Author: Joe

Designing for Authentic Sustainability

When architects are tasked with envisioning a brand new, potentially LEED®-certified building, it should be designed with sustainability in mind every step of the way. Not only is it friendlier to the environment, but sustainable operation is closely linked to economical operation, providing architects with opportunities to support their clients’ long-term business goals and develop positive relationships.

A 2015 study showed a statistical link between tenant satisfaction and sustainability efforts involving cost savings from energy and other forms of conservation. In addition, a study conducted in 2017 revealed that nearly one in 10 millennials would quit their jobs if they found out their current employer was not sustainable. Working toward authentic sustainability isn’t just good for the environment—it’s good for business, too.

There is strong demand for sustainable restrooms, and to achieve authentic long-term sustainability, architects and designers must consider a variety of factors and solutions.

Soap Dispensers

Specifying the appropriate soap dispenser can greatly affect sustainability goals. Excess waste from proprietary soap cartridges limits purchase choice, and such systems can lead to difficult maintenance. Streamlined, top-fill designs that simplify maintenance and utilize jug soap also improve efficiency substantially. In addition, dispensers that utilize foaming hand soap allow for greater hand coverage, reducing product waste and achieving the ideal hand wash without excess resource consumption characteristic of liquid soap.

Paper Towel Dispensers

Paper towel dispensers are another common source of inefficiency. Many roll paper towel systems produce what is known as a “stub roll” at the end of each roll. This stub roll will comprise a portion of unused paper towels that typically gets discarded, and the accumulation of stub rolls leads to excess waste. However, some units are equipped with stub roll utilization functionality, ensuring that every roll goes its furthest, providing complete consumable usage at less replacement time.

Dispensers without portion control features are also culprits of excess paper towel usage, allowing patrons to use more towels than necessary. Specifying dispensers with adjustable pull lengths and portion control features can curb wasteful behavior.

Folded paper towel dispensers, while sometimes less sustainable, can be equipped with accessories that eliminate handful dispensing to ensure one towel dispense per use.

Hand Dryers

While hand dryers solve many sustainability challenges, other factors come into play. For example, wattage and functionality of hand dryers, and other accessories, can lead to high energy costs, reducing their impact—especially high-speed hand dryers. However, recent innovations yield wattages as low as 200 kW (0.2 watts) and longer life expectancies. It is essential to take a holistic approach to hand dryer selection. Before specifying, consider the needs of the building occupancy in concern with performance features.

Touchless Accessories

Touchless accessories have virtually become standard to sustainable restroom design, due to their hygienic function and ability to minimize water and consumable usage. However, energy requirements, such as batteries and AC power usage, should be considered during specification. It is important to note that there are two types of hands-free sensor: infrared and fiber optic. Infrared may result in wasted water and soap, while fiber optics tend to be more reliable.

Communicating the Value of Sustainability

As the key decision maker in product specification, it is standard to provide support materials such as Building Information (BIM) analyses, technical data and compliance documentation to support specification decision. This is important because individuals from stakeholders like contractors and facility managers can challenge your selections. Energy savings should be outlined and communicated right off the bat.

Architects will likely engage with a manufacturer’s representative, who can provide support in communicating the benefits of chosen products. These representatives can serve as consultative educators, providing resources to help specifiers defend their choices.

Today, innumerable building products are marketed as “sustainable.” Authentic, long-term sustainability should be considered just as important, if not more, than sustainable materials used in manufacture or any other factor address by LEED. Understanding and communicating the operating value of each product, including measurable cost and resource savings, can be the deciding factor in securing the specification. By considering strategies beyond those typically associated with green building, architects can achieve their design vision and make it last.

Take the Credit
Earn an AIA/CES Learning credit with Bobrick’s new AIA/HSW CEU course, Designing Restrooms for Sustainable Operation.
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SOLUTIONS TO MEET DEMAND FOR FREE FEMININE PRODUCT VENDORS

Between changes in patron preferences and new legislation, free feminine products are increasingly seen as a necessity.

Today, public schools in particular are using free feminine product vendors to support the health and comfort of female students while reducing absentee rates. Even some private facilities and retail establishments are using free vend products to build stronger connections with and show concern for their customer base. Manufacturers have a responsibility to fulfill these needs with product options—and Bobrick has done just that.

The prospect of offering free feminine hygiene products may strike concern for some facility owners who consider the long-term cost of consumables like tampons and sanitary pads. Thus, many facilities are considering token-vend products to provide this valuable service while also controlling the rate of consumption.

As laws and preferences prompt specifiers and facility managers to consider free sanitary napkin/tampon vendors, Bobrick has reacted to the trend with an unmatched selection of free-vend solutions, including new token-vend products to meet the needs of cost-conscious facilities.

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*Map last updated on 04/08/2019

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Equity Legislation

In an effort to improve student health, reduce absentee rates and promote focused learning, several states and municipalities have enacted legislation requiring free feminine care products in public schools.

In 2016, New York City passed a legislative package making free feminine hygiene products available in all city public schools, shelters and correctional facilities. In 2017, the Illinois State Legislature passed a law requiring bathrooms in schools with grades 6 through 12 to make tampons and sanitary napkins available at no cost.

In 2018, a new law took effect in California requiring public schools serving grades 6 through 12, where 40 percent of students fall below to poverty line, to stock at least half of their bathrooms with free feminine products—approximately 4,000 schools meet this criteria, including about 12,000 students within the Los Angeles Unified School District.


(Click to enlarge)
Infographic courtesy of the
Free the Tampons Foundation

Meanwhile, a Wisconsin legislator has reintroduced a bill that would make free tampons and sanitary napkins a requirement in restrooms in government buildings.

With other states and municipalities currently considering similar legislation and social movements, such as Free the Tampons, gaining traction, one thing’s clear—the free vend is gaining steam.

Promoting Dignity & Health

While current legislation has chiefly affected public schools and other public facilities, it’s worth noting that oftentimes, changes like these tend to eventually find their way into the state building code, which covers privately-owned commercial facilities.

Thus, architects and designers striving to achieve inclusive or universal design principles, may consider free vend solutions to not only satisfy the law but also create a more inclusive patron experience.

Any facility looking to meet the expectations of its female user base should consider how common it is for U.S. women ages 18-54 to have their period begin unexpectedly in public. The following survey results are courtesy of the Free the Tampons Foundation:

  • 86 percent of women need access to supplies while in public
  • 34 percent went home immediately to get feminine supplies.
  • 48 percent only carry feminine hygiene products when expecting or experiencing their period.

These takeaways underscore the importance of increasing public access to feminine care products—when users don’t have the supplies they need readily available, work and school attendance can suffer.

The Value of Free

Some designers and facility managers may consider potential long-term operating costs when entertaining free vend solutions. However, studies show that users take the products they need and no more. In facilities where free vend has been introduced, users consume less than two products per year, on average. As most women have a preferred brand, the free product is viewed as a “last resort” for unplanned events only.

Further, since 2017, several states have already exempted menstrual care products from sales tax, including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. In addition, the following states are exempt from all taxes related to menstrual care products: Alaska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Delaware and Montana.

For operators, this underscores the cost-benefit of implementing free-vend—in most cases, the service benefit will far outweigh the cost of consumables. That’s why Bobrick has reacted to the free-vend trend with an unmatched selection of free- and token-vend products.

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A Helping Hand for Dryer Selection:

How to Specify the Right Hand Dryer

Choosing the right hand dryer can facilitate a range of benefits for facilities. It can be the finishing touch that ties together a restroom’s high-end aesthetic, align with a facility’s goal of being ADA-complaint and help create a healthy, hygienic environment. A great hand dryer choice can also facilitate significant long-term cost savings for the owner while reducing the impact of the restroom on the environment.

Every building project—and every restroom—has unique needs. Your hand dryer specification should reflect those needs and provide added value to the owner, thereby strengthening your relationships and ensuring that the intent of your design endures.

Consider Owner, Building Type & Occupants

Each building type has unique requirements and needs that hand dryers can support. Before specifying a hand dryer, ask yourself:

  • What kind of building is it?
  • Who will be using it?
  • What kind of traffic must it serve?
  • Which benefits can best serve these goals? (i.e. noise level, hygiene or design)

Thus, building type can help you form a baseline for your hand dryer specification. Consider the following building types and their requirements before choosing a hand dryer.

Prestige Buildings

Examples: Corporate headquarters, Class-A offices, iconic civic centers, major universities, concert halls, upscale properties, corporate headquarters

Characteristics: Clean, high-end design, hygiene and cleanliness

Critical Features

  • High-end design: For prestige buildings, supporting the facility’s high-end aesthetic should be your top priority when choosing a hand dryer. Look for stainless steel finishes, clean forms, and, if budget and wall construction permits, recessed installation.
  • Hygienic operation: One common drawback of many hand dryers is their tendency to splash water onto the restroom floor, wall or even the patron. Not only are these puddles unhygienic, but also they can create serious fall hazards. Look for models with design elements that absorb or catch excess water, which also can significantly reduce janitorial workload to support economical operation.
Standard Use Buildings

Examples: Commercial office facilities, healthcare centers, hospitality projects, manufacturing plants, retail spaces

Characteristics: Moderate traffic, modest budgets, compliant objectives, pleasant environment

Critical Features

  • Low noise: Since so many standard use buildings are places of work, learning and commerce, it’s critical that the hand dryers help maintain a pleasant, low-noise environment. Many popular hand dryer brands can operate as high as 86 measured decibels (dBA); consider models that operate at 72 dBA or lower to maintain a pleasant atmosphere conducive to productivity, learning and interaction.
  • Accessibility compliance: Since so many standard use facilities—especially healthcare facilities—must serve people of very different ages and abilities, supporting accessible design objectives is critical. 2010 ADA Standards require that restroom accessories installed with leading edges between 27 inches and 80 inches above the floor must protrude no more than 4 inches maximum into a circulation path. Look for hand dryers that satisfy the 4-inch protrusion requirement.

“Nice to Have” Features

  • Contemporary design: If budget permits, find a model with an aesthetically pleasing design that harmonizes with the restroom’s aesthetic. In fact, many hand dryers with distinctive designs and stainless steel finishes are available within many standard use clients’ desired price range.
Heavy Traffic Buildings

Examples: K-12 schools, shopping malls, amusement parks, recreation facilities, transportation centers, airports, stadiums, restaurants

Characteristics: Periods of heavy traffic and usage, high facility operating costs

Critical Features:

  • Low wattage: When it comes to energy costs, years of consistent, heavy traffic can add up. Seek out a low-wattage jet dryer that can support high traffic flow without driving up the facility’s energy costs. While some leading brands operate as high as 1.7 kW, Bobrick’s InstaDry™ Surface-Mounted Hand Dryer operates as low as 0.2 kW, facilitating to up to 80 percent savings on annual operating costs. Further, low wattage dryers can also achieve an effect of “accelerating savings”—the more they’re used, the more the facility saves. Finally, many heavy traffic facilities have lofty sustainability goals, and a low wattage dryer can help support that, too.
  • Lifespan: Facility managers at high traffic facilities have enough to worry about—hand dryers breaking down on a regular basis shouldn’t be one of them. By investing in a hand dryer with a long lifespan, the replacement cycle is reduced and the facility spends less money and time replacing units.

“Nice to Have” Features

  • High-end design: If budget allows it, a hand dryer with high-end aesthetics can help heavy traffic facilities project a high-end image.

Have a project that requires a smart hand dryer specification? Find Bobrick solutions in our Complete Hand Dryer Range brochure.

REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS
Download Bobrick’s Complete Hand Dryer Range brochure to put these insights into action!
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Why Specifiers Should Care About Proprietary vs. Non-Proprietary Systems

Don’t let your design intent get scrubbed. After all, as an architect or interior designer, the primary value you bring to every project is your vision.

Whether you’re specifying a toilet partition system or a soap dispenser, the products you choose have a profound effect on the overall aesthetic and experience of the restroom for years to come.

When the product you specify causes headaches for the building owner—in the form of increased maintenance, cost-in-use and even excessive waste—you put your design intent in serious jeopardy. In many cases, a high-cost, high-labor system is specified by the architect; within a few months or less, the owner or facility manager will have already replaced the system with a more cost-effective (and often times, uglier) option.

In your upfront specification, avoid leaving the dispensing system up to the owner who may compromise your overall restroom design by affixing a plastic soap dispenser to the mirror, which can be unsightly and messy, resulting in water puddles on the counter. Further, once you leave the soap dispenser up to the owner, consider it “open season” on the rest of your design choices, from the toilet tissue dispenser to the towel dispenser.

The bottom line: As a specifier, specifying an effective soap dispensing system should be your responsibility—in fact, over the long-term, this decision can be a make-or-break moment to preserve your design intent for years to come.

Proprietary Systems are Consistently Swapped

Most modern soap dispensing systems utilize proprietary soap cartridges—that is, systems that can only function with the manufacturer’s proprietary plastic soap cartridges or bottles. These cartridges typically are affixed to the dispenser beneath the washroom counter. Maintaining this system is somewhat labor-intensive for janitorial staff, who must reach and bend under the counter to change the cartridge. Over the lifetime of the product, this kind of maintenance can add up to hundreds of dollars in wasted labor costs.

Looking to support sustainability goals? Proprietary soap cartridge systems also result in excessive waste—each cartridge or bottle must be discarded once empty and cannot be refilled.

Finally, proprietary soap systems usually come with high-priced, multi-year consumables contracts, essentially locking facility owners into multi-year purchasing agreements.

For these reasons, proprietary systems are extremely prone to being replaced with other, less aesthetic products within just a few months of being installed—they’re simply too much trouble and too expensive for the facility to deal with. And when the dispenser goes, so does the lifetime of your integrated restroom aesthetic.

Non-Proprietary Systems Deliver Design Endurance

While proprietary soap systems limit purchasing flexibility for facilities and contribute to additional labor costs and post-consumer waste, non-proprietary soap dispensing systems are low maintenance for the owner—meaning your design is much more likely to endure.

First, they allow facilities to use any soap type that is compatible with the dispenser, be it a liquid or foam variety. In fact, the use of bulk jugs of non-proprietary soap can facilitate as much as 80% cost savings on soap compared to proprietary cartridges or bottles; thus, it’s also a more sustainable option, resulting in up to a 57% reduction in post-consumer waste.

In addition, some newer non-proprietary dispensing systems feature top-fill functionality, allowing janitorial staff to refill the dispenser through a convenient spout. With non-proprietary, open systems, maintenance staff can work more efficiently and comfortably, spending considerably less time bending beneath counters.

To further improve long-term cost and labor savings for non-proprietary dispensing solutions, utilize a foam soap system (whether automatic or manual), which can facilitate as much as 15% water savings compared to liquid. This adds yet another incentive for facilities to turn away proprietary soap companies and maintain your specified product for years to come.

The economical, sustainable benefits of non-proprietary systems increase the likelihood that the owner will stick with your specification, refilling and maintaining as-needed.

The Deep Scrub

The average American worker spends 40 hours per year in their workplace’s restroom—so when you conceptualize a restroom design, it’s within everyone’s best interest that you make it last.

Don’t break your clients’ bank and compromise your design intent with a restrictive soap dispensing system. Get it right the first time and don’t let your intent get scrubbed.

Return to the Bobrick Academy soon for our upcoming blog on liquid soap vs. foam soap!

CONTACT A REP
Consult with a Bobrick architectural rep to learn more about specifying a non-proprietary soap dispensing system like Bobrick’s new B-823 manual foam soap dispenser.
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Learn Key Concepts of Accessibility

A glossary of key terms in accessible restroom design

Public restrooms are one of the most critical building amenities, and, as such, they must accommodate a wide range of human abilities and disabilities. The needs of a person using a wheelchair and the space the wheelchair dictates special considerations in terms of clear floor space, paths of travel and reach ranges of users. While the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design are primarily intended to benefit people with disabilities, accessible design also benefits a wide range of users such as people with temporary health problems, older people, and people with children. 

Although every project is different, here are some of the key terms and concepts you’ll need to understand when striving for compliance with ADA, as well as 2009 ICC/ANSI standards. 

Note: This glossary does not constitute a comprehensive guide to ADA, ICC or ANSI compliance—for complete information, we invite you to download our AEC Daily Continuing Education course, A Planning Guide for Accessible Restrooms, and review full ADA, ICC/ANSI standards and local building codes. 

Baby Changing Stations
While not required by accessibility standards, baby changing stations are widely regarded as an important or even essential feature in many facilities, particularly those facilities that serve families.

Bathing Facilities
Accessible bathing facilities for people with disabilities are required in a wide variety of buildings, including hotels, athletic clubs, school gymnasiums and dormitories, parks and campgrounds, long-term care facilities, and hospitals.

Child Protection Seats 
Child protection seats are often used in public restrooms to provide a safe, secure and convenient location for children weighing up to 50 lbs. to rest while parents tend to siblings and other matters. 

Children’s Reach Ranges
When designing restrooms primarily for children’s use, it is best practice to specify reach ranges that are appropriate for the specific age group for which you are designing.

Clear Floor Space 
To adhere to ADA standards, several key areas of the restroom must include clear floor space that accommodates a single wheelchair of at least 30” by 48”.

Combination Tub/Shower Unit Grab Bars
Combination tub and shower units must have horizontal grab bars mounted at the foot of the tub, on the back wall, at the head of the tub and a vertical grab bar on the control wall. 

Controls & Operating Mechanisms 
Controls and operating mechanisms for faucets, toilets, and restroom accessories must comply with ADA standards for controls and operable parts such as push buttons, valves, knobs, and levers, requiring less than 5 lbs. of force to operate with one hand, without grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.

Disposals
Sanitary napkin disposals are recommended in all women’s toilet compartments. They should be within reach from a sitting position and mounted below grab bars.

Doors
Doors must swing into the minimum required clear floor space of toilet compartments (56” by 60”) and be self-closing. Door pull hardware must be installed on both sides of the door near the latch. 

Feminine Product Vendors 
Vendors with push-button operation mechanisms that are activated with less than 5 lbs. of force are recommended for universally designed, accessible women’s restrooms.

Grab Bars
Grab bars are required for all toilet compartments to ensure safety for disabled, obese and/or individuals with mobility issues. 

Leading Edges
Restroom accessories with leading edges should have a maximum of 4” protrusion from the wall, at a height between 27” and 80” above the floor.

Left- and Right-Hand Use of Fixtures
Some people with disabilities can only use certain features of fixtures and accessories if they can approach them from the left or right side—thus, allow space on both sides of fixtures and accessories, wherever possible. 

Mirrors 
Mirrors located above lavatories or countertops must be installed with the bottom edge of the reflecting surface 40″ maximum above the finish floor. 

Mounting Heights
People with disabilities may have limited ability to reach for key fixtures—thus, most accessories must be installed in accordance with ADA minimum mounting height requirements to ensure usability. 

Paper Towel Dispensers, Waste Receptacles & Hand Dryers
Paper towel dispensers, waste receptacles and warm air hand dryers should be conveniently located in areas that are accessible to people using wheelchairs, preferably adjacent to an accessible lavatory.

Reach Depth
2009 ICC/ANSI standards require a maximum reach depth of 11” for soap dispenser controls, as well as faucet and paper towel dispenser outlets. 

Roll-In Shower Compartments
Roll-in shower compartments are ideal amenities for all users, including individuals who use a castered shower chair for bathing.

Shower Grab Bars
Shower grab bars must be installed in all accessible bathing facilities.

Shower Seats
Permanent or folding shower seats are now required by the 2009 ICC/ANSI standards for both roll-in and transfer shower compartments. 

Soap Dispensers
Soap dispensers installed over lavatories must be mounted so that push buttons or operable parts meet ADA compliant reach range requirements of between 44” and 48” maximum above the floor. 

Toe Clearance
Toe clearance of 9″ minimum above the finish floor is required under the front and one side of all accessible toilet compartments.

Toilet Compartments
Accessible toilet compartments are required in all public restrooms. ADA standards outline two basic toilet compartment designs: the wheelchair accessible toilet compartment and the ambulatory accessible toilet compartment. A third variant is the large wheelchair accessible toilet compartment.

Toilet Tissue Dispensers
Roll toilet tissue dispensers that allow continuous paper flow are required in all accessible toilet compartments. Dispensers that control continuous paper delivery should not be used. 

Toilets
Toilets with undercut bowls are recommended for all accessible restrooms. Flush controls such as levers must comply with ADA standards for controls and operable parts and reach range requirements. In wheelchair accessible toilet compartments, flush controls must be located on the open side of the toilet. 

Transfer Shower Compartments
Transfer shower compartments are the most common type of individual shower compartment used to accommodate people with disabilities.

Turning Spaces
Accessible restrooms must accommodate adequate wheelchair turning space of either a 60” circular space or a T-shaped turning space with a 60” square minimum and arms and base minimum of 36” wide. 

Universal Design
A universal design approach ensures maximum accessibility to products, spaces and building elements for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Urinals
Urinals, where provided, should include at least one wall-hung or stall type urinal installed with the rim 17″ maximum above the finish floor.

TAKE THE CEU COURSE
Earn an AIA/CES Learning credit, with Bobrick’s Planning Guide for Accessible Restrooms.
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Solutions for a Multigenerational Market

Recent demographic and social trends have increased demand for multigenerational design in the commercial building environment, and the restroom offers many opportunities for designers to cater to a full spectrum of generational challenges.

Rising demand for accessible design, family-friendly amenities, hygiene, and privacy all place the onus on architects and specifiers to provide solutions that better serve an increasingly diverse range of restroom patrons. Multigenerational solutions are not just good manners—they are also good business.

Note: This infographic does not constitute a comprehensive guide to ADA, ICC or ANSI compliance—for complete information, we invite you to download our The Continuing Architect course, Multigenerational Public Restroom Design and review full ADA, ICC/ANSI standards and local building codes.

Take the CEU Course
Earn an AIA/CES Learning credit with Bobrick’s course, Multigenerational Public Restroom Design.
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How to Choose a Toilet Partition Material

Today’s toilet partition systems are available with a nearly limitless selection of design options and configurations. From finishes to privacy features and hardware to mounting options, architects and designers have a wide variety of options available to meet demanding project requirements.

One of the most critical decisions to make is the choice of material. A toilet partition system’s material can impact:

  • The durability of a partition system and its warranty
  • A system’s ability to meet critical codes and requirements
  • Its resistance to graffiti and scratching
  • How the partition system is cleaned and maintained

…and much more. Each partition material has unique advantages and disadvantages, depending on the building application. Before specifying a partition material, review not only these considerations but also our Continuing Education course, Specifying Code-Compliant Toilet Partitions on AECDaily.

Fire Code Considerations

In the United States, model codes and standards pertaining to fire safety and construction are regulated by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). While not mandatory until adopted by city, county, state, and federal government jurisdictions, adherence to these codes is often critical, as many major corporations require compliance regardless of governmental policy.

Most relevant to the specification of partitions today are the International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, and NFPA 1, Fire Code. As of 2006, the model codes written by both ICC and NFPA clearly regulate toilet room privacy partitions as an interior finish. This is an important distinction—in recent years, some jurisdictions have interpreted fire and building code requirements for interior finish as being unrelated to restroom privacy partitions. Although these standards are not currently regulation or law in several jurisdictions, prudent architects and specifiers should adhere to them.

Architects, interior designers and specifiers should always request complete ASTM E84, UL 723, or NFPA 286 room-corner test compliance documents from HPL, CL, and SCRC toilet partition manufacturers. It is also important to insist on unmodified NFPA 286 room-corner test compliance documentation from PP and HDPE toilet partition manufacturers prior to specification or purchase.

Building Type Considerations

The building type can help form a baseline for choosing a partition material, depending on whether the facility is prestige, standard-use, or heavy-traffic.

Prestige Buildings
Corporate headquarters, class-A office projects, civic centers & major universities

  • Moderate-low traffic
  • Minimal use and abuse
  • Architectural design excellence, quality materials and equipment

Standard-Use Buildings
Commercial office facilities, healthcare centers, hospitality projects & manufacturing plants

  • Moderate-heavy traffic
  • Moderate-heavy vandalism
  • Specification typically price-driven

Heavy Traffic Buildings
K–12 schools, shopping malls, amusement and recreation facilities & transportation centers

  • Heavy traffic
  • Possible high incidence of vandalism
Selecting a Material

Each partition material has unique advantages and disadvantages, dependent on the building application.

Solid Color Reinforced Composite (SCRC)

  • Homogeneous color
  • Hard, yet repairable material; gouges/scratches can be sanded out
  • Water resistant; can be “hosed down” for cleaning
  • Surface is highly resistant to graffiti, scratches, dents and water damage
  • Can achieve ICC class-B interior wall finish classification
  • 25-year warranty

High-Pressure Laminate (HPL)

  • Extensive color and pattern options
  • Improved graffiti, scratch, and dent resistance (although deep scratches can expose dark kraft paper, which may absorb odors and/or swell when exposed to excessive moisture)
  • Visible brown or black edges
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Can obtain a class-B interior wall finish classification from the IBC
  • Special laminates may increase costs and lead time
  • Limited warranty

Compact Laminate (CL)

  • Water-resistant and can be “hosed down” for cleaning
  • Dent-, scratch-, and graffiti-resistant
  • Available in a wide variety of colors
  • Can achieve ICC class-A or B interior wall finish classification

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

  • Homogeneous color, which allows for gouges and scratches to simply be sanded out.
  • Water-resistant for easy cleaning
  • High recycled content
  • Extended warrant
  • Graffiti tends to “ghost” into HDPE and cannot be fully removed
  • Softest of the materials; can easily be scratched and dented

Painted Metal & Stainless Steel

  • Wide availability and low cost—stainless steel is typically costlier
  • Qualify as class-A interior wall finishes under the IBC
  • More prone to rusting, dents, scratches, and odor absorption than other options
  • Painted metal and stainless steel partitions typically have a limited warranty
  • Graffiti is also more difficult to remove from painted metal partitions

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