Bathroom Design Trends in Education

While the programming and modernization of schools and curriculum continues to change, school bathrooms have stayed the same. However, there has been an increased interest in changing the conventional layout of what is commonly referred to as the "gang-style" bathroom.

Specifically, completely enclosed toilet rooms are becoming more popular in the education market versus the traditional toilet partition, placing increased privacy, safety and comfort as top priority. But as school districts continue to refresh their bathroom construction, other commercial buildings are also beginning to question, "what should a public restroom look like?"

The time is overdue to reflect on what could become the new standard and code for all commercial bathrooms moving forward, and the education industry could be one of the first affected.

The 3 major systems an architect must consider in their specifications for this new bathroom design include:

• Signage
• Solid Surfaces
• Wall Protection

Unlike other manufacturers with simple, drop-shipped bathroom signs, Inpro can create your school’s customized restroom pictogram on a sign that matches your school colors or your bathroom’s design aesthetic in three different materials.

Our Rigid Vinyl is made from the same material as our Wall Protection, providing durability and a perfect match between signs and door + wall products. The letters, braille and design are individually applied to the sign, making it a two-piece construction available in one standard thickness.

• Colors: Woodgrains, Patterns, Metallics + Solid Colors
• Custom Imagery: Yes

Photopolymer is a UV sensitive material that, when exposed to UV light, creates a one-piece sign. This means that the sign has integral text and braille with the sign face, adding reliability and vandal resistance. It comes in multiple thicknesses and can be painted any color. Photopolymer can also be bonded to exterior grade aluminum for outdoor signage.

• Colors: Standard Solid Colors, Custom Solid Colors, Text Colors/Woodgrains
• Vandal Resistant Text
• One-piece construction
• Custom Imagery: Yes

Acrylic signage with raised characters is a highly specified sign production method. The non-glare acrylic material is sub-surface painted or printed with applied tactile text and Grade 2 braille for ADA compliance. With several standard sign designs, numerous text color options and an almost endless selection of colors to choose from, our Applied Acrylic signs can be designed to match any interior aesthetic.

• Colors: Standard Solid Colors, Custom Solid Colors, Text Colors/Woodgrains
• Vandal Resistant Text
• One-piece construction
• Custom Imagery: Yes

However, another concern designer's face regarding bathrooms is cleanliness. Cleaning equipment will need to reach corners and accommodate the many uses of a restroom for students. Because of this, a durable, clean solid surface is crucial. Prism™ Solid Surface has antimicrobial properties, and is an easy-to-install solid surface that does not support the growth of mold, mildew and odor causing bacteria. With enclosed rooms, designers can specify Prism® in and even outside the toilet rooms.

Inpro customers using Prism™ are also able to customize the panel systems by taking advantage of our decorative routing options that mimic the look of tile, without the hassle of grout. The inconspicuous seams and non-porous surface make it a space that is easy to clean, saving time and money with your school's janitorial staff. Custodians are also able to renew the finish and remove vandalism with sanding and buffing, instead of having to replace panels during school breaks.

The walls of your new bathroom need to have a level of resiliency and cleaning product durability that can withstand a commercial bathroom environment. Prism™ Solid Surface also comes in Wall Protection, provides easy to work with, industrial-strength wall protection you can count on to protect the most sensitive spaces in your building. Continuum™ is also NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) Certified for Splash Zones. NSF certifies products that maintain the strictest standards for public health organizations.

• Meets the most rigorous standards and criteria of chemical emissions as prescribed by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.
• National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified for splash zones.
• Class 1A Fire Rated.
• Independently tested to withstand greater impact resistance than leading brands (izod impact, notched test).
• Can be hard seamed to minimize areas for dirt to hide.
• Wavy edge option: Unique s-curve edge creates a flush seam as two panels are brought together.
• Available with eased, radius, or beveled edges (additional costs may apply).
• 10 year limited warranty
• Provide a cohesive appearance with available accessories including corner molding, batten strips and perimeter trim.