly, on the other hand, could accidently give a clear view from outside the bathroom to an area that was intended to be private, like the urinals in a men’s restroom.
While placement is certainly worth considering, material is also an important factor when selecting the right fixtures for your bathroom. A well-made bathroom vanity that’s resistant to damage could help to lower your operational costs and protect your remodeling investment.
HDPE material is a high-grade plastic that’s resistant to scratches, dents, corrosion, mildew, and graffiti. This durable material is easy to clean and can be used for vanities and bathroom partitions.
Plus, HDPE can be designed in a wide variety of colors and textures to best match the décor of your facility.
Contact Scranton Products to learn more HDPE and their collection of cost-effective commercial bathroom fixtures.
