Laboratory Furniture FAQs
At LOC Scientific, we get frequent questions about lab design, materials, installation, and laboratory furniture. Our goal is not only to provide the products you need for your lab, but also to help educate you about different materials and their ideal uses. Here are a few key questions we’ve answered recently.
What are the different material options for my cabinets? Metal, Wood, Plastic, Laminate, Stainless Steel, Polypropylene, Phenolic
What is the difference between the different materials?
o Metal: Very cost-effective and can take more abuse. This is used in close to 80% of the commercial market.
o Wood: Slightly more in price than the metal. It has the warmest feeling when walking into a new lab, but it has a lower life span because it can’t take a lot of abuse without showing. This is used in 80% of the higher education market
o Plastic Laminate: One of the lowest cost options, but has the lowest life span. Even with Chemical resistant finished it has the lowest tolerance to abuse. P-Lam is typically seen in the K-12 market (Typically not sold or recommended by LOC)
o Stainless Steel: Very Expensive. This has a good life span and tolerance to abuse. Stainless steel is typically seen in hospitals, morgues, or labs working with blood/biological agents
o Polypropylene: Very Expensive. This has a good life span and tolerance to abuse. This is mainly seen in areas with high concentrations of acids. Polypro is typically specified by a customer and rarely recommended by us due to other materials that are less expensive but have the same resistance.
o Phenolic: Pricing is between wood and Stainless. This has a good life span and high tolerance to abuse. Very good for areas where rusting can be a problem (labs by the ocean where they like to leave windows open, water labs), areas with high concentrations of acids,
What is the average life span for new lab furniture? 10-15 years, depending on housekeeping. Labs with very good housekeeping can last upwards of 20-25 years (this is rare, though)
What is the average cost of a lab? There are many things that factor into pricing:
o The type of cabinets you chose.
o The size of your lab.
o The importance of drawers vs. drawers in your cabinets.
o If you need a fume hood, and if so, how many?
o What services are needed in your lab?
What is the average lead time for new lab furniture? 4-6 weeks is typical for fabrication. In the summer months, this usually goes up to 6-8 weeks.
Can I or my maintenance staff install my new lab? It is usually recommended that you use a professional to install your new lab, but LOC can provide you with installation guides for installing your new lab furniture.
Do you have standard bench configurations? Since every lab is different, we do not have standard bench configurations. LOC works closely with our customers to provide assistance in choosing cabinet material, room layout, and specific cabinet configurations. By working closely with our customers, the end result is a lab that is functional, stylish, and catered to your specific needs.