The easiest and most trusted method of keeping personal items safe is through use of lockers. Everyone has valuables that they don't want to lose; and unless a locker system is readily available, most people will not risk misplacing their belongings. An appropriate locker system is the only sure way to instill confidence in your visitors. However, in order for a locker to be most effective, the proper locker system needs to be purchased. Lockers come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and styles-creating a diverse set of locker choices that is sure to meet any need. In the interest of creating the ideal locker system for your patrons, it is important that you familiarize yourself with all possible locker choices. Once this is done, you can feel confident in your preparation, and you will feel poised to make the right locker system purchase for yourself and your clients.

Lockers can be built using a variety of materials. Most lockers systems are made from steel; but you can also find lockers made from wood, laminate, or plastic. Each material has advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other options. Therefore, a close look at each choice would prove to be advantageous.

Most locker systems found in America are forged from steel or metal. Typically, steel is the least expensive material for lockers. Steel durability is determined by the gauge number. The smaller the gauge number, the stronger the steel is. For example, most standard steel lockers, or metal lockers, are built from 24-gauge steel or metal; where as most high strength steel lockers, or metal lockers, use a combination of 16-gauge and 18-gauge steel or metal. Furthermore, most locker doors used to be built from 16-gauge steel-but because the door withstands the most abuse, the 25% thicker 14-gauge steel has been recently implemented.

Usually, thicker steel is more expensive, so it is important to determine how strong you need your metal locker to be before you buy it. For example, if you're looking to supply lockers for a men's locker room at a high school or a college, you should buy the thickest lockers you can afford. After all, these lockers will be used year round for heavy school books, sporting equipment, and ritualistic head banging. Contrarily, if you are looking for a locker system for a work or office setting, thickness of steel should be the least of your concerns.

The focus of wooden lockers is visual appeal. Wooden lockers are not as strong as steel lockers, nor are they as versatile. However, wooden lockers offer beauty and sophistication that can't be found in any other material. Wooden lockers are perfect for areas were elegance is key and theft is of little concern, such as at private country clubs or golf courses. Wooden lockers come in a variety of finishes, including oak and cherry wood, making them an aesthetically perfect addition to any location. Wooden lockers are usually made to order; therefore, they can be made to your exact specificities but they take a bit longer to ship.

Laminate lockers can be purchased in a nearly limitless variety of colors, making them some of the most versatile lockers available. These lockers can match almost any school color, making them ideal for use as school or team lockers. These lockers can also be made to look like wood, meaning they can also be place in more upscale locations like country clubs or health spas. Though a large amount of water damage can eventually cause de-lamination; light water spills on these lockers won't cause rust, as it will on steel lockers.

It is impossible for rust to form on plastic; therefore, plastic lockers will not rust either. Furthermore, unlike laminate lockers, plastic lockers won't sustain any water damage at all. Due to this fact, plastic lockers are perfect for areas of high moisture-such as pool side lockers, shower lockers, or outdoor lockers. Plastic lockers are available in a multitude of colors, making them the perfect addition to any location. Also, plastic lockers are more forgiving against injury, making them great for use around small children.

Each person who uses a locker has slightly different goals. Some people have long garments that need to be hung-up when stored, wile others have smaller valuables that are ideally kept at eye level. There is a different locker system built to address each individual need and it your responsibility to make sure your locker system addresses the appropriate one.

The single-tier lockers are the most practical style of lockers available. They provide sufficient height to store full length clothing and the lockers that are 60" or taller include a hat shelf. As the most commonly used lockers, they are ideal for locker rooms, gyms, schools, public pools, water parks, amusement parks or anywhere else where ample storage would is the top priority. These lockers are as spacious as they are space-effective.

The double-tier lockers are perfect if substantial storage space is necessary, but hanging full length garments is not. Though these lockers are smaller than the single-tier, hanging of standard length clothing is still a possibility. The full two-tier unit is the same size as the single-tier lockers, but the number of compartments is doubled-making them as wide and as deep as the single-tier, but half the height. These lockers would be perfect to completely fill your facility, or are an excellent complement to the single-tier locker systems.

If storage space and locker space is at a premium, then the triple-tier lockers are made for you. Holding three lockers in the space of one single-tier; these lockers are large enough for some clothes to be hung in them, while still marinating its economical ability. Because these lockers are able to fit a substantial amount of materials for an increased number of users, they are perfect for use at schools-both in the halls and in the locker room

These box lockers are compact yet efficient. Fitting 6 individually latching lockers in the space of just one single-tier model-these lockers are too small for hanging up clothes, but the perfect size to store folded clothes or books. These lockers can be used in schools, office environments, gyms, or anywhere else that needs to provide a secure space for a large number of users.

Now that you have determined what size locker system you need, and what materials it is to be made from; you must now decide what kind of locks to use. All lockers can accept padlocks or combination locks. If you simply want your guests to use their own personal locks, you don't need to read this section. However, if you are responsible for supplying the locks for a large number of lockers, lock uniformity is key; and so is buying the most ideal lock for your personal situation.

There are two different types of combination locks: standard (padlocks) and built-in.

Standard combination locks are ideal for use at schools, because they can be randomly redistributed each year for increased safety. Most standard combination locks have multiple combination settings so the combination can be reset if necessary. Also, these locks come with a master key (key that opens all supplied locks) for administrative access. In extreme circumstances, standard combination locks can be cut off with bolt cutters without extensively damaging the locker. Built in combination locks are not as versatile as the standard model because they cannot be redistributed. Though these locks have multiple combination settings and can be opened with a master key, they cannot be reopened in any other way. This is true because forced entry will damage the locker just as much as it would damage the lock.

Like combination locks, key locks are also available in padlock and built-in models. However, these lockers should only be used by trusted, long-term guests. Though built-in key locks are the least expensive locking system, it is also the least reliable. If a key is lost, a master key is now the only way to access the locker. If the master key is also lost, the locker must be broken into in order to gain access. School administrators should avoid the use of these locks because it is likely that many students will lose the keys. Combination padlocks are the best fit for school use.

Lockers immediately add worth to their surroundings because they also add security. If someone has valued belongings that need to be safely kept for a period of time, they need a locker. If a locker isn't available, they will go somewhere that it is. Make sure you provide your guests, students and employees with a safe, clean place for their property; they will be happy that you did-and so will you!