A Buying Guide for Commercial Paper Towel Dispensers

Fixture Considerations

When outfitting a restroom, or a series of them, many considerations must be made with regard to the fixtures. In most cases, price is certainly an object particularly when multiple rest areas must be equipped. Often times, businesses and other public establishments will place some emphasis on the actual appearance of a paper roll dispenser, ensuring that bathroom coordinates do not clash with the building’s overall décor. The functionality of a unit should also be given thought, as should its durability and security values.

Shared bathrooms are found just about anywhere you can imagine, from public facilities offered in common areas such as parks or bus stations, to employee restrooms in places of business. The first step in deciding what type of dispenser is right for your location is to determine what type of traffic your rest areas will typically accommodate. Greater diversity among users and higher amounts of traffic may call for greater strength and durability in a unit; less expected use means you might be free to focus more on elements such as aesthetic value.

Another factor is automation. An automatic paper towel dispenser can provide optimal hygienic operation, eliminating the need for wet hands to come into direct contact with the unit repeatedly. Most of these types of dispensers will feed out new towels as one is removed, or may utilize motion sensors to control output. While this style typically can be a bit more costly, it can also provide an ideal experience for your patrons.

Balancing Cost and Functionality

While automatic options are usually designed with efficiency and battery life in mind, that type of expense still may not be ideal for every application. Additionally, a good commercial paper towel dispenser need not be high-tech in order to provide ideal hygienic functionality. Units which dispense folded single towels are usually designed similar to a typical tissue box when one towel is removed, another is made available by virtue of the interlocking folds. In most cases, this reduces the need for direct contact once again, although users will need to reach inside when towels are not dispensed properly.

Space and Storage Considerations

Depending on your location’s storage capabilities and budget for restroom supplies, you might consider the style of paper towel dispenser which uses rolls as opposed to stacks of folded towels. Check with suppliers to see which style offers the greatest savings in your area. As rolls of towels are usually more bulky, the space requirement for this type of unit is usually also greater. Keep this design aspect in mind, particularly if restroom wall space is limited.

The type of location will also dictate the need for better security or resilience against impact. Most modern dispensers feature replenishment access only with an appropriate key, which discourages theft and spares you wasted supplies. Beyond that, one should determine if it’s necessary to invest in the type of hand towel dispenser that will stand up to greater abuse. Many styles are available with metal or stainless steel casing, improving durability and potentially saving you the expense of replacing damaged fixtures down the line.

Space-Saving Mounting Options

Combination models can provide an excellent solution for smaller spaces, merging towel dispensing functionality with trash receptacles into a single unit. Not only can this be of benefit when mounting space is limited, but it also encourages greater cleanliness from patrons. Various products can be mounted flush, or recessed into the wall to expand walkways in cramped spaces. While this style of commercial paper towel dispenser is not always the cheapest, it does eliminate the need for purchasing and installing separate trash solutions.

Servicing and Maintenance Constraints

It is important to envision the average schedule for restroom servicing at your location. For locations which cannot be serviced as frequently, or for situations where time is very limited for such functions, it may be ideal to implement the type of dispenser which does not require frequent restocking. Often times, restroom attendants must focus on cleaning, and access to supplies is not always convenient. Many times, it is wise to outfit bathrooms with translucent paper towel dispensers, for easier recognition of dwindling supplies.

Visual Appeal

If you are outfitting restrooms which will be located in a high-end establishment, such as a fine dining restaurant, it may be important to weigh the visual impact of each type of dispenser. Conversely, rest facilities that will only be used by a small number of staff members in an office will probably not require the same level of thought when it comes to appearance. Decide on your ideal balance of price, functionality, and presentation when selecting a new unit.

Long-Term Reliability

A good commercial paper towel dispenser is one which will provide reliable service for years following its installation. Provided that you select an appropriate model for your particular application, your biggest concerns should be more in the way of cleaning and general maintenance of the unit, not replacement. Given that the purchase is one that is made so infrequently, it is crucial that you give the matter proper thought before coming to a final decision.

Remember to first evaluate any space limitations in your restrooms in order to narrow down your potential options. Determine your budget, with considerations made for any other fixtures or equipment which must also be obtained in order to properly outfit all rest facilities. Then with those constraints in mind, you must decide on the best combination of function and appearance to suit your location. A hand towel dispenser might be the type of fixture which routinely goes unnoticed, but in this case, blending into the background is very likely the ideal result.