Blogs & News
- Category: Lockers & Storage
- DATE: August 21, 2026
Guide to
Different Types of Lockers
Many facilities have a need to provide secure storage of items. For example, schools need places for students to store their books and other supplies between classes. Gymnasiums should give users a place to put their street clothes and personal effects during workouts or sporting events. Police stations need solutions for storing critical evidence where there’s no risk of theft or tampering. Workplaces often need to give employees a place to keep outfits and sensitive items during their shifts.
In most cases, the common solution for all these requirements is a locker. However, there is a lot of variation within this seemingly simple category, and it’s important to choose the types of lockers that make the most sense for the specific application. Keeping police evidence in a typical school locker is inviting liability, for instance. Wooden lockers found in an upscale athletic locker room would not last long when used by high school students on a daily basis. Lockers with built-in combination locks might make more sense than those featuring card-based access in large-scale facilities with hundreds of employees.
Understanding all locker variations is important for achieving the functionality, security, and aesthetic value needed for a particular property. Below is more detail on types of lockers and where they are typically found.
Locker Types by Purpose and Function
- Corridor Lockers: One of the most basic types of lockers, these are designed to line hallways and corridors. They’re typically identical in terms of size and shape, and are most commonly found in schools, athletic facilities, and workplaces.
- Evidence Lockers: Intended for use in law enforcement and judicial workflows, these lockers are designed to accommodate items of varying sizes. These also may feature built-in refrigeration to protect temperature-sensitive evidence.
- Cubby Lockers: Athletic facilities tend to use cubby lockers that don’t have doors in locker room areas. These provide a dedicated space for athletes to suit up, and typically they’re used in spaces that are secured through other means.
- Smart Lockers: These feature electronically controlled locking mechanisms that are opened either with the use of an RFID card, a combination entered on an integrated keypad, or through NFC-enabled smartphone apps. Many membership-based gymnasiums, schools, and workplaces use these.
Common Materials Used to Construct Lockers
In addition to their form and function, lockers can vary a lot based on the materials used to build them. The most common materials are:
- Metal: By far the most common and traditional material for lockers is metal. This is because the durability and strength it provides makes lockers more secure and protects them against heavy-duty use. This is why metal lockers are common sights in schools, factories, and gyms where longevity and performance matter.
- Wood: The main benefit of wood when building lockers is the aesthetic value it brings. Wood offers a wide range of options in terms of customization, giving designers and architects a lot of versatility when creating a space. Wooden lockers are most often found in spas, offices, and boutique environments where durability and security are lesser priorities.
- Plastic: Because plastic never rusts or corrodes, it’s a popular choice for manufacturing lockers intended for high-humidity areas. These include swimming pools and outdoor athletic facilities. Plastic also offers lightweight construction and a number of color customization options.
How to Choose the Right Lockers for Your Space
Before choosing lockers, it’s important to understand the needs of the facility. First and foremost, begin by thinking about the nature of the items that will be stored. Larger items will need larger lockers, but spaces where users will be storing books or items carried by hand can use smaller lockers to save room and accommodate more users.
Another key consideration is the durability of the lockers. Because children and teenagers typically don’t use much care when storing or removing their items, it may be better to choose metal lockers in school environments. Likewise, industrial facilities may subject lockers to impacts, scratches, and other activity that can damage weaker materials.
How the lockers will be secured is another important factor in your decision. Electronic locks provide greater security but are more expensive. This means smart lockers may be overkill in certain environments. Built-in combination locks often are enough for many applications, but don’t provide the level of centralized control many facilities want. Unless you have a firm grasp on everything your facility needs, it’s usually best to work with an experienced supplier to help you make the right decision.
Taking the Next Steps
Having the right lockers for your space can be critical for helping people feel safe with their belongings and providing the functionality you need. H2I Group has extensive experience helping schools, athletic facilities, workplaces, and other properties find the storage solutions that work best for their requirements. We work closely with many of the top manufacturers in this space to deliver high-quality solutions built for longevity and performance. To learn more about our complete range of locker and storage solutions, reach out and speak with a member of our knowledgeable team today.
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