Paper Towel Dispensers

About Towel Dispensers

Hand towel dispensers are an essential item for any office bathroom or commercial kitchen. They do what the name suggests — dispense paper towels for bathroom-goers. Due to excessive usage and misuse, these dispensers need to be made to last and survive. 

For instance, a towel dispenser in a football stadium restroom may suffer the wrath of angry or excited fans. Therefore, they need to be strategically placed for easy access and out of harm's way. However, it is essential to remember that the mounting style, the type of towels, and the mechanism of the dispensers can affect how the towels are stored, how they're used, and how often they need refilling.

Installation

Firstly, it is essential to determine the position where it is to be installed. After that, the installation spot should be marked, and the holes should be aptly drilled at the relevant pre-made points. Furthermore, if it is to be mounted on a wall, fasteners should be attached. As surprising as it may sound, installing a dispenser is much easier than putting up hand towel holders!

Types

Paper towel dispenser types vary by intended use and functionality. A commercial paper towel dispenser would generally be automatic and wall-mounted, while a hand towel dispenser intended for personal use in homes could be recessed and manual. Here are the most commonly found types:

Autocut Dispensers

Autocut models allow users to tear their paper towels according to the length they desire. This results in less paper wastage as users only use the amount of paper towels they need. These dispenser models are also cheaper than automatic dispensers and are most suited for public washrooms with a lot of traffic.

Automatic Dispensers

Automatic paper hand towel dispensers are most suited for hospitals, restaurants, coffee shops, and homes. They are more hygienic than manual dispensers since users do not have to touch them, reducing the likelihood of bacteria transmission. Compared to jet-air hand dryers, automatic dispensers are also more hygienic.

Wall-mounted

Surface-mounted hand towel dispensers are the best option for smaller bathrooms with a lack of space. Mounted options clear up space on the counter and allow easy access to towels close to the sink. Furthermore, these dispensers can even be installed alongside wall-mounted soap dispensers and sensor taps for personal use.

Recessed

Recessed paper towel dispensers are sleek and ideal for small spaces where bulky dispensers would seem out of place. On the other hand, wall-mounted dispensers are more suited for larger bathrooms. In addition, the recessed variants allow more flexibility in usage and can be moved from place to place.

Materials

When investing in a hand towel dispenser, it's essential to take the build material and the towel dispensing mechanism into consideration:

Stainless steel

Stainless steel dispensers are heavier, more expensive, and suited for public washrooms and large business establishments. They're more durable than plastic models, and their scratch-resistant finish does well to prevent any damage. As a result, they offer the best value for money.

Plastic

Plastic dispensers are more suited for smaller businesses, gyms, and bathrooms with low traffic. They're easily customizable, more affordable, and are straightforward to clean and maintain. However, they're not very durable. Having said that, replacement parts may be easier to find in the event of damage.

Folded dispensers

Sheet dispensers, or folded dispensers, allow users to pull out paper towels one by one. This style is ideal for smaller establishments that experience less traffic in the restroom. They're narrower than roll dispensers and can fit easily in smaller lavatories or individual toilet partitions. In addition, avoid wastage of paper as people are less likely to pull out large wads of paper towels. 

Roll dispensers

Roll paper towel dispensers are more suited for commercial toilets and urinals, which see a lot of traffic. They can accommodate larger rolls, so there is less likelihood of running out of paper, which can be a problem with sheet dispensers. They can also accommodate different sizes of paper rolls, offering greater flexibility in usage.

Other Considerations

In addition to the configuration of the towels and the mounting arrangement, a few other factors need to be considered when investing in a hand towel dispenser:

Z Fold Vs. C Fold

Autocut dispensers are further divided into Z-fold and C-fold models. The former allows only one sheet to be released simultaneously, while the latter allows users to tear paper towels per their requirements. Z-fold models are more cost-effective as they reduce paper wastage, and they're more suited for public restrooms in malls, service stations, and busy establishments. C-fold models are more personalized and suited for smaller establishments, such as a doctor's clinic.

Sizes

Smaller models are suitable for personal use in homes or limited-space establishments like clinics and restaurants. They are undoubtedly less expensive, take up less space, and are easier to clean. However, they need to be refilled more frequently. 

In contrast, larger dispenser models can hold more towels and serve more users without the need for refilling. They are easier to maintain, especially when several people need towels together, avoiding the risk of running out of towels when needed.

Care and Maintenance

Most dispensers require users to access a special compartment for refilling purposes. The key needs to be pushed into the slot and pushed down. This opens the cover, allowing users to insert new towels into the holder.