Powder-coated mild steel
The default UK locker material. Best strength-to-cost ratio. 15–20 year service life in dry environments. Vulnerable to humidity (rust at fixings within 5–8 years in pool changing). Available in the widest range of stock colours, anti-bacterial coatings and configurations. Recyclable at end of life.
- Lowest cost per compartment (typically £80–£200)
- Widest configuration & colour range
- Avoid in pool, spa and steam environments
Solid grade laminate (SGL)
Compact phenolic panel, 12–13mm thick. Effectively unaffected by water, steam and bleach. Premium finish — readable as architectural joinery, not utility kit. 30+ year service life in wet environments. Cost is roughly 1.8–2.5x equivalent steel, but whole-life cost wins in any wet or premium environment.
- Premium architectural finishes (timber, stone, solid)
- Lifetime water resistance
- Best fit for premium gyms, spas, hotels & exec offices
Solid HDPE plastic
12mm through-coloured plastic. Indestructible in water, salt and UV. Ideal for outdoor, marine and heavy wet environments. Limited finish range vs SGL — solid colours only, no timber-effect. Cost is comparable to mid-spec steel but wet-environment lifespan is unmatched.
- Lifetime guarantee against water damage
- Through-coloured — scratches don't show substrate
- Best for pools, splash parks, marine, outdoor
MFC (melamine-faced chipboard)
Common in budget office lockers. 18mm chipboard with a melamine surface. Looks acceptable in a dry office but fails fast at any moisture exposure — edges swell and delaminate. Lowest upfront cost but shortest service life. We only recommend MFC for short-term, dry, low-traffic deployments where capital is the only constraint.
How to choose
Dry indoor, school or office: steel is the right answer 90% of the time. Premium dry — exec floor, hotel, members' club: laminate. Wet (changing rooms, leisure): laminate or plastic depending on humidity intensity. Heavy wet, outdoor or salt: plastic. We're happy to walk through your specific site conditions and recommend a single material — or a hybrid spec where different zones use different materials.