Outdoor Lockers: Weatherproof Storage for External Locations

Outdoor lockers provide secure storage where belongings, clothing, equipment or personal items need to be kept outside the main building. They are used by schools, workplaces, sports facilities, leisure sites and other organisations where storage is required close to an outdoor activity, entrance or external staff area.

The important distinction is that an outdoor locker should be selected for the environmental conditions in which it will actually be installed. A locker described as suitable for outdoor use is not automatically completely waterproof, and conventional indoor lockers should not simply be moved outside without checking whether their materials, fixings and construction are appropriate.

This guide explains how to choose outdoor lockers in the UK, including materials, exposure to rain, siting, security, locker dimensions, installation and maintenance. If you are ready to compare products, view our outdoor plastic lockers.

Quick Answer: How Do You Choose Outdoor Lockers?

Choose outdoor lockers by first establishing how exposed the installation will be. Check whether the lockers will sit beneath a canopy, in a partially sheltered area or where they may receive direct rain. Then select a material designed for those conditions, provide a stable level base, consider surrounding drainage, choose a suitable lock and make sure the locker size fits the belongings being stored.

1. Identify whether the location is sheltered, partially exposed or directly exposed.
2. Choose a locker material specifically suitable for that environment.
3. Measure the items users need to store.
4. Confirm the required number of compartments.
5. Check the available floor space and access routes.
6. Provide a stable and level installation surface.
7. Consider rain, standing water and local drainage.
8. Select a lock appropriate for the users and level of supervision.
9. Check how the lockers will be joined, secured or stabilised.
10. Plan routine inspection and maintenance after installation.

Outdoor does not necessarily mean waterproof. Match the locker to its actual exposure and, where practical, use a canopy or other shelter to reduce direct rain and prolong service life.

Weather-Resistant vs Waterproof Lockers

The terms outdoor locker, weatherproof locker and waterproof locker are often used interchangeably when people search for external storage. They should not automatically be treated as meaning the same thing.

A weather-resistant locker uses materials and components suited to damp, humid or external environments. That does not necessarily mean that the locker forms a sealed enclosure capable of preventing water ingress during prolonged or wind-driven rain.

The eXtreme outdoor locker range supplied by Total Locker Service uses durable plastic construction and corrosion-resistant components, making it suitable for external storage applications. We describe these lockers as weather-resistant rather than fully waterproof. Where protection of the contents from water is particularly important, positioning beneath a canopy, shelter or other partially protected area is recommended.

Where Are Outdoor Lockers Used?

Outdoor lockers are useful where moving users back into a building simply to reach storage would be inconvenient or where external space is better suited to the activity.

• Schools and colleges: sports kit, bags and equipment near PE areas or external facilities.
• Sports clubs: personal belongings and equipment near pitches, courts and training areas.
• Leisure facilities: storage in sheltered external or semi-external areas.
• Workplaces: staff belongings, workwear or equipment near external work areas.
• Visitor attractions: temporary storage for users who need to leave bags or personal items securely.
• Cycle facilities: storage for smaller personal items, clothing or cycling equipment.
• Public facilities: secure storage where an indoor locker room is not practical.

The required compartment size should be determined by what will actually be stored. A small compartment may work for phones, wallets or personal items, while bags, coats, helmets and sports equipment require considerably more space.

For the wider process of choosing locker types and configurations, see our UK locker buying and selection guide.

Assess How Exposed the Lockers Will Be

Outdoor installations vary considerably. A locker positioned beneath a deep canopy faces different conditions from a locker standing in an open playground or exposed courtyard.

Location	Typical conditions	Planning priority
Sheltered external area	Outdoor temperature and humidity but limited direct rain	Material suitability, security and condensation
Partially exposed area	Occasional direct rain or wind-driven moisture	Weather-resistant construction, positioning and drainage
Open external area	Regular exposure to rain, sun and changing temperatures	Specialist outdoor material, stable base and careful siting
Coastal or demanding environment	Moisture plus potentially aggressive environmental conditions	Check all materials, fixings and lock components for suitability

Where the proposed installation is highly exposed, discuss the exact location before ordering. Small differences in shelter, orientation, local drainage and the items being stored can change the appropriate specification.

What Materials Are Best for Outdoor Lockers?

Locker material is one of the most important decisions for an external installation. Materials that perform well in a dry office, school corridor or staff room may not be suitable when exposed to moisture and changing outdoor conditions.

HDPE and Plastic Outdoor Lockers

Plastic locker construction avoids the conventional steel corrosion problem and is therefore particularly useful for damp, humid and external applications. The eXtreme outdoor locker range uses tough plastic construction with corrosion-resistant joining components.

• No conventional steel locker body to rust.
• Suitable for damp and weather-exposed environments when correctly positioned.
• Hard-wearing surfaces suited to frequent use.
• Modular units can be joined together.
• Different compartment heights can be selected around the items being stored.
• Key, hasp and coin-operated locking options are available within the current range.

See the current eXtreme outdoor plastic locker range for available configurations and current specifications.

Can Steel Lockers Be Used Outdoors?

Do not assume that a standard powder-coated steel locker is suitable for outdoor installation simply because steel is strong. Conventional commercial steel lockers are normally chosen for internal environments, and prolonged exposure to moisture can affect the cabinet, fixings and locking components if the product has not been designed for those conditions.

If a metal locker is being considered for a sheltered or unusual external application, confirm the manufacturer’s environmental specification first rather than relying on the material description alone.

For a wider comparison of steel, laminate and plastic construction, read our locker materials guide.

eXtreme Outdoor Plastic Lockers

The eXtreme range is the main purpose-specific outdoor locker range supplied by Total Locker Service. Its polyethylene construction provides a robust storage option for schools, leisure facilities, sports clubs, workplaces and public-facing sites where an indoor steel locker may not be appropriate.

Current range features include:

• durable plastic locker construction;
• corrosion-resistant joining nuts and bolts;
• modular units that can be connected into locker banks;
• a profiled top and recessed base that allows compatible units to be stacked;
• 90-degree maximum door opening to help adjacent compartments remain accessible;
• a strong plastic hinge independently tested by FIRA to withstand 240 kg of force;
• key, hasp and coin-return lock options;
• different locker heights for different storage requirements; and
• optional sloping tops on suitable configurations.

Product specifications can change, so use the outdoor locker product page for current sizes, colours, lock choices, prices and availability.

Choosing Outdoor Locker Size

Do not choose an outdoor locker purely from the number of doors. Start with the largest item that users will regularly store and check whether the compartment provides enough usable height, width and depth.

Items being stored	What to check
Small personal belongings	Compact compartment size and suitable lock
Bags and rucksacks	Internal depth and door opening
Sports clothing	Usable compartment volume and moisture management
Coats and workwear	Compartment height and internal fittings
Helmets or bulky equipment	Measure the actual equipment before ordering
Shared equipment	Opening size, access method and user responsibility

External cabinet dimensions and usable compartment dimensions are not the same thing. If storage size is critical, check the actual product specification rather than estimating from the overall locker height.

Choosing Locks for Outdoor Lockers

The appropriate lock depends on who will use the locker, how frequently users change and how the site intends to manage lost keys or forgotten access credentials.

• Key locks: straightforward for assigned lockers where individual users retain a key.
• Hasp locks: allow the user or site to provide a compatible padlock and can suit changing user populations.
• Coin-operated locks: useful for appropriate leisure and public-use applications where temporary access is required.
• Other locking systems: should only be selected after checking compatibility with the locker and environmental conditions.

Do not assume that an electronic or mechanical lock designed for an indoor locker is automatically suitable for direct external exposure. The environmental suitability of the complete lock assembly should be checked separately from the locker body.

For replacement and alternative locking systems, visit our locker locks section.

Planning an Outdoor Locker Installation

A suitable locker can still perform poorly if it is installed in the wrong position. The location should be assessed before the number and configuration of lockers are finalised.

Use a Stable, Level Base

Outdoor lockers should stand on a stable and level surface. Uneven ground can affect alignment, door operation and the way several lockers join together.

Also consider what happens to rainwater around the installation. Avoid positions where water regularly collects around the base of the lockers.

Use Shelter Where Practical

Even where a locker is manufactured from weather-resistant materials, reducing direct exposure to rain can improve the environment around the locker and help protect the belongings stored inside. A canopy, covered walkway or recessed external area can therefore be preferable to a completely exposed position.

Check User Access

Users need enough room to stand in front of the lockers, open the doors and handle bags or equipment. The installation should not obstruct entrances, gates, circulation routes or other facilities.

Consider Supervision and Security

An outdoor locker bank may be less naturally supervised than lockers inside a staffed building. Consider visibility, lighting, user access and the surrounding site when choosing the location.

For the wider project process, including capacity, access, door clearance and installation, see our locker planning guide.

Ventilation, Moisture and Wet Items

Outdoor location does not remove the need to think about moisture inside the locker. Wet sports clothing, footwear, towels or workwear can introduce moisture even when no rain enters the compartment.

Where users regularly store damp items, consider:

• how long wet items will remain inside;
• whether the chosen locker design provides appropriate ventilation;
• whether equipment should be allowed to dry before storage;
• how frequently lockers will be cleaned;
• whether the locker is appropriate for the level of water exposure; and
• whether a specialist wet-area solution would be more suitable.

Do not confuse an outdoor storage requirement with a constantly wet changing-room requirement. Swimming pools, showers and other wet indoor environments may require a different locker construction and specification.

Outdoor Locker Maintenance

Weather-resistant construction reduces some maintenance problems but does not make an outdoor locker maintenance-free. Regular inspection helps identify damage before it affects security or usability.

• Check doors for correct alignment and free movement.
• Inspect hinges and joining points.
• Check locks, keys, hasps and coin mechanisms.
• Remove dirt and debris around the locker base.
• Make sure surrounding drainage remains clear.
• Check for signs of impact or vandalism.
• Replace damaged identification numbers or labels.
• Investigate water ingress rather than assuming it is normal for an outdoor installation.

Total Locker Service also supplies locker parts, repairs and service support for existing installations.

Outdoor Lockers vs Indoor Lockers

Consideration	Outdoor locker	Typical indoor locker
Rain and moisture	Material selected for damp or external conditions	Normally intended for controlled indoor conditions
Corrosion	Plastic construction can avoid conventional body corrosion	Depends on material and environment
Installation surface	External base and drainage require consideration	Usually installed on an internal floor
Security environment	May require greater attention to location and supervision	Often within a controlled building
Water protection	Weather resistance must be checked carefully	Direct rain normally not relevant
Maintenance	Environment and fixings should be inspected regularly	Primarily wear, locks, doors and internal cleaning

Questions to Answer Before Ordering

• Who will use the lockers?
• What exactly will they store?
• How many users need storage at the same time?
• Will lockers be assigned or used temporarily?
• Is the location sheltered, partially exposed or fully exposed?
• Could wind-driven rain reach the doors?
• Does water collect around the proposed location?
• What compartment size is required?
• Which locking method best suits the users?
• How will several lockers be joined or stabilised?
• Is sufficient space available for doors and users?
• How will the lockers be cleaned and inspected?
• Could additional locker capacity be required later?

If you are planning a larger installation, supplying photographs, measurements, expected user numbers and details of the proposed location makes it much easier to identify an appropriate locker configuration.

Outdoor Lockers from Total Locker Service

Total Locker Service supplies outdoor lockers for schools, workplaces, sports facilities, leisure sites and other commercial organisations throughout the UK.

Our eXtreme outdoor plastic lockers provide a weather-resistant option for external and demanding storage locations. The range uses durable plastic construction with corrosion-resistant joining components and is available in different compartment sizes and locking configurations.

If outdoor storage is only one part of a larger project, browse our full commercial locker range or use the locker buying guide to compare locker types, materials, sizes and applications.

For help with an external locker project, contact Total Locker Service on 01284 749211 or email sales@totallocker.co.uk.

Outdoor Locker FAQs