When designing public facilities, it is advisable to install quality cubicle hardware that will stand the test of time and offer low maintenance, particularly when they are for use in public facilities that experience high volumes of traffic. Stuck for inspiration? Why not check out our top tips on how best to accomplish this in your facilities.

Consider Quality

Cubicle facilities can be expensive to furnish. While it may be tempting to look for the cheapest option available to you, do be sure that the product you are buying is of a good quality and suited to your requirements to ensure that it will stand the test of time.

Streamline Surfaces

Smooth surfaces are much easier to clean than uneven or shaped surfaces, as dirt can become trapped within the crevices. Where possible, consider installing streamline partitions, cubicle doors and drawers and cover any exposed pipework to avoid it collecting dust and dirt that may be awkward to keep clean.

Install Cubicle Legs

Cubicle legs help to ensure that no dirt becomes stuck on the underside or lower half of your cubicle partition, they also make it easy to clean the entire floor. For those who are wanting to optimise on privacy and cleanliness of facilities, there are even short legs available which can offer just 20mm clearance from the floor.

For more guidance on how to best set up your facilities, check out our previous blogs on Maintaining High Levels of Hygiene and Selecting Cubicle Hardware?

Hygiene is a big must for any public facilities. Dirty and unkept facilities are not only off-putting to your clientele but also a breeding ground for a host of bacteria and germs, so it is vitally important to keep your facilities clean to ensure your business makes a good overall impression.

Cleaning

Cleaning is paramount and it is advisable to compile a regular cleaning timetable to ensure nothing is missed throughout the day. Schedule cleaning times and specific tasks to ensure your facilities are in tip top shape and make sure that they are checked regularly to ensure cleaning is being completed to a high standard.

Toiletries

Ensure that you have a plentiful supply of toilet roll and soap available to your customers. There is nothing worse realising that there is no soap or paper towels in the dispenser having used facilities, so ensure that these are topped up regularly to maintain optimum hygiene levels.

Install Accessories

Cubicle accessories are often overlooked as non-essential items, but certain cubicle accessories like toilet roll holders can make a big impact on the overall levels of hygiene in your establishment as they keep the toilet roll elevated off the floor while also make it easy to reach.

For more details on how best to maintain your cubicles why not read our previous blogs, Keeping Facilities Up to Date and Selecting Cubicle Hardware?

There are a few additional requirements to consider when selecting cubicle hardware to install onto a Glass Door (as opposed to Compact Grade Laminate), as although the glass will have either been hardened or coated in a protective layer in preparation for its designed use, it is still naturally a more fragile material and so requires protective measures to be put into place to prevent breakage.

Glass Doors are Made to Order

It is worth noting that glass cubicle doors are typically manufactured following the purchase of cubicle hardware, as the glass needs to be drilled to the relevant product specification during the manufacturing process to minimise the risk of breakage on fitting, so be sure to take this into consideration before ordering!

Be Sure to Install Insulators

Insulators are used in areas where direct contact would usually be made with the surface of a door or partition, to ensure that any metal components do not make direct contact with the glass. For example, buffers are perhaps most commonly inserted behind the keep and nylon patch plates in conjunction with cubicle legs. It is advisable to check with your supplier if the insulators required are included with the products you have selected, as some products may be suitable for a number of materials and for this reason insulators may need to be ordered separately, to enable your cubicle hardware to be safely fitted onto a glass surface.

For an introduction to cubicle hardware why not check out our 4-part blog, starting with a guide on how to Install Cubicle Hardware?

With your cubicles coming together and much of the cubicle hardware fitted, now is the time to choose the cubicle locks and indicators along with accessories to finish your facilities.

Cubicle Locks

You will of course need a lock on your cubicle doors and thankfully there are a wide range of indicators bolts and cubicle lock keeps available to suit various requirements, from budget ranges to all-encompassing DDA compliant models. Most indicators also include an integral emergency coin release which sits on the outside of the door. This is an invaluable feature, enabling entry into the cubicle in the event of an emergency.

When fitting an indicator bolt to a new door you will also need to install a keep, as this is the part which keeps the bolt in place when slid into the locked position. Keeps are available in a number of different shapes and sizes and are typically sold separately to the indicator lock, enabling you to choose the best product to suit your requirements.

Lock keeps are available with an integral buffer but if your keep does not have this feature, don’t forget to install these separately as cubicle door buffers are an essential element which ensures that the keep sits in line with the indicator bolt and therefore enabling the door to be locked!

Cubicle Fittings

There are a multitude of cubicle fittings and accessories available to choose from when setting up a new cubicle, but perhaps most important to consider are toilet roll holders and coat hooks. Toilet roll holders are a standard user expectation, elevating the toilet roll from the floor providing hygienic facilities and enabling the toilet roll to be within easy reach of the user. Perhaps less commonly considered are coat hooks although they are invaluable for enabling personal belongings to be elevated from floor level within your cubicle.

For information on what you need to assemble your cubicles from scratch, check out parts 1-3 of our 4-part cubicle guide, 'Install Cubicle Hardware' , 'Cubicle Brackets and Headrail' and 'Cubicle Hinges and Leg Supports'.

Now you have chosen your cubicle brackets and headrail, you can look to choose your hinges and leg supports. At this point you will have everything you need to assemble your cubicles. But before you look to order these fittings, is also worth considering the height in which you’d like the partitions as cubicle legs are available in a variety of heights.

Cubicle Hinges

The first thing to establish when searching for cubicle hinges is the direction in which your cubicle door opens, as from this you will determine the handing you require. If you are looking at your door from a birds-eye view and the door opens clockwise you will require right-handed hinges. If it opens anticlockwise however, you will need left-handed hinges.

It is also important to consider the thickness of the board and overall weight of your door, to ensure that there is enough support to stabilise movement between the door and the pilaster. It is advisable to speak with your supplier to clarify the best product for your requirements, if necessary.

Most commonly used are gravity and sprung hinges and it is worth considering both to determine which will be most beneficial for your cubicles. Gravity hinges can be set to fall open or closed (as required) when the cubicle is unoccupied so that the cubicles can either appear open to indicate when the cubicle is out of use, or closed for a tidy and streamline finish.

Sprung hinges will also prompt the door to resume a closed position, but the tension on these is adjustable to enable a more bespoke closing speed. When fitting heavier doors, it is also worth noting that a sprung hinge pair should be fitted in conjunction with a single (companion) unsprung hinge in the centre to add support and ensure a smooth and steady closing action.

Cubicle Legs

Cubicle legs are a worthwhile investment as they elevate your partition from the floor, therefore providing invaluable protection from wear and tear and enabling the underside of your cubicle to be cleaned thoroughly and high levels of hygiene maintained.

Cubicle legs are available in various heights, some of which are adjustable. However perhaps most versatile are the modern short legs, which offer the best compromise in terms of reinforcing your partition, ensuring optimum privacy and easy-clean functionality.

Read part 4 'Cubicle Locks and Fittings' the last part of our 4-part blog for information on choosing the best cubicle locks and fittings!

After having read part 1, Install Cubicle Hardware and deciding upon the configuration of your cubicle, you can start looking into the hardware you will need to assemble your cubicles.

Cubicle Brackets

Once you have chosen your board you will then need to source suitable cubicle brackets in which to assemble your cubicles. Brackets are most commonly supplied for 13mm and 20mm partitions in either L-shaped or U-shaped format.

L-shaped brackets are typically recommended for fitting in end cubicles as they connect your board directly with the corner fixing surface, whereas U-shaped brackets are best suited to centre cubicles as they enable secure fitting on either side of the board. Once you have established which brackets to use, you then need to determine the quantity required.

Brackets should be fitted to the board at both the top and bottom of your cubicle, connecting your board to the rear wall and front pilaster on both sides, a further bracket can be fitted centrally on either side to reinforce the stability of the structure overall.

Cubicle Headrail

Headrail is an essential component when installing cubicles, it finishes the cubicle and provides the additional support for the partition. Cubicle headrail is commonly available in three and four metre lengths and offered in four main styles, all of which are screw fixed into position.

Perhaps most commonly used is Channel headrail. This is a u-shaped headrail that simply slides over the top of 13mm board and is top-fixed into position, leaving a tidy finish across the top of the cubicle.

For 20mm board however, Angle headrail is most commonly used. As the name suggests the underside of this headrail is fashioned into a right angle or ‘L’ section, which rests on top of your partition before being fixed into position with wood screws.

D-shaped headrail is a versatile alternative to the aforementioned headrail types, as it can be fitted in conjunction with either 13mm or 20mm board. It is similar to that of Angle as features an ‘L’ section flange on the underside of the headrail which is fixed to your partition with wood screws, but it also features a stylish dome-shaped exterior for an aesthetically pleasing finish.

For those installing a floating partition, for example to create a barrier between the bathroom door and urinals then box section can be used. This is fitted vertically by seating the box section headrail into a secure base therefore allowing the partition to be mounted against it.

Read part 3 'Cubicle Hinges and Leg Supports' of our 4-part blog for information on choosing the best hinges and leg supports for your cubicles!

Looking to install cubicle hardware and don’t know where to start? Then start here with part 1 of our 4 part guide to help you determine exactly what you need!

Partition

The first thing you need is a partition. Perhaps most commonly used is Compact Grade Laminate (CGL) which measures 13mm in thickness overall, therefore occupying minimal space. This medium is both cost-effective and offers a water-resistant finish, making CGL a fantastic choice for installing in wet areas such as shower cubicles. Melamine Faced Clipboard (MFG) is a thicker alternative to CGL, measuring 20mm in thickness overall and therefore offering a more substantial divide between cubicles, but is less efficient in wet areas than CGL. For those requiring a high-end solution for luxury facilities, solid grade laminate or contemporary glass partitions can be fitted in place of these.

Cubicle Hardware

It is important to establish the material of your partition before choosing cubicle hardware. Fittings are most commonly available in stainless steel and aluminium. First consider the purpose of your facilities, particularly when fitting your partition in wet areas containing showers or sinks as this will help you to determine the best material to choose for your fittings. In wet areas such as shower rooms, it is advisable to install grade 316 stainless steel as it offers a higher level of protection against the elements. Remember however that stainless steel is not water resistant and will still require maintaining despite the quality and grade of the steel you are using. Polished stainless steel finishes are often easier to maintain due to having a plain rather than textured surface, but can require regular polishing in areas of frequent use as finger marks can often be seen where the item has been handled. Aluminium also offers a high level of water resistance and is an ideal solution for those on a budget. For those fitting cubicle hardware onto a glass partition, you will need to ensure you are using suitable fittings that will sufficiently cushion the glass surface and protect the partition from breaking.

Read part 2 'Cubicle Brackets and Headrail' of our 4-part blog for information on choosing the best brackets and headrail for your cubicles!

Cubicle design has come a long way in recent years and with a wide in variety of choice available on the market, you can now create a truly bespoke and sophisticated finish. Gone are the days of plain white cubicle doors and basic cubicle hardware, so think outside the box to create a space you are proud of!

Overall Look

First consider the overall look you are planning to achieve. Are you looking to create a suave and sophisticated feel, or a fun and playful theme? Cubicle doors and partitions can act as a fantastic statement piece within your space, as they come in a wide variety of colours and finishes including frosted glass, wood effect and bright statement colours. Tiles are also a great way to incorporate a little texture and or colour into your room, so think carefully about how you wish to coordinate your cubicle doors with any tiles and accessories you may be installing into your space too.

Privacy

Next consider the desired height of your partition. You can opt for a full-length board offering complete privacy to your guest, but cubicle legs are also a popular choice to add an additional touch of design to your room. Cubicle legs are also a highly practical addition to your cubicle, as they increase the stability of your units and enable easy access for cleaning and maintenance. Short legs are also available, offering the best of both worlds as they protect your partition by elevating it from floor level and maintain an increased sense of privacy for your guest too!

Cubicle Fittings

Finally, it is important that you carefully consider your cubicle fittings. With a wide variety of cubicle indicator locks, cubicle hooks, taps and showers available on the market, there are a number of ways to add small finishing touches which make a big difference to achieving your desired finish. Also consider the practicality of the items you are purchasing. In wet area’s such as shower cubicles for example, it is advisable to install grade 316 stainless steel as it offers an increased resistance to water damage and if your facilities are better maintained they will stand the test of time.

Historically, leisure facilities were much more basic than we would have had in our homes, but in recent years they have become much more elaborate, rivalling those found in the average household and oozing style and sophistication. With health & fitness programmes becoming increasing popular, and a broad range of equipment and exercise classes being readily available at every leisure club, it is the facilities which really help your business to stand out among the competition.

Fear not! You do not need to undergo a complete renovation to give your facilities a makeover. See our top tips on revitalising your leisure facilities:

Update Cubicle Fittings

Toilet cubicles, shower cubicles and even changing rooms feature many items of cubicle hardware that often go forgotten about yet with frequent use will from time to time need replacing. Cubicle fittings, including indicator locks, brackets and coat hooks among other items are also a quick and budget friendly way to add a little sparkle and modernise your facilities.

Consider carefully the overall finish you are planning to achieve and do your research to ensure the products you are investing in fit with your requirements. It is best practice to use Grade 316 stainless steel products in wet areas as although they will still require maintaining, this particular grade of stainless steel is the least prone to corrosion.

Replace Worn Towels

If your leisure club offers complimentary towels, be sure to replace any that start to look worn or discoloured. A modern towel rail with a soft, plush towel hanging from it is a good indication of a premium leisure facility.

Cleanliness Is Key

Needless to say, the cleanliness of facilities is a large factor for a consumer to consider when signing up to a gym. The simplest way to ensure your facilities are kept looking pristine is to ensure they are maintained. When choosing cubicle hardware be sure to ask your supplier for maintenance tips or any specific instructions to ensure your premises looks its best at all times and cubicles stand the test of time for you too.

Selecting your cubicle hardware can be a difficult decision, but follow our quick and easy steps below to ensure you purchase all of the products you require for your cubicle doors. To begin with you’ll need to establish your requirements, check the layout and configuration or your cubicles, noting down how many or your cubicle doors are open inwards and open outwards along with whether the cubicles doors are flush with the partition or overlapping. You’ll also need to check the thickness of partition that has been used to construct you cubicle, usually 13mm or 20mm.

Ensure you have all of the items you need

Indicator Locks

An indicator lock or indicator bolt as its sometimes known is a cubicle locking mechanism with an indicator that displays if the cubicle is vacant or engaged.

Lock Keeps

A cubicle lock keep holds the indicator bolt in place when your door is locked. There is a wide range of lock keeps to select from depending on the thickness of the cubicle door, partition and whether your doors are flush or overlapping.

Rubber Buffers

Cubicle door buffers may be required for use alongside your keep on overlapping cubicle doors. Usually used in pairs buffers ensure the correct positioning of your indicator lock into the keep, whilst reduces the changes of finger trapping and stops the cubicle door banging shut.

Brackets

A combination or ‘L’ and ‘U’ cubicle brackets are used to fix the glass or laminated partitions together to form a cubicle.

Hinges

Cubicle hinges enable the door to be moved into an open and closed position. Depending on how you’d like your cubicle door to operate gravity, unsprung and sprung hinges are available.

Headrail

Cubicle headrail provides support for the cubicle partitions whilst finishes the top of the cubicle with a contemporary trim.

Cubicle Legs

Cubicle leg supports raise the partition from floor level whilst supporting their weight. Fixed or adjustable cubicle legs allow for the partition to be raised from 20mm to 180mm.

Coat Hooks

Cubicle coat hooks with built-in buffer help to avoid damage being caused to the partition and elevate clothing and valuables from floor level.

Toilet Roll Holders

A must in all toilet cubicles. Toilet roll holders are used to keep your toilet roll elevated from the floor and ensure it is within easy reach of the user.

Consider the conditions and configuration of your cubicles

For wet areas (for example a swimming pool facility or spa), we would advise the use of Grade 316 stainless steel cubicle fittings where possible as they provide the highest resistance to corrosion. Please note that you do still need to maintain your cubicle hardware regardless of the grade of stainless steel you choose. It is best to clean stainless steel products simply by using a soft damp cloth and then buff with a soft dry cloth to ensure no residue is remaining on the surface.

If you are fitting out disabled toilet cubicles or any other type of cubicle for disabled use then ensure that the cubicle hardware you fit is DDA compliant.

As cubicle configurations vary from one installation to the next you’ll no-doubt have a combination of left and right hand opening doors, make sure to check that the cubicle hinges you order will be handed in line with your requirements.

Finally check that all of the cubicle fittings you purchase are suitable for use with the thickness of partition you will be installing, standard thicknesses of cubicle partitions are 13mm & 20mm.