Why Work With An Industry Leader?

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Industry leaders offer a unique value to their clients.

It starts with a razor-sharp focus on their clients’ most important issues. Industry leaders dig deep into these issues and come up with innovative ways to solve them. They also know that innovation is more than coming up with great ideas. Industry leaders know how to innovate. They excel in operational execution and have the methodologies and processes in place to deliver value consistently to their customers.

As North America’s leading manufacturer of HDPE bathroom partitions and lockers, Scranton Products is a proven industry leader, focused on responsive innovation, and offering our customers quality products that are built and tested to the highest standards.

What drives innovation at Scranton Products? It is understanding the needs of our customers – the need for high-value

As a market leader, our products are built to stand up to the harshest environments and are backed by Scranton Products’ industry-leading warranties, so you can rest easy that your investment is protected for years to come.

As a market leader, we are committed to sustainability. All of our products are made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. They are also free of VOC emissions and are GREENGUARD Gold Certified. In addition, throughout our manufacturing process, we’re conscious of our impact on the environment and practice factory-responsible recycling.

As a market leader, we are a true partner to our clients, offering responsive innovation, cutting edge solutions, unsurpassed product quality, excellent customer support, and one of the largest distribution networks in the industry.

To learn more about Scranton Products and the unique value we offer our clients, please visit: https://www.scrantonproducts.com/products/

 

Pathway To Privacy – A Brief History Of Bathroom Partitions

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Most of us take bathroom convenience and privacy for granted but people haven’t always had the level of bathroom luxury that we enjoy today. In ancient Roman and Asian societies, for example, bathing and toilet facilities were shared. For the poor and middle classes, these facilities left much to be desired. The wealthy enjoyed cleaner and more pleasant facilities but the bathroom experience was still communal. When the Roman Empire fell, the bathroom experience only got worse. Eventually, public facilities had to be closed down somewhere in the 16th century, blamed for widespread sickness.

It wasn’t until the end of the 16th century that the first flushing toilet was invented in England. It was installed in a separate room in the castle to allow the Queen of England privacy but, unfortunately, the toilet didn’t flush well and wasn’t a big hit with the queen.

During the Industrial Revolution, toilet enclosures were built for use on city streets to accommodate workforce needs in the big cities. Some public toilets went underground during the Victorian era as less space became available at street level. These facilities were held to a high standard by the local health boards and provided a higher level of privacy.

The bathroom evolved further during the Industrial Revolution and early 20th century. As more and more women shopped and worked out of the home, private retiring rooms with partitions were developed to accommodate their needs and afford additional privacy.

In 1904, Frank Lloyd Wright, the great American architect, and innovator came up with an innovative way to make it easier to keep toilet enclosures clean. While working on the design of the Larkin Building in Buffalo, NY, he designed the first ceiling hung toilet partitions as well as suspended toilet bowls and sinks.

Partitions Allow For Greater Privacy

It certainly has taken a while to evolve the concept of the modern restroom that allows for individual privacy and provides a pleasant and sanitary space. In the last century, toilet partitions have played an important role in ensuring bathroom privacy. Over time they too have evolved, starting with the first, basic partitions made of wood or powder-coated steel, to a range of partitions developed over the last 40 years, such as baked enamel, laminate, phenolic, and stainless steel. Unfortunately, these materials don’t stand up to the wear and tear of today’s public bathroom and present many disadvantages:

  • They are prone to scratches and dents
  • Graffiti is not easily removed
  • They are susceptible to moisture and humidity
  • The core materials can be a breeding place for mold and bacteria
  • Maintenance issues outweigh any initial cost benefits

A more innovative approach to partitions has solved these problems while creating modern partitions that are extremely durable, aesthetically pleasing and sustainable.

Partitions for the 21st Century

Made from HDPE Plastic, Scranton Products restroom partitions offer a unique combination of sophisticated aesthetics, innovative design, superior privacy, and outstanding durability. A solid-core and non-porous surface make HDPE partitions highly resistant to moisture and humidity, therefore, these partitions never rust, corrode or need painting. They are resistant to mold and bacteria, resist dents and scratches, and graffiti easily wipes off.

Public restrooms have come a long way since the “communal experience.” Today, we expect public restrooms to provide a high degree of privacy, cleanliness, as well as high design. With its Aria Partitions®, Eclipse Partitions® and Hiny Hiders Partitions® product lines, Scranton Products offers a range of options that include sleek, modern design and the higher in privacy, making them the best choice for today’s public bathroom environments.

To learn more about Scranton Products bathroom partitions options, contact our sales specialists today. You can also download one of our product brochures for more detailed information.

Product Transparency

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According to the U.S., Environmental Protection Agency, over ninety-percent of our time is spent indoors. Now more than ever, people want to know that they are living and working in a healthy environment. They demand to know the products surrounding them are safe, how they were made, and from what type of materials.

The New Normal

While we have not always taken additional steps to ensure our well being through awareness, it is fast becoming the norm. Environmental safety (both indoors and out) is topping the list as a priority.

Over the years, building product transparency has changed from a mere movement to a necessity within the construction industry. And as the demand for clean and healthier living grows, so does the need for greater transparency in building products and materials.

The benefits are clearly four-fold. Building owners are looking for ways to make buildings healthier for occupants. Architects are now identifying building products that are healthy, sustainable and environmentally friendly, enabling them to make informed decisions when specifying products and materials. Manufacturers can effectively market their products, and owners and occupants are gaining insight into how healthy and environmentally friendly their buildings – and the materials within them – are.

A Leader in Product Transparency

With a 30-year history in sustainable product development and production, Scranton Products has long led the way in meeting the demand for product transparency.

All of our products – including each of our locker lines, bathroom partitions, vanities and other HDPE products – are manufactured in the USA from American-made solid HDPE (high-density polyethylene), using recycled materials containing both pre- and post-consumer content. Free of VOC emissions, all of our products are eligible for LEED credits, and are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meeting strict certification requirements for use in schools and healthcare facilities. In addition, all of our products are 100% recyclable and are available in 100% post-consumer material.

At Scranton Products, we have always been committed to supporting a healthier environment. If you would like to find out more about our low emitting products that meet both GREENGUARD emissions standards as well as LEED requirements for air quality and sustainability, please click on the link below.

How to Tell When It’s Time to Update Your School’s Lockers

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The lockers in your school are important because students need a space to keep the materials for their studies. It helps to have a designated storage space to house these materials when they’re not being used. If the lockers in your school are starting to show signs of wear and damage, it may be time to consider updating them. There are several ways to tell when it’s time to update your school’s lockers, so here are a few tips to help you know when it’s time to decide.

Dealing with Considerable Locker Damage & Wear

Lockers aren’t exactly treated gently. It seems a student’s preferred method of closing their lockers is by slamming them shut. Not only can this damage the door with nicks and dents, but it can also damage the hardware that keeps the door on the frame. Lockers endure a decent amount of wear over the years, so it’s important to routinely check the lockers to be sure that they’re in suitable shape.

The metal lockers in your school not only get scratched and dented over the years, but they’re also susceptible to rust. This is especially true in locker rooms. With the excessive amount of humidity and moisture, it makes it an ideal scenario for rust to appear on your lockers. Rust removal is effective, but time consuming and it can also lead to high maintenance costs.

Check out our Tufftec lockers here.

Graffiti is Constantly Showing Up

Graffiti is a common problem in all schools, especially middle school and high school. Bathrooms walls and stalls are often preferred canvases for budding graffiti artists. However, lockers are also a popular spot. In order to remove the graffiti, you’ll need to repaint the locker. Not only will this bump up your maintenance costs, but it can lead to VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions in your school. When there’s offensive graffiti present on your lockers, your hands are pretty much tied.

The Cost of Maintaining Your Lockers Keep Getting Higher

Tufftec Lockers in grey two-tonesUsually, the final straw for knowing when it’s time to update your lockers is when your maintenance costs have reached an all-time high. Instead of enduring these costs, as well as the time spent on maintaining your lockers, you should seek out a more cost-effective solution. This can allow you to not only update your lockers, but you can use this time to utilize a better material that can withstand the elements that have worn down your current lockers.

Check out our Duralife lockers here.

Replacing Your Lockers with HDPE

When you’re looking for a lasting replacement for your lockers, using HDPE plastic has its advantages. Not only is this solid plastic durable, but it can endure moisture and humidity in your locker rooms. Another important thing to know about HDPE is that it’s non-absorbent, so when there’s graffiti present on its surface, it can be easily wiped away. What may be the biggest advantage of using HDPE lockers is that they’re designed to last and are 100% sustainable, making them a long-lasting and eco-friendly replacement for your school’s lockers.

Want to learn more about HDPE plastic lockers and how they can benefit your school? Check out this FREE eBook, The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers, from your friends at Scranton Products.

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.

 

Graffiti: How to Channel Self Expression in a Positive Way

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Nurturing the artistic side in students is important. However, when that art becomes graffiti, it can become a major issue for a variety of reasons. Not only can graffiti be vulgar and offensive, but it can also cost your school in repairs and maintenance. The important thing is to find a middle ground to help students channel self-expression in a positive way while reducing the amount of graffiti popping up.

Focus on the Arts

While it’s important for students to express themselves creatively, they need to do so on paper and leave the walls, lockers, and toilet stalls alone. Some of these “graffiti artists” may be enrolled in art classes, but sometimes, that’s not enough to help contain their creativity. After-school art programs can be very beneficial at keeping these students focused on creating artwork rather than vandalizing school property. When students have a creative outlet that they can focus on, they’re less likely to damage school property in an attempt of expressing themselves.

Meet Them in the Middle

There’s nothing more unsettling to a school facility manager or principal than to see a wall in a high-traffic area coated in spray paint or permanent marker. Regardless of what the image depicts or says, it wasn’t cleared to go up on the wall and constitutes as vandalism and destruction of property. However, you can meet them in a middle by instituting a mural arts project for the school.

Get an art teacher to oversee the project and help the students come up with an approved image. They’ll be able to work together and put it up on a wall in your school. Not only will this channel their self-expression in a positive way, but they’ll learn while working in a team-oriented environment. The end result is a beautiful display in your school that can be appreciated by the students and faculty and invoke school spirit and pride.

Taking Preventative Measures

There are a number of ways that you can prevent students from painting graffiti in your school. If there are areas in the hall that see a lot of unapproved artwork popping up, positioning a security camera towards the wall can help reduce graffiti from popping up. Students won’t want to risk getting caught to face the punishment for their artistic expression.

Lockers and toilet stalls are also frequent targets for graffiti. Luckily, you can replace your lockers and partitions with HDPE solid plastic. This durable material features an exterior coating that can prevent the plastic from absorbing the paint. Should graffiti appear on these lockers and toilet partitions, you won’t have to repaint any of them because graffiti can be easily wiped away. Installing HPDE plastic in your school can greatly reduce the risk of graffiti showing up on your lockers and toilet stalls.

Want to learn more about how to handle graffiti in your school? Check out this blog post, How to Implement a Zero-Tolerance Policy to Graffiti Vandalism, from your friends at Scranton Products.

How to Remove Dents from Metal Lockers

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When you’ve got a lengthy list of items that need to be regularly maintained in your educational facility, school lockers aren’t always at the top, but they’re certainly important. Maintaining the lockers in your school can be a daunting task for a variety of reasons: the process is meticulous, it’s time-consuming, and there are thousands of lockers that you need to go through before the job is done. One of the most common forms of locker maintenance is removing the dents.

Here’s a few tips on how to remove the dents. We’ll even give you ways that you can avoidthis maintenance, like replacing your lockers for , so you can save yourself time and money on fixing them.

Factors That Can Dent Your Lockers

Students aren’t always gentle with the lockers in your school. In fact, they can sometimes be a bit rough. Most students choose slamming the locker shut as their preferred method of closing it, and over time, this can result in the locker door and frame becoming dented. Worst of all, this can cause the lockers to become less secure.

Another factor that leads to dented lockers is student rough housing. Students may playfully, or intentionally, shove each other against lockers. The combination of the body weight and the force of the impact can cause the metal to dent. Dented lockers are unsightly, and sometimes less secure, so correcting the issue is imperative.

Getting Those Dents Out

Tufts Dental Grey Tufftec LockersWhen you notice the unsightly dents, you’ll want to fix them before they get worse. Take a rubber mallet, or a flat hammer, and with medium force, strike the dent. You should have a hard flat surface behind the opposite direction of the dent to ensure that the dent evens out. Using light to medium force, strike the dent a few times. It’ll start to flatten out and become more even with the locker’s surface. You’ll want to complete this action after school hours due to the loud noise that’s expected when hammering the locker—you won’t want student distraction to be an issue.

After you’ve complete repairing the dents, whether you’ve removed the locker doors or kept them intact, you’ll want to check the lock to make sure that it wasn’t affected by the original denting or the repairs process. After you’ve hammered out the dents, look for any signs of chipped paint that may need to be corrected.

Why Use Plastic Storage Lockers?

If you’re growing tired of having to constantly hammer out lockers to fix dents, the answer may be right in front of you: get new lockers! Schools across the nation have begun implementing HDPE plastic lockers that have been successful at reducing the dents, damage, and wear of normal metal lockers. These solid HDPE plastic storage lockers provide a durable structure for storage, and they resist dents and even scratches. By implementing HDPE plastic lockers into your school, not only will you have sturdy and secure compartments for student materials, but they’re far less susceptible to the normal wear and tear of traditional metal lockers.

Learn about the many benefits and advantages that HDPE plastic lockers have over traditional metal lockers by checking out these free eBooks, The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers and the Locker Replacement Checklist, from your friends at Scranton Products.

 

 

 

How to Paint Metal Lockers

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Lockers are a necessity for schools of all kinds. As a facility manager, it’s your responsibility to maintain them properly throughout the years, and they require a certain amount of upkeep, such as fixing dents in lockers, tightening latches, and scrubbing away rust. Unless you have plastic lockers, they also need to be painted every once in a while, so they can continue retaining the aesthetics of your school.

However, when it comes to painting metal lockers, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take. To successfully paint your school’s lockers, you’ll need to follow these crucial steps.

Picking the Right Time to Paint

When it’s a busy school day, finding the time or the space to paint any metal lockers can be tricky. That’s why it’s always good to embark on a locker painting project during a holiday break or during the summer, when there’s only a few faculty and staff in the school. That way, you won’t have a lot of interference with rows of students heading to class. It’s also beneficial during a low occupancy day because of the VOC emissions that will be put off from the painting.

Choosing the Right Place

Now that you’ve got your time to paint, you need your place. Find an open area in the school that you can paint. It will allow you to have the room to paint multiple lockers, so you can start getting the job done. That way, you can reinstall the lockers quickly. You can paint the lockers where they stand, but you’ll need plenty of tarp or drop cloth coverage to prevent any paint from getting on the floor or the wall.

Painting Your Lockers

Before you start painting the metal lockers, you’ll want to use a paint primer that’s designed for metal. It will help the paint stick while providing some much-needed protection to the paint once it dries. Before beginning to apply the primer or the paint, you’ll need to make sure that the lockers are cleaned thoroughly, so there aren’t any imperfections once you’re completed. When you paint the lockers, you’ll need to apply multiple coats to make sure that the color matches on each locker.

Why Plastic Lockers are Better

Metal lockers are very durable and reliable storage compartments for the students. Sometimes, though, their maintenance, care, and upkeep outweigh their usefulness compared to plastic lockers. The constant maintenance and repainting certainly adds to the locker’s costs. What you need is a reliable locker that doesn’t require the constant upkeep while retaining its appearance and durability.

HDPE plastic school lockers are a great place to start because they don’t require a paint job. They’re available in a variety of homogenous colors that will stand up to the elements. Plastic lockers don’t require as much up keep as metal lockers, and can actually outlast metal lockers because they don’t rust. If there’s graffiti present, too, it can simply be wiped away.

Do you want to learn more about HDPE plastic lockers and how they can save you time and money with your school and maintenance? Check out this free eBook, The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers, from your friends at Scranton Products.

Lockers That Can Save Your School Money

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When you’re the facility manager for a school, it’s imperative that you not only keep up with the necessary maintenance, but also find ways to save money for the school. Routine maintenance can end up costing your school a lot, and with the man hours put into thorough and routine maintenance, finding a way to cut down on costs isn’t always the easiest thing to do. However, if you’re planning out a renovation process, there are some things you can do to save yourself time and money on maintenance, and it simply revolves around choosing the right lockers for your school.

The Problem with Metal Lockers

Metal lockers have been the standard for schools for way too long. Sure, they’re stable and they can be painted to match the décor, however, they do require a ton of maintenance throughout the years. Most notably, with scratches and dents that are unsightly and can reduce the secure structure of the locker. Students don’t necessarily treat their lockers gently, and many prefer to slam the locker shut as opposed to lightly closing them. Over time, this can result in surface damage, chipped paint, structural damage—not to mention the loud irritable noise.

When it comes time for maintenance, each locker may require special attention, depending on their appearance and any damage. If there’s chipped paint, you’ll have to add a fresh coat. If there’s any major dents or intrusions, the locker will most likely have to be replaced. If there’s enough damaged lockers, the costs of replacement could be pretty substantial.

Issues Facing Locker Rooms

Lockers that are located in your school’s locker room are susceptible to even more damage because of the humidity and moisture that’s a constant presence. It’s no mystery that moisture on metal results in rust. Rust can be removed with a variety of household solutions, but given the amount of lockers, this process can be time-consuming. The man hours spent scrubbing each individual locker can add up, and detract from some more pressing maintenance issues.

The Solution is HDPE Lockers

HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic lockers have been introduced to a few educational facilities across the nation and have yielded fantastic results. They provide a durable storage compartment for students. They’re impact-resistant, so the students preferred method of closing their lockers won’t result in any surface damage. Not to mention, but they’re also much quieter than metal. They can stand up to humidity and moisture without rusting, along with resisting moisture absorption and sprouting mold. The best part about HDPE lockers is that they can last for a long time without having to be replaced.

Cutting Costs on Maintenance

One of the main reasons that HDPE lockers have made a major impact in schools is because they’re low maintenance. They don’t require any fresh coats of paint, and they’re resistant to graffiti, scratches, and dents. The only real maintenance they require is a light cleaning. Over time, you’ll notice that the cost of maintenance on these lockers is much lower when compared to metal lockers and the more involved maintenance that they normally require. Essentially, these HDPE lockers can save your school money on maintenance.

Want to learn more about HDPE lockers and the many benefits to implementing them into your school? Download The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers from your friends at Scranton Products. This eBook can prepare you to make the right decision towards your school’s lockers and cut the cost on maintenance.

Middle School Lockers: Durable, Easy-to-Clean, & Cost-Effective HDPE

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When it comes to picking out the right lockers for your middle school or junior high, you’ll want to choose the right material that can handle a few hits, as well as something that’s not going to cost you a lot on maintenance. There are a few materials out there that facility managers have been using for years, however, there are better options out there, like HDPE plastic. We’re going to list a few reasons why you should consider choosing HDPE plastic for your middle school lockers.

HDPE Locker Durability

Middle school is when most students experience lockers for the first time. They’ve since upgraded from cubbies and desks with storage space. Now it’s time for them to store their materials in a locker, so choosing the right material can go a long way. Metal was always the standard material that was used for lockers, given its strong frame and light weight. However, metal lockers can be subject to a variety of damage and cosmetic issues.

Metal lockers can take a few hits, sure, but after constant slamming, there’s going to be signs of wear. The metal can easily be dented and scratched, but if a student gets the idea of marking the lockers with graffiti, the fresh paint and the man hours are going to cost you. HDPE can be a huge benefit in this situation because it’s a highly durable material that can take a few hits without resulting in damage. It also doesn’t need to be painted because it’s graffiti-resistant.

Easy to Clean HDPE

Cleaning all the lockers in your facility is never a fun experience. Not only are there a ton of lockers to clean, but the process may vary depending on the condition of the metal lockers. If there’s spray paint or even rust, you’ll have to invest in paint for the locker. But while traditional metal lockers can be very time consuming when it comes to maintenance, HDPE provides a simple and easy cleaning experience.

Due to the solid plastic construction, its overall appearance should remain untarnished by dents or scratches, which saves you from having to replace the locker. HDPE doesn’t require any sort of repainting or touch ups, and all HDPE lockers need is a light cleaning every now and then.

Cost-Effective HDPE

HDPE can be an investment…but after 2 years it is typically less expensive than other locker materials, such as metal, due to requiring less maintenance and no painting. HDPE is a cost-effective material that will allow you to save money and time when it comes to maintenance. It’s also a long-lasting material, so you won’t be looking at any costly replacements in the near future, and you’ll be able to keep the same lockers for years to come.

Want to learn more before you make the jump to HDPE lockers? Check out this free eBook, The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers, from your friends at Scranton Products.