Why Should I Use HDPE Plastic Materials?

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When choosing materials for your next project, you certainly have plenty of options. Since the 1950s, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has soared in popularity in the US, although it first started in the UK about two decades earlier. Now it’s one of the most widely used types of plastic available.

But what exactly is it and why should you consider using HDPE in your next project? Read below to find out.

What Is HDPE?

HDPE is made by stringing together ethylene molecules, hence the name polyethylene. The ethylene molecules come primarily from US natural gas resources, and the resulting plastic is as versatile as it is durable, being used in a variety of applications.

One reason contractors, builders, and facility supervisors prefer HDPE over other materials is because it’s lightweight while also managing to be extremely strong. It’s also resistant to impacts and very durable, standing up to the daily wear and tear in commercial restroom, locker room and similar environments. Bump into a locker made from HDPE and it won’t dent. Nor will it rot or grow mold as wood or other materials might, making HDPE plastics ideal for use where moisture is common, such as a commercial bathroom.

HDPE Is Environmentally Conscious

HDPE offers a relatively low environmental impact and substantial improvements to the indoor air quality both initially and in the long run.

In addition, HDPE materials from Scranton Products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified. This exclusive certification features extremely strict criteria and takes into account certain safety factors for sensitive individuals, making Scranton Products’ HDPE brands perfectly suitable for use in healthcare facilities and schools.

Scranton Products brands are 100% recyclable at end of use. Plus the plastic is solid colored throughout. That means no volatile organic compound emissions inside your facility, no chipping, and no need to repaint.

Lower Long-Term Costs

One of the biggest problems facing building officials is the cost to maintain their facilities. In this respect, HDPE holds a significant advantage over other common building materials, such as metal.

Take a locker, for example. Metal lockers may have a lower initial cost than lockers made from HDPE, but the cost of maintaining metal can surpass that of HDPE over time. When you factor in the cost of painting, cleaning, and other maintenance, HDPE lockers are less expensive than their metal counterparts.

That’s because HDPE is durable and resistant to germs*, rust, corrosion, and even graffiti. Therefore, it requires minimal care to stay in good working condition due to being power washable and steamcleanable.  Not only that, but in the case of lockers, HDPE is more effective at noise reduction than traditional metal lockers.

If you’d like to learn more about HDPE or any of the brands offered by Scranton Products, contact us today.

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Reclaiming Privacy in Bathrooms through New Partitions

Bathroom privacy is a crucial element to the experience of using a public or commercial bathroom. This is especially true if the restroom serves multiple occupants at a time. Given the close quarters, it’s important to strive for absolute privacy with your facility’s restroom. One way that you can improve the privacy in your restrooms is through new bathroom partitions that offer more comfort and security to the occupants.

The Problem with Your Current Toilet Partitions

Restroom partitions serve a very simple but important purpose: privacy. They divide each toilet to provide a safe and confidential experience for each individual. However, some partitions lack the amount of privacy that one would like while going to the bathroom.

The main drawbacks to toilet partitions are their imperfections. There are design flaws like the door hinges, which lock and secure the stall, but they leave a line of sight that can make any occupant feel uncomfortable or exposed. There’s also a noticeable lack of bathroom privacy with the exposed bottom, which doesn’t hide an occupant’s feet. The top of the partitions also leave room for exposure and discomfort, especially if there’s a taller-than-average occupant in the next stall.

How to Improve the Privacy in Your Facility’s Restroom

There are a few ways that you can make the experience of going to the bathroom a little more comfortable for the occupants. However, the best way is by installing new partitions that offer more security and privacy, as well as customizable options to reduce any exposed areas or sightlines. You’ll also want to consider using strong and durable plastics to ensure that these new partitions will last.

The Types of Partitions that Can Improve Bathroom Privacy

HDPE plastic is one of the best materials that you can use for partitions in your facility’s restroom. Not only is this material durable and impact resistant, but it can actually withstand the moisture and humidity that’s prevalent in bathrooms, which leads to mold growth and the spread of bacteria. These sustainable and recyclable partitions are also guaranteed to last up to 25 years and require little maintenance.

Hiny Hiders® Partitions: Hiny Hiders® Partitions are a modern take on the classic stall design, but with a few new implementations to ensure total privacy. These doors can feature an optional shiplap cut edge that can ensure that the gap between the door and the frame is eliminated.

Eclipse Partitions®: Eclipse Partitions® offer a sleek and contemporary design that uses hidden hardware and handles with occupancy indicators that increased the privacy of the commercial bathroom experience.

Aria Partitions®: Aria Partitions® offer higher privacy by reducing sightlines, as well as floor and ceiling gaps to deliver a comfortable and secure experience. These enclosed toilet partitions can be customized to fit any design pattern or space in your facility.

Improving the privacy in your facility’s restroom is important for providing a safe, comfortable, and secure atmosphere to the occupants.

Want to learn more about these HDPE plastic partitions? Check out this blog post, HDPE Partitions Styles & Advantages, from your friends at Scranton Products.

How Your Hospital Locker Rooms Could Be a Breeding Ground for Bacteria

Any medical official can tell you that MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), simply known as infections that are resistant to antibiotics, can be extremely serious. That’s why it’s important to protect your hospital’s locker rooms from essentially becoming a Petri dish for this and other harmful bacteria.

However, like most things in life, there’s a right way and a wrong way to make sure that your staff and patients are protected.

Keeping Hospital Locker Rooms Bacteria-Free

Preventing hospital infections starts with selecting the right materials for both patient and staff facilities, including locker rooms.

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More importantly, these cleaning products can be harmful to the cleaning staff, who may be accidently overexposing themselves to fumes and corrosive liquids. For these reasons, it’s important to use cleaning products only as directed or to consider alternative options.

One way to keep your hospital locker rooms free of bacteria is to use bacteria-resistant materials like HDPE, or high-density polyethylene.

Bacteria-Resistant Locker Rooms

HDPE is a heavy-duty plastic material that can be manufactured into lockers, shower stalls, bathroom partitions, and more. This durable material is naturally resistant to bacteria and incredibly easy to clean. Since they have color throughout and aren’t painted, cleaning staff can power wash HDPE surfaces without fear of causing damage.

Just how resistant to germs are HDPE materials? According to independent tests, 98.4% of MRSA bacteria on HDPE surfaces died within just 24 hours without the use of any cleaning products – a significant advantage when planning facilities with minimizing hospital infections in mind.

In addition to limiting the growth of bacteria, HDPE is resistant to dents, scratches, rust, and graffiti. These qualities make it ideal for use in medical facilities as well as schools, government buildings, and more.

HDPE in the Real World

Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL, is familiar with the benefits of HDPE materials, having chosen them for use in the clinical area and nurse’s lounge. To maintain a healthy and safe environment, 500 HDPE lockers was installed to replace the previous metal ones.

“The new lockers are much more hygienic than metal because bacteria cannot live on the surface for very long,” said Mary Grimm, RN, nurse manager for maternal child services at the hospital.

Read the full Little Company of Mary Hospital Case Study for more information about their experience with HDPE materials.  If you’d like to know how you can use antibacterial restroom hardware, HDPE lockers, shower stalls, and partitions in your hospital locker room, contact us at Scranton Products today.

The Right Questions to Ask When Shopping for New Restroom Partitions

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Whether you’re conducting a thorough renovation of your facility’s restrooms or the partitions have succumbed to wear and damage, it’s important to choose the right restroom partitions. There are plenty of options out there, but you don’t want to make the same mistake twice. That’s why you should come prepared with questions so you can make the right decision towards the new stalls in your facility’s bathrooms.

Here’s the right questions to ask when shopping for new restroom partitions.

What Do These Partitions Offer in Terms of Durability?

Regardless of what type of facility you oversee, you’ll want to be sure that you’re choosing reliable materials for your restroom. Durability is important because you want the doors and frames to be strong and not endure any unnecessary damage due to an occupant closing the door a little rough. While there are plenty of strong and reliable materials out there, HDPE rises to the top due to its scratch- and dent-resistant surface. This material can take quite a few hits and not show any surface damage or cosmetic issues.

Is There a Paper Core Interior?

Most run-of-the-mill toilet partitions feature a paper core interior. However, you’ll want to avoid this for a variety of reasons, but mainly to avoid any costly replacements down the road. Paper core interiors may seem cost-effective at first, but due to the constant exposure to humidity and moisture, they can end up absorbing the moisture. Soon after they absorb the moisture, they can begin to sprout mold, resulting in foul odors and bacteria. Eventually, a replacement of the entire affected partition will be needed. For the best results, you’ll want to seek out a solid non-absorbent material like HDPE.

Do These Partitions Require Considerable Maintenance?

There’s no way to avoid routine maintenance; however, choosing the right material can greatly reduce the costs and the time spent on repairs and adjustments. What you want to look for is a material that can withstand the elements, provide a strong structure, and have a great screw retention. Another factor to consider is finding a material that doesn’t have to be repainted, so you don’t have to take the time to not only paint, but close off your restroom until the harmful toxins and emissions have dissipated.

How Long Will These Partitions Last?

When you’re investing in new toilet partitions, you’ll want to be sure that it’s money well-spent. That means choosing a material that not only meets your criteria, but a material that will last you the years without needing frequent replacements. HDPE solid plastic is warranted for 25 years, meaning that it can last, and is covered should an unforeseen event occur that requires a replacement of your partition.

It’s good to ask these questions when you’re browsing different materials that can be used as your next toilet partitions. You’ll want to make the right decision by choosing a durable and low-cost maintenance material that will last. Want to learn more about finding the right materials? Check out this free eBook, Choosing Bathroom Materials, from your friends at Scranton Products.

Danger Lurking in Your Wooden Bathroom Vanities

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In the 21st century, wooden vanities are like wooden fireplaces—not so much so that you should be worried about them catching fire, but more in the way that they’re not a good idea. In fact, there could be any number of dangers lurking in your wooden bathroom vanities, especially if they’re near a water source such as in locker room or restroom.

In this post, we take a closer look at what problems your wooden bathroom vanities may pose as well as a cost-effective alternative.

Dangers of Your Wooden Vanity

There’s one element present in bathrooms that can be extremely damaging to wood surfaces: moisture. Even if the vanity is laminated and sealed, it doesn’t guarantee that moisture won’t be able to find its way inside and begin wreaking havoc on the delicate wood below.

When moisture comes in contact with a porous surface such as wood, a number of things can occur. For one, it becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Mold can be extremely harmful and even life threatening in certain cases.

But that’s not the only issue. As moisture remains present, the wood may begin to rot and break down.

In either scenario, the wooden bathroom vanity will need to be repaired or replaced entirely. But moisture isn’t the only threat to your wooden vanities.

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Wooden Vanities Prone to Damage and Graffiti

Wood, unlike tougher materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or steel, is easily damaged. This damage may be caused accidentally, like a maintenance worker chipping the wood while working on nearby pipes. Or it may be done intentionally by vandals who want to deface the vanity by scratching or writing on it.

Both of these problems are fairly common with wooden bathroom fixtures in commercial settings, and it’s also true that their presence tends to inhibit more. So it’s vital if your wooden bathroom vanity is damaged or defaced to repair or replace it right away.

An Alternative to Wooden Bathroom Vanities

If you’d rather not deal with the dangers that can lurk in a wooden vanity, there are some alternatives out there, like HDPE. This highly durable plastic has been used to make vanities, bathroom partitions, and lockers. The best part is that it’s resistant to the problems that plague wooden vanities.

Since HDPE is non-porous, it’s resistant to mold and mildew. It will also never rot and is highly resistant to scratches and even graffiti.

NEW Ridge Series™ Bathroom Vanities featuring Aria Partitions®

NEW Ridge Series™ Bathroom Vanities featuring Aria Partitions®

But that’s still not all of the benefits of using HDPE for your bathroom vanity. It’s also resistant to bacteria, so your bathroom is actually cleaner and healthier. In fact, HDPE is naturally germ resistant!

If you’re tired of repairing and replacing your wooden bathroom vanities, consider an alternative like HDPE. You can learn more about this versatile material by contacting our team at Scranton Products.

If you’re interested in redesigning the rest of your bathroom as well, then check out our free eBook Restroom Design for Commercial Facilities. 

Why You Should Consider Maintenance Costs When Designing a New Building

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It’s easy to overlook maintenance costs when designing a new building, but it could end up hurting you. That’s because administrators, contractors, architects, and other building officials are under constant pressure to keep costs down and stay within budget. However, choosing the cheapest materials or building methods can have expensive maintenance requirements.

In this post, we take a closer look at why it’s important to consider maintenance costs when designing a new building as well as the difference between initial cost and life cycle cost.

Understanding Initial Cost and Life Cycle Cost

When you create a budget for a new building design, you’re looking at the initial cost. The budget specifies how much of the allocated funds will be used for each component, including supplies and labor. Although it’s true that every project relies on this number for approval, shooting for the lowest initial cost isn’t always the best decision.

For example, when purchasing building materials, the least expensive option might be of the poorest quality. In most circumstances, you pay more for higher quality and longer material life span.

Life cycle cost, on the other hand, is a way of budgeting that considers the entire cost of a material over the course of its life span. This includes any anticipated repairs, replacements, or maintenance. For example, let’s say one lamp cost $100 and another cost $200. The first lamp is cheaper, but the life expectancy of the second lamp is three times as long.

Thus, you’d spend more money in the long run by purchasing the $100 lamp since you’d have to replace it twice before you’d need to replace the more expensive lamp.

Calculating Maintenance Costs

Now that you’ve learned the difference between initial and life cycle costs, it’s easy to see why buying for life cycle costs is the smarter choice. But how exactly do you know if a material or building method will help to lower maintenance costs? Here are a few ways to help you make the right decision.

Is It Easy to Clean?

Clean materials tend to outlast those that aren’t, so opting for materials and products that are easy to clean and care for is a great idea. But not only might the material last long, it could also save you money on cleaning costs since less cleaning materials will need to be used.

Maintenance Costs

Does It Resist Damage?

Being durable is a good sign that the product or material is going to help cut your long-term maintenance costs. The good news is, products that are resistant to damage like dents, scratches, or graffiti will usually showcase that aspect as one of the primary features of the product. If you’re not sure, talk with your architect or contractor.

What Kind of Regular Care Does It Need?

Lights will need to have their bulbs replaced, HVAC systems will require routine maintenance, but it’s important to know these things before you make a purchase and factor that into the life cycle cost. For example, HDPE bathroom partitions are colored throughout and don’t require painting or repainting, whereas metal partitions do.

As you can see, it’s vital for you to consider maintenance costs when designing a new building. Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to building a cost-effective facility.

How You Can Prevent Bacteria Growth on Bathroom Partitions

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When you’re in charge of a public or commercial bathroom, you want to be sure that it remains clean and free of any harmful bacteria. It’s especially important to keep bacteria in bathrooms at bayin order to create a sanitary space for its users.

But with all of the moisture and humidity in bathrooms, how can you prevent harmful bacteria growth, such as mold and mildew, on bathroom partitions?

You can have a clean, presentable, and sanitary bathroom thanks to the help of Scranton Products. Read on to learn how you can prevent bacteria growth on your bathroom partitions.

Choose a Bathroom Partition Material That’s Impermeable to Moisture

Moisture is one of the leading causes of bacterial growth and reproduction in public and commercial bathrooms. In fact, moisture is the catalyst for mold, mildew, and bacteria in bathrooms. However, if you select a partition material that repels moisture, you will have taken an important step to help reduce bacteria from growing on the surface.

This impermeable surface can be found through the use of HDPE plastic bathroom partitions such as Scranton Products’ Hiny Hiders, Eclipse Partitions and Aria Partitions which don’t allow for the growth of mold or mildew.

Build Your Bathroom Partitions with Material That’s Resistant to MRSA Bacteria

MRSA is a bacteria that causes hard-to-treat infections. Upon exposure, individuals may experience sores or blisters, while more severe cases can infect the bloodstream. Needless to say, it’s a type of bacteria that you want to keep out of your bathroom and off your bathroom partitions.

To easily prevent this bacterial growth, you need to build your bathroom partitions with naturally germ-resistant material, such as the HDPE Hiny Hiders. The naturally germ-resistant material kills 98.4% of MRSA bacteria on the surface of the partitions within 24 hours without cleaning.  This is important for the health of the people using your bathrooms, especially if they put their hands on the bathroom partitions.

Make Sure That Your Bathroom Partitions Have Been Properly Tested to Repel Bacteria

When trying to prevent bacteria from growing on your bathroom partitions, make sure that the material you choose has been properly tested for this.

You don’t have to take our word for it when we say that the HDPE Hiny Hiders bathroom partitions are impermeable to moisture and naturally germ resistant. Scranton Products HDPE underwent a 28-day test by the American Society for Testing and Materials, during which time they didn’t experience any microbial growth, such as mold or mildew, as opposed to other bathroom partition materials. And the SiTU Biosciences Lab confirmed that HDPE material is germ resistant without the help of any cleaning supplies.

Bathrooms are breeding grounds for bacteria and germs, and you don’t want your bathroom partitions to be susceptible to them. The easy method for prevention would be to choose HDPE Hiny Hiders, Eclipse and Aria Partitions from Scranton Products which have been tested to prevent and be resistant to harmful bacteria in bathrooms, creating a more sanitary environment for your bathroom partitions.

Locker Room Design Tips: How to Choose the Right Locker Material

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When you select new lockers for your school hallway or gym locker room, you need to choose durable and long-lasting materials that will withstand the daily wear and tear of the facility’s environment. But with so many different options to choose from, how can you be sure that you’ll choose the right one for your school or facility?

To help you learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of the various locker material choices available to you, we’re here to give you some locker room design tips. Read on to learn how to choose the right locker material for your needs.

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Wood Lockers

Lockers made out of wood are used in a number of higher end settings. They share many of the same durability issues as painted metal but don’t perform as well since wood is typically more susceptible to damage from direct impacts than metal. If laminated plywood is used, that material may experience delamination if water or other liquids are able to seep between the layers.

The biggest issue with wood as a locker material is the fact that it is porous, meaning it will absorb odors as well. The odors can compound and create an unwelcome situation not only within a locker, but within a room or corridor where they are located. The porosity of the wood speaks of its organic nature and its ability to contribute as a food source for the growth of mold. Wood lockers will similarly require repainting or refinishing over time for a variety of reasons related to use, fading, and wear and tear.

Metal Lockers

Metal lockers are frequently found in school hallways and gym locker rooms because of their low cost and the view that they’re the standard product in the industry

Lockers made out of painted metal have been a common and long standing choice among many school districts and architects. They are typically viewed as a low cost option and a standardized product. However the cost benefit is limited to the initial purchase cost of the lockers only. Over time, they have been shown to require significant maintenance and attention which translates to more costs for several reasons.

While metal is seen to be fairly durable it certainly bends and is susceptible to dents and other damages. When the paint is compromised, then the metal is unprotected and that can lead to further damage such as corrosion or rust. This creates issues of both security and appearance if the damage occurs on the outside of the locker. It can also be a significant issue on the inside of the locker, particularly if wet items are placed on the bottom, scraping paint off and causing rust. That rust could eventually require the bottom or the whole locker unit to be replaced. In addition to the durability limitations of painted metal lockers, there are issues with keeping them clean and attractive. Painted metal has very low resistance to graffiti, scuffs and stains. Removal of any of these is typically not an easy task and may require the use of solvents that can damage the painted surfaces. In certain cases, removal may not be readily possible and the only option is to repaint.

Phenolic Lockers

Phenolic is a hard, dense material made by applying heat and pressure to layers of paper impregnated with synthetic resin.  Phenolic lockers are the most commonly thought of as durable lockers but are extremely heavy. Phenolic lockers are also not color throughout and most known for their black core exposed edges.

Phenolic material is not recyclable and not made in the US due to its harsh chemicals.

HDPE Plastic Lockers

HDPE plastic lockers are inherently moisture impermeable and non-porous, therefore lockers made of this material will never rust, corrode, or delaminate. For this reason, they are require little maintenance and have a low cost of ownership. From the standpoint of general durability, an impact test conducted following ASTM standards showed that HDPE plastic lockers had 59 times greater resistance to impacts when compared to metal lockers.

The nature of this material is to absorb and disperse any impact, meaning that dents are not likely and it is more resistant to abuse. Further, since the material is manufactured with solid coloring throughout, it makes scratches difficult to see, helping to retain its appearance under normal wear and tear conditions.

From a general maintenance standpoint, the qualities of HDPE that make it impermeable and nonporous mean that dirt, marker, paint and other items don’t stick to it. Worry-free maintenance is a real possibility when HDPE lockers are installed.

Even though there are many material options to choose from for lockers, it is important to understand the characteristics and what material will best fit your facility’s needs.

Scranton Products’ Duralife and Tufftec lockers are made with HDPE plastic material and have a wide range of design options. Learn where you can find HDPE plastic lockers near you.


Sustainable Building Products

4 Ways to Be More Environmentally Conscious without Remodeling

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It’s important to attempt to be environmentally friendly as much as possible, and that includes commercial restrooms and public locker rooms. Even a few minor tweaks and changes can go a long way in terms of supporting the environment.

You don’t have to completely remodel your restroom or locker room to boost your eco-friendly aspects. Scranton Products is here with four ways that you can be environmentally conscious without remodeling, so read on to learn how.

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HDPE vs Phenolic Toilet Partitions

When it comes to bathroom partitions, your options are limited. There’s metal and then there’s plastic. So how do you know which material is the best fit?

In this article, we compare HDPE (high-density polyethylene) vs. phenolic toilet partitions, two of the most popular materials on the market, so you can see how they stack up. We’ll also help you decide which material is right for your next remodel or construction project.

HDPE vs Phenolic Material Comparison

HDPE features solid plastic with color throughout. When the 1-inch-thick panels are configured into a standard toilet partition, it weighs about 165 lbs. Phenolic, on the other hand, is resin-impregnated kraft paper, featuring ¾- and ½-inch panels and pilasters.

Many people have the misconception that HDPE and phenolic toilet partitions are made from the same material. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

HDPE vs Phenolic

HDPE is made of high-density polyethylene resin and pigments. Phenolic partitions, on the other hand, are made of a melamine sheet and many layers of resin-impregnated kraft paper. When it comes to the harsh conditions that can be found in commercial restrooms, HDPE offers additional performance in microbial resistance, surface durability, sustainability, and cost of ownership.

Let’s take a closer look at those categories now.

Microbial Resistance of HDPE and Phenolic Partitions

Resistance to mold and mildew is an important quality when talking about commercial bathroom partitions. Moisture is certainly abundant, and porous surfaces are most at risk.

In a controlled scientific test, we found that HDPE was 100% resistant to mold and mildew. Meanwhile, phenolic took only 21 days to begin showing signs of mold and mildew growth. By day 28, that number continued to rise.

Comparing Surface Durability

Public restrooms can undergo heavy use, and their ability to stand up to normal wear and tear is essential for keeping operating costs down. When it comes to abrasion resistance, HDPE comes out on top compared to phenolic toilet partitions. Phenolic experiences higher surface wear, which indicates a lower resistance to abrasion. This wear could come from normal handling, cleaning, or polishing.

What’s more is that once the surface of the phenolic toilet partition has been worn or scratched, it may be more difficult to remove stains or a ghosting effect could occur.

Sustainability

It’s no secret that HDPE is 100% recyclable, but did you now that it’s also available in 100% post-consumer content? Phenolic, on the other hand, isn’t recyclable and it’s not available in any amount of post-consumer content.

HDPE partitions are also low-emitting materials and free of added urea-formaldehyde resins. Phenolic partitions can’t say the same.

Cost of Ownership

One of the most important factors that designers consider when sourcing materials is the cost of ownership. HDPE partitions have a relatively low initial cost and even fewer long-term costs when you consider its impeccable durability. Meanwhile, phenolic partitions may cost you more upfront and require additional long-term costs compared to HDPE.

About Scranton Products

Scranton Products is the leading manufacturer of HDPE bathroom partitions in North America. Our HDPE partitions are distributed through one of the largest distribution networks in the industry.

Click here to learn more about Scranton’s toilet partitions.