Athletic Training Room Furniture: Pros and Cons of Laminate vs Wood vs Steel
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.
Experience, Expertise and Excellent Support.