Are you tired of wiping down surfaces all the time? As we begin to adjust to life with COVID-19 in it, we place more value on materials that contribute to a safe, sanitary and aesthetically pleasing environment.
The pandemic has us reconsidering not only the spaces we share but also the materials that are used. We are able to offer you a variety of materials for your project, whether that’s for your lockers, reception desks, pan, lab equipment, and more. Below is a list of these types of materials:
- TFL & HPL
- Antimicrobial laminates
- Copper-infused solid surfaces and laminates
- Antimicrobial Polymer Building Sheet
- Phenolic Resin Sheet
- Glass
- HDPE
- Non-Porous Solid Surface
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a heightened awareness of material selection. Spacesaver Storage Solutions is ready for this need. We are ready to meet your antimicrobial finish needs on your storage systems.
Antimicrobial Finishes
Antimicrobial products kill or slow the spread of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi such as mold and mildew. This is important in today’s world.
With customers asking about antimicrobial protection and the cleanability of surfaces, our goal is to:
- Provide clear and accurate information
- Offer non-porous, easy-to-clean materials that will withstand new cleaning protocols.
Smart Materials
We offer antimicrobial laminates, copper-infused laminate and solid-surfaces or phenolic material options. The three types of smart materials we offer are:
Wilsonart® HD®
Suitable for use on high-quality residential and commercial countertops, furniture, fixtures, and casework, Wilsonart® HD® not only includes Antimicrobial Protection, but also AEON™ Enhanced Scratch & Scuff Resistant Performance Technology.
ARAUCO InCopper® Antimicrobial Technology
ARAUCO announces that proprietary, InCopper® antimicrobial technology has been accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Antimicrobial Division for registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 3(c)(5); with EPA Registration Number 93650-1.
Wilsonart® Solid Surface
Wilsonart Solid Surface is highly resistant to impact fracturing and elevated temperatures. The material has very low moisture absorption, does not support fungal or bacterial growth, and is stain resistant.
Smart Materials may not be the entire answer for your covid-19 response.
In addition, a better solution would be to specify fabrics and finishes that can withstand the ever-evolving aggressive cleaning and disinfecting solutions over time, with minimal deterioration.
Antimicrobial Product Categories
EPA Registered Products
- Registered products have been tested and are proven to perform and protect public health
- Registered products can make specific performance claims (Ex. Kills 99.99% of staph)
Examples:
- Arauco’s Prism TFL– InCopper technology prevents the growth of microorganisms including bacteria, mold, and fungus, 90 color options including solids and woodgrains.
- EOScu Solid Surface– copper infused solid surface that kills bacteria, 2 color options
EPA Treated Articles
- Treated articles contain an EPA registered ingredient
- Treated articles only protect the product itself
- Treated articles cannot make any specific health or performance claims
Examples:
Wilsonart’s HD Laminates – antimicrobial protection, 45 options in woodgrains and natural stone patterns
Formica’s Infiniti Laminates – antimicrobial protection with super matte finish that resists fingerprints, 236 color options available
Meganite AcryMed Solid Surface – antimicrobial protection, 1 color option
The Materials we offer:
Laminates:
HPL – High Pressure Laminates
- Available in many colors, patterns, and textures
- Resists stains, moisture, and scratches
- Nonporous material
- Easy to clean, and withstands most cleaning practices
TFL – Thermally Fused Laminate or Melamine
- Available in many colors and textures
- Resists stains, moisture, and scratches
- Nonporous material
- Enhanced depth and clarity of woodgrains
Compact Laminate – Phenolic
- Available in many colors
- Increased impact resistance
- Nonporous material
- Resists water and humidity
Popular material choice for lockers and labs – Black exposed material edge
FENIX NTM Nanotech Matte Laminate
- Low reflectivity, extremely matte surface
- Anti-fingerprint
- Soft touch
- Thermal healing
- Heat and humidity resistant
- Scratch resistant
- Chemical resistant
- Enhanced anti-bacterial properties
- Hygienic and easy to clean
Other Materials Available:
HDPE
- UV, humidity, and water resistant
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- Nonporous material
- High-impact and scratch resistant
- Easy to fabricate
- Recyclable
- Available with antimicrobial protection
- Limited color options
Glass
Options include:
- Clear
- Frosted with etched back
- Frosted with interlayer
- Back painted white
- Back painted custom color match
Epoxy
- Popular choice for labs
- Counters are custom made to specific dimensions
- Extremely durable
- High gloss finish
- High level of chemical resistance
- Easy to clean
- Sinks are also available
- Heavy and difficult to modify if installation requires
- Suitable for high heat applications
Clean, safe and durable doesn’t mean you have to compromise design or aesthetics
Regardless of the materials, your custom solution will help play a role in creating a safer workspace
Through all of this, practices will change:
- What we do when we enter a building, or before we sit down at our workstation
- How our open office floor plans reconfigure for social distancing
We respond to these challenges by working with end users and designers to create new solutions
- Designing storage as open office space dividers
- Creating PPE stations for building entrances or throughout office floor plans
- Minimizing touch points through integration of touchless lock technology
Look for these new opportunities, and continue creative problem solving. Contact us today with any questions.
