University bathrooms withstand some of the toughest conditions of any commercial facilities. From residence halls and recreation centers to academic buildings and student unions, these spaces endure constant traffic and heavy use. Understanding the most commonly used institutional bathroom materials can help universities make smarter decisions that reduce labor, downtime and total lifecycle cost.

As a university facilities manager, you have probably had many experiences with shower base issues. From leaking showers that cause water damage to mold growing on hard-to-clean bases, residence hall showers can be a source of aggravation. When researching materials, focus on the challenges commonly faced by your campus to find solutions. There are three aspects you should first evaluate to ensure you select the best material possible. This blog details how to determine which shower base material is the best choice for university bathrooms. 

Grout commonly poses a challenge for institutional and commercial showers. It can trap bacteria and moisture that turn into mold. Grout also requires a level of upkeep that is time consuming. Switching to grout-free shower walls helps to improve hygiene while reducing maintenance needs for commercial buildings.

If you’ve tackled a university bathroom renovation before, you know how quickly traditional materials like tile, metal and laminate start showing wear. Cracked grout. Chipped tiles. Dented stall doors. Grout that never truly looks clean.

University showers experience heavy use on a daily basis. With this level of traffic, universities need shower options that are durable, reliable and easy to install. Two popular choices for university showers are standard and custom Meridian Solid Surface® shower bases from Tower Industries.  

Standard shower bases are available in a variety of sizes and configurations. If your shower configuration does not match any of the standard sizes, Meridian Solid Surface® custom shower bases are the way to go. Give students the comfort and convenience of quality showers in your university’s residence halls with Meridian Solid Surface® standard and custom shower bases. 

Tower Industries unveiled our new booth at the ACUHO-I show in October 2024. The ACUHO-I trade show featured industry leaders in higher education housing facilities management. Tower Industries is revolutionizing living spaces in student residences with durable, easy-to-install, and customizable Meridian Solid Surface® shower and restroom solutions.

At the start of a new year, thoughts turn to updating and renovations. When planning a remodeling project, it is important to plan a construction budget. This can help you visualize how much you want to spend and which materials will stay within budget. By creating a budget, you can find ways to achieve your desired result without breaking the bank.Meridian Solid Surface® restroom products are a seamless, easy-to-clean choice that can fit into any budget.

Frank Shelton, Director of Housing Operations at Wake Forest University, discusses the impact of Meridian® Solid Surface products by Tower Industries. Discover how their choice of groutless, easy-to-maintain surfaces significantly improved the maintenance and aesthetics of campus facilities, ensuring durable, hygienic environments best equipped to handle intensive use. 

When it’s time to renovate an outdated residence hall or construct a new facility, the bathrooms are often the most complex portion of the project — but they also provide the most bang for the buck. This is true especially when outmoded (or even original) surfaces and fixtures need to be replaced.

When it comes to choosing a college, students have many factors to consider. While academics, campus location and extracurricular activities are often at the top of the list, there’s one surprising aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked: community bathrooms in residence halls. This 2019 study, published in the Family and Consumer Science Journal,states that the quality of community bathrooms can greatly impactstudent retention. Let’s explore more about how the quality of Meridian® Solid Surface materials can impact college choices in general.