What is a Toilet Partition?

A toilet partition is the enclosure that surrounds most toilets in public bathrooms. It’s function is to provide privacy for the person using the bathroom stall. They can come in many different types and configurations, not to mention materials. In this blog post we will provide a breakdown of the different types, materials, configurations available both popular and unpopular. You’ve asked for what is a bathroom stall and we’re here to bring that to you! Read more below to learn about our bathroom stall definition.

Types

Standard: This is the kind you normally see in the United States, with a 12″ gap at the bottom and sightlines at the door edge.

European: These are basically little rooms, with a much smaller gap at the bottom ( for wheelchair foot movement ) but no sightline gaps at all. Most times the bathroom partitions connect to the ceiling however they don’t always, when they don’t they are much higher than standard US partitions.

Single use rooms: These are completely enclosed rooms, with no gaps or sightlines, however where you will see these most commonly are in one toilet restrooms where it’s more like a bathroom in your home than a public restroom.

Configurations

The configurations for each type of bathroom can vary as well. Mainly dependent on how much traffic the restroom will receive. Smaller restrooms normally have 3 toilet stalls ( 2 standard and 1 handicap ) and if it’s a men’s room will contain 1 or 2 urinals. However they can go up to 15 stalls on each side of the door ( for a high school football restroom ) it’s all related to how much traffic that specific restroom plans on having currently and in the future. Some for big venues like NASCAR Raceways have seen configurations of 66 stalls in one room. Yes, you heard that right, 66 toilet stalls in one restroom!

Standard: This type of stall is the most common aside from ada-handicap stalls.

ADA – handicap: Handicap stalls also known as ADA stalls are a requirement in all restrooms in the United States. Check out the requirements for building an ADA compliant bathroom here.

Alcove: Just means that one stall is larger and goes from one wall to the opposite wall, normally these are ADA-handicap stalls.

In-Corner: This just means that the stall is in a corner, mostly is for hardware reasons you need to define for.

Between Walls: This one can be confusing, but all this really means is a stall ( standard or ada-handicap ) is between two walls, again for hardware reasons.

Materials:

Bathroom partition material has come a long way, from the wooden structures, brick, glass, powder coated steel and solid plastic. The newer types of toilet partitions are more durable, waterproof in some cases and have more ability to customize for various locations.

Powder Coated Steel: These have a finish that never rusts or fades, the finish is a powder that sticks to the metal in a process called electrostatic and is cured under a heat source. Each piece contains welded corner seams and sturdy panels. Learn more about powder coated steel toilet partitions.

High Pressure Laminate: These are pieces of particle board sandwiched between laminate layers, bonded with resin and pressure (around 1,000 lbs. per square inch). Read about high pressure laminate toilet partitions.

Solid Plastic (HDPE): First of all, HDPE is non-porous. That means not only does it not absorb odor, but they are impenetrable to moisture. Panels that never peel or get mold and mildew, resulting in a cleaner, healthier bathroom environment. Consider solid plastic (HDPE) toilet partitions for your restroom.

Stainless Steel: Made from 91% recycled materials and comes with a #4 brushed finish that provides a smooth, enviable appearance for any facility it resides in. Additional finishes can be applied to the restroom partitions for enhanced damage resistance, including embossed and hybrid options. See stainless steel bathroom stall options.

Solid Phenolic: These stalls are made from layers of kraft paper that have been infused with resin under intense pressure. The resulting plastic panel is incredibly strong, yet still lightweight, and they are built to last a very long time. See more information on solid phenolic.

Glass: These partitions are seen on rare occasions and are often more commonly found overseas. They normally have a frosted glass finish to provide an extra layer of privacy and are more popularly accompanied by stainless steel bracing and hardware.

Wooden: While an older tried and true solution wooden toilet partitions aren’t the norm any longer. Due to their issues with moisture, fading and the fact they need to be either repainted or finished yearly, they’ve been replaced for the most part by longer lasting more economical solutions.

Options

No Sight Line: Will completely remove all gaps from around the doors and panels.

Max-Height: Will extend the doors and panels to be 72″ doors/panels, with a 4-5/16″ floor clearance.

Continuous Hinge: A hinge that is as long as the door is, used to help block the sightline and for aesthetics.

Continuous Channels: A channel that is able to fit the full length from the pilaster to the panel or panel to wall.

Vandal Resistant Hardware: Hardware that has special screws and bolts that can only be tightened and loosened using specialized bit.

Mounting Styles

Headrail Braced: Headrail braced has two points of attachment and has a 85″ max height to the top of the stile.

Floor Mounted: Floor Mounted has one point of attachment, a standard of 70″ to top of stile, a max height of 76 5/16″ to top of stile.

Ceiling Hung: Ceiling hung has one point of attachment and a max height of 120″.

Floor to Ceiling: Floor to Ceiling has two points of attachment and accommodates up to 120″ ceiling height.