Taller, Wider, Better: How Oversized Restroom Partitions Are Elevating Commercial Restroom Design

Table Of Contents:

• What is the Standard Size of a Restroom Partition Door?
• What Qualifies as “Oversized” and Why They’re Preferable
  • More Privacy
  • A Bigger Statement
  • Less Prone to Damage
• Things to Keep in Mind When Considering Larger and Wider Partitions
  • Bathroom Measurements
  • Minding the Gap
  • ADA Compliant
• Go Big (or Go Home) with Custom Bathroom Partitions

Commercial restrooms are more than just functional spaces. They also play a significant role in shaping a customer’s perception of a business. As businesses seek to enhance customer experiences, an increasing number of business owners are investing in larger restroom doors.

So, why are taller and wider restroom doors suddenly all the rage? Read on to discover the benefits of oversized restroom partitions and learn about key considerations before making a choice.

What is the Standard Size of a Restroom Partition Door?

The standard size for a non-ADA-compliant restroom partition door is 24 inches wide and 58 inches high, while the standard stall size is 36 inches wide and 60 inches deep. These dimensions provide ample space for most people to use commercial restrooms comfortably while exiting and entering.

In commercial settings where business owners want to maximize floor space, these dimensions also allow for more stalls within a given area without compromising functionality.

What Qualifies as “Oversized” and Why They’re Preferable

As customers demand more from commercial bathrooms, oversized restroom partitions are rapidly becoming ubiquitous in hotels, restaurants, offices, malls, and other commercial spaces. These partitions are usually taller and wider than standard partitions. Here’s how the dimensions of oversized partitions compare to those of standard ones:

So, why are larger partitions becoming more popular? Here are reasons why oversized partitions are rapidly becoming the preferred option among savvy business owners looking to enhance the customer experience and keep clients coming back:

More Privacy

Customers want more bathroom privacy. According to a Bradley Corp survey, about three out of four adults said public restroom stalls don’t offer sufficient privacy. Meanwhile, slightly over half wanted the bathroom partition gaps around stall doors eliminated.

Traditional partitions provide some privacy, but many fall short due to floor and ceiling gaps. These gaps compromise privacy.

Combined with oversized doors, full-height restroom partitions eliminate gaps and sightlines, creating a more enclosed, inclusive, and private space. In high-traffic locations, upscale venues, and gender-neutral facilities where user discretion is paramount, oversized partitions can significantly improve the restroom experience.

A Bigger Statement

Modern restroom design isn’t simply focused on practicality. It’s also big on aesthetics. Regular restroom partitions can feel bare-bones and make a space feel nondescript.

In contrast, large bathroom partitions can transform your space, giving it a refined, luxurious, and exclusive feel, particularly those made from premium partition materials like stainless steel or phenolic core.

This quality makes oversized partitions ideal for commercial establishments seeking to maintain a classy brand identity and an elegant ambiance, such as high-end hotels and fine dining restaurants.

Less Prone to Damage

In places with high-volume traffic, such as large shopping malls, schools, airports, and concert venues, heavy restroom use can take a significant toll on the facilities. The constant influx of people can result in rapid wear and tear to your partitions if you don’t invest in durable partitions.

Tall bathroom stall doors are more resistant to vandalism, graffiti, and harsh cleaning agents, especially those made from durable materials such as powder-coated steel, solid plastic, and stainless steel. For instance, solid plastic is highly resistant to moisture, scratches, and graffiti, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.

Investing in high-quality, long-lasting partitions can preserve your business’s reputation and reduce maintenance costs, resulting in significant long-term cost savings.

Things to Keep in Mind When Considering Larger and Wider Partitions

Taller and wider bathroom partitions, particularly those made from quality materials, offer better privacy and a more polished look than standard partitions. They also last longer, making them great value for money.

However, there’s no one-size-fits-all oversized restroom partition suitable for all spaces. Depending on your available floor space and accessibility needs, certain partitions may be more suitable for your space than others. Bearing that in mind, consider these key factors when selecting oversized bathroom partitions:

Bathroom Measurements

Measuring your bathroom space accurately is crucial for selecting well-fitting oversized restroom partitions. When measuring your bathroom space, consider the length of your walls, ceiling height, stall width, and depth.

As you measure the stall depth, remember to measure the door opening width for the stall’s swinging door. Some restroom stall doors swing inward, so there needs to be ample space for the door to open inward without obstructing movement or hitting the toilet.

Taking precise length, height, and width measurements can help determine how many stalls can fit within your restroom layout and prevent you from ordering partitions that your space can’t accommodate. For instance, certain oversized partitions require more clearance. If you order them for your space, they can impede movement and make it difficult for users to enter and exit stalls.

To avoid this pitfall, consult a professional (like One Point Partitions) who can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure your commercial restroom installation proceeds without a hitch.

Minding the Gap

Standard restroom partitions often have large gaps below the door, compromising user privacy and comfort. It’s no wonder that nearly 50% of people want restroom doors that extend to the floor, according to a survey by Bradley Corp.

While oversized restroom partitions help reduce awkward side and overhead sightlines and gaps, they do eliminate bottom gaps. Here’s why many oversized bathroom partitions still include gaps under partition stalls, contrary to some people’s wishes:

• Better ventilation: Restrooms with fully enclosed stalls tend to provide limited air circulation, which can make them smell. Bathroom stalls with gaps at the base promote ventilation, minimizing foul odors.
• Easier to clean: Cleaning a fully enclosed restroom stall can feel like trying to retrieve an item from the crevices of a sofa. It can be quite difficult. In contrast, restroom partitions with a gap at the bottom are a breeze to clean. Janitors can mop or pressure wash them with minimal hassle, preventing germs from thriving.
• Emergency access: While fully enclosed stalls offer utmost privacy, they can jeopardize safety. If someone passes out in a fully enclosed stall, the issue may go unnoticed. If the same happens in a partition with a gap at the base, a passerby may notice the problem sooner and alert emergency responders. Then, when emergency responders arrive, they’ll be able to quickly access the restroom to retrieve the unconscious person without breaking down the door.
• Thwarts inappropriate behavior: Because people can peek into restroom partitions with space at the base, these partitions deter drug use, vandalism, spray tagging, and other frowned-upon activities.

The gap under bathroom partitions isn’t an embellishment. It’s included for these practical reasons.

ADA Compliant

Having accessible bathrooms in your facility is no longer simply a nice-to-have feature. It’s mandatory. Regardless of whether your restroom partitions are oversized or not, you must provide at least one bathroom stall that meets ADA compliance requirements. But what makes a restroom stall ADA-compliant?

According to the ADA guidelines, accessible commercial restroom stalls must be at least 60 inches wide. The distance from the back of the stall to the front of the stall when the door is shut must be at least 56 inches if the toilet is wall-mounted or 59 inches if it’s floor-mounted.

Additionally, the stall door must have a clear opening of at least 32 inches, allowing individuals using wheelchairs and other mobility aids to enter and exit the restroom comfortably.

While the ADA guidelines recommend that accessible stall doors swing outward to facilitate easier maneuvering for individuals using accessibility devices, the guidelines permit inward-swinging doors as long as they don’t impede wheelchair movement.

Complying with these ADA requirements will not only demonstrate your commitment to accessibility and inclusivity but also ensure that your organization meets its obligations. It can also help you avoid hefty noncompliance fines, saving your business thousands of dollars.

Go Big (or Go Home) with Custom Bathroom Partitions

If your existing partitions aren’t meeting your needs, it’s probably time to upgrade to oversized restroom partitions. Whether you’re managing a restaurant, gym, office building, or another commercial facility, investing in extra-wide toilet partitions can enhance user privacy and comfort.

And that’s not all. Large bathroom partitions are also less susceptible to damage, and they can give your establishment a facelift — a win-win for your business and customers.

Ready to make a big and bold statement with your next commercial restroom upgrade? At One Point Partitions, we offer an intuitive free quote builder that allows you to create your custom bathroom partition with just a few clicks. Try it now or call us to talk to one of our experts.