We're often asked for the Pros and Cons of Laminate vs Wood vs Steel Athletic Training Room and Physical Therapy tables. This article presents the pros and cons of laminate vs wood vs steel so that you can make the best determination for your budget and your setting.

If you're considering laminate - we've installed at lot of Athletic Training rooms in laminate and they still look great years down the road. We've also installed a few rooms where within a few years the tables seemed to showed a lot of wear and tear.

Much of it boils down to how you, your staff and your athletes/patients treat your equipment. However - there are some distinct differences between the different materials that you should consider as you prepare for your next remodel.

 

LAMINATE

Hausmann Laminate

Athletic Edge Laminate

 

Laminate Tables & Cabinets: 

Manufacturers: Hausmann ProTeam & Athletic Edge

Pros

  • Least expensive option
  • Wide variety of laminates to choose from

Cons

  • When Laminate chips or breaks it’s difficult to repair
  • Exposure to Water can cause the laminate to retain water in the particle board
  • Short warranty period of 3 years (ProTeam & Athletic Edge)
  • Heavier than wood and steel.

WOOD

Athletic Edge Wood

Bailey Manufacturing Wood

 

Wood Tables & Cabinets:

Manufacturers: Athletic Edge & Bailey Manufacturing

Pros

  • Longer warranty period of 5 years (Athletic Edge & Bailey)
  • More durable than laminate
  • Does not retain moisture
  • Lighter weight than laminate

Cons

  • Limited Stain Selection (Walnut, Oak, Cherry)
  • Fewer customization options
  • 20-25% more expensive than laminate

STEEL

Athletic Edge Steel

Impact Steel

 

Steel & Aluminum Tables & Cabinets:

Manufacturers: Athletic Edge & Impact Athletic

Pros

  • Longest warranty period of 5-10 years (Impact Athletic & Athletic Edge)
  • Powder coated finish can be touched up with a paint brush
  • Highly customizable with colors and logos
  • Lighter weight than both steel and aluminum
  • Not prone to mold growth
  • Durable in wet conditions

Cons

  • Twice the price of laminate and 40-50% more than wood

In summary, there's always a trade off when you're looking at less expensive tables. We encourage you to think about your setting and what would make the most sense for you.

We stand ready in any event to provide 3D designs and competitive quoting. If you're building a new room or remodeling and old one, please consider Miotech Sports Medicine in your next project.

You can email us at info@miotech.net or call our office at (517) 272-1940 to setup a free consultation.


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