What Is Laboratory Casework?

Laboratory casework (opens in new tab)refers to the built-in or modular cabinet systems that support storage, work surfaces, utilities and workflow inside a laboratory. While casework is often described as lab cabinets, it is more than simple storage. In a working lab, casework becomes part of the room’s infrastructure.

The right laboratory casework helps organize supplies, house utilities, support countertops, protect equipment, improve safety and create efficient movement through the space. It is commonly used in research labs, university science labs, biotech facilities, healthcare labs, industrial testing environments and educational laboratories.

Understanding what laboratory casework includes is important when planning a new lab build, renovation or furniture upgrade. Standard office cabinets are not designed for chemical exposure, heavy lab use, sink integration, utility access or long-term performance in demanding environments. Laboratory casework is built specifically for those conditions.

LabTech Supply Co. provides laboratory casework, lab cabinets and complete laboratory furniture solutions for new labs, renovations, expansions and specialty workspaces.

Why Laboratory Casework Is Important

Casework affects how the lab functions every day. It determines where materials are stored, how easy supplies are to access, how utilities are routed, how workstations are organized and how safely people can move through the room.

Well-planned laboratory casework can support:

• Organized storage for instruments, glassware, samples and supplies
• Safe placement of chemicals and specialty materials
• Integration of plumbing, gas, power and drainage
• Better workflow between workstations
• Cleaner and less cluttered bench surfaces
• Long-term durability under daily use
• ADA-compliant and accessible work areas
• More efficient lab renovations and buildouts
• Improved support for future expansion

Poorly planned casework can create bottlenecks, overcrowded benches, unsafe storage habits and expensive redesign needs. That is why casework should be planned early in any lab design or renovation project.

 

 

Laboratory Casework vs. Standard Cabinets

Laboratory casework may look similar to commercial cabinetry at first glance, but it is built for a very different purpose. Lab environments place greater demands on materials, hardware, storage and installation.

A lab that uses chemicals, water, specialized tools, sensitive equipment or heavy-use workstations should not rely on generic cabinetry as a substitute for proper laboratory casework.

 

Types of Laboratory Casework

Most laboratory casework systems include a combination of base cabinets, wall cabinets, tall cabinets, sink cabinets and specialty storage. The right mix depends on the lab’s workflow, square footage, utility needs and storage requirements.

 

Base Cabinets

Base cabinets are installed at floor level and typically sit below countertops or work surfaces. They provide storage for tools, supplies, glassware, equipment and other lab materials.

Base cabinets may include:

• Doors
• Drawers
• Adjustable shelves
• Sink configurations
• Utility access panels
• Heavy-duty slide options
• Chemical or specialty storage options

Base cabinets are one of the most important parts of a laboratory casework system because they support both storage and work surfaces.

Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets are mounted above workstations to maximize vertical storage. They are useful for keeping frequently used supplies nearby without taking up floor space.

Wall cabinets are often used for:

• Glassware
• Small equipment
• Supplies
• PPE
• Containers
• Teaching materials
• Light storage near workstations

Proper installation and weight distribution are important because wall cabinets must remain secure in active lab environments.

 

Tall Cabinets

Tall cabinets provide larger storage capacity and are often used for bulk supplies, equipment, chemicals, glassware or specialty materials.

Tall cabinets may be useful for:

• Overflow inventory
• Large containers
• Shared supplies
• Lab coats or PPE
• Specialty tools
• Chemical or material storage
• Department-wide storage

Because tall cabinets can hold more weight and volume, they should be planned around access, safety and organization.

 

Sink Cabinets

Sink cabinets are designed to support laboratory sinks, plumbing and drainage. They often include removable panels to allow access to utilities behind or beneath the cabinet.

Sink cabinets are commonly used in:

• Wet labs
• Chemistry labs
• Biology labs
• Teaching labs
• Healthcare labs
• Prep rooms
• Cleaning stations

Sink casework should be selected with moisture resistance, utility access and accessibility in mind.

 

Specialty Cabinets

Specialty cabinets are designed for specific lab functions or storage needs. These may include flammable storage cabinets, acid storage cabinets, corrosive storage, ventilated cabinets or custom equipment storage.

Specialty casework may be needed when the lab handles:

• Acids
• Solvents
• Flammables
• Corrosives
• Hazardous materials
• Sensitive equipment
• Heavy tools
• Samples or regulated materials

These cabinets should be selected based on the materials being stored and the safety requirements of the lab.

 

Common Materials Used in Laboratory Casework

Laboratory casework materials should be selected based on chemical exposure, moisture, cleaning protocols, durability expectations and budget. Different labs require different levels of performance.

The best material is not always the most expensive option. It is the one that matches the lab’s actual use.

 

Steel Laboratory Casework

Steel casework is one of the most common choices for laboratories because it provides strength, durability and long-term performance. Powder-coated steel cabinets are often used in research labs, industrial labs, university labs and healthcare support spaces.

Steel laboratory casework is a strong option when the lab needs:

• Durable storage
• Long service life
• Strong drawer and door performance
• Heavy daily use
• A professional lab appearance
• Chemical-resistant finish options
• Utility-aware cabinet design

LabTech steel lab cabinets are made with heavy 18-gauge cold rolled steel and are designed for laboratory and industrial environments that need reliable storage and casework performance.

 

Stainless Steel Casework

Stainless steel casework is used when cleanability, corrosion resistance and sanitation are top priorities. It is common in cleanrooms, healthcare labs, pharmaceutical environments, food testing spaces and washdown areas.

Stainless steel may be the right choice when the lab needs:

• Hygienic surfaces
• Frequent cleaning
• Corrosion resistance
• Moisture resistance
• Long-term durability
• Sterile or controlled workflows

Because stainless steel can be more expensive, many labs use it selectively in areas where sanitation or corrosion resistance is especially important.

 

Wood and Laminate Casework

Wood and laminate casework can be appropriate for dry labs, educational spaces and lower-exposure environments. These materials may offer budget flexibility and a warmer design appearance.

They may be suitable for:

• General classrooms
• Dry science labs
• Computer-based lab spaces
• Demonstration areas
• Administrative lab support areas
• Light-use educational environments

However, wood and laminate casework should be used carefully in wet or chemical environments. Moisture, harsh cleaning agents and frequent spills can shorten the lifespan of lower-performance materials.

 

Phenolic and Polypropylene Casework

Phenolic resin and polypropylene are often used when the lab requires stronger resistance to moisture, chemicals or corrosive materials.

Phenolic casework may be useful for:

• Wet labs
• Biology labs
• Educational labs with heavy use
• Healthcare support labs
• Moisture-prone work areas

Polypropylene casework may be better for:

• Acid storage
• Corrosive chemical environments
• Wet chemical processing areas
• Highly moisture-exposed zones

These materials are especially useful when standard steel, wood or laminate is not the right fit for the lab conditions.

 

What Features Should Laboratory Casework Include?

High-quality laboratory casework should be built for long-term performance. Features may vary by material and application, but strong casework systems often include:

• Full-frame or reinforced construction
• Durable doors and drawers
• Heavy-duty drawer slides
• Adjustable shelving
• Chemical-resistant finishes
• Moisture-resistant materials where needed
• Removable rear panels for utility access
• Sink cabinet options
• Wall, base and tall cabinet configurations
• ADA-compliant options
• Specialty storage options
• Reliable hinges and hardware
• Impact bumpers or quiet-close features
• Custom sizes, colors and accessories when needed

These features help the casework support real lab activity rather than just basic storage.

 

Laboratory Casework by Lab Type

Different labs have different casework priorities. The right design should reflect the type of work being performed.

Matching casework to lab type helps prevent overbuilding low-risk areas and underbuilding high-risk spaces.

 

Fixed, Modular and Custom Laboratory Casework

Laboratory casework can be fixed, modular, mobile or custom-built depending on the project.

Many labs benefit from a hybrid approach. Fixed casework may be best for sink and utility areas, while modular or mobile casework can support flexible workstations and changing storage needs.

 

How Laboratory Casework Supports Utilities

One of the biggest differences between casework and standard cabinetry is utility integration. In many labs, cabinets must be planned around water, drains, gas, power and equipment access.

Laboratory casework may need to support:

• Plumbing
• Drainage
• Gas lines
• Electrical access
• Data connections
• Sink installation
• Fume hood adjacency
• Service chases
• Removable rear panels
• Maintenance access

Planning utilities early helps reduce installation problems and prevents costly modifications after cabinets are built or installed.

 

How Laboratory Casework Supports Safety

Laboratory casework can improve safety by keeping materials organized, protecting chemicals, reducing clutter and supporting proper workflows.

Safety-related casework considerations include:

• Chemical-compatible materials
• Flammable storage
• Acid storage
• Corrosive storage
• Sink cabinet planning
• Clear aisles and access points
• Proper storage heights
• Closed cabinets for glassware and supplies
• ADA-compliant access
• Durable surfaces that can handle cleaning

Casework should make safe habits easier, not harder.

 

How to Choose the Right Laboratory Casework Supplier

A laboratory casework supplier should understand more than cabinet dimensions. The right partner should help with materials, workflow, storage, utility access, installation and long-term durability.

Look for a supplier that can provide:

• Laboratory-specific furniture experience
• Casework material guidance
• Standard and custom cabinet options
• SEFA 8 casework options
• Sink and specialty cabinet options
• ADA-compliant options
• Layout and space planning support
• Utility-aware recommendations
• Fast lead times
• Professional installation support
• Full-service laboratory furniture solutions

LabTech Supply Co. supports lab casework projects from initial planning through delivery and installation.

 

Planning Laboratory Casework for Renovations and New Builds

Laboratory casework should be planned early in any renovation, expansion or new construction project. Waiting too long can create conflicts with utilities, equipment, flooring, walls, sinks and work surfaces.

Before selecting casework, evaluate:

1. What type of lab is being built or renovated?
2. What chemicals, materials or equipment will be used?
3. How many users will work in the space?
4. What storage is needed now?
5. What storage may be needed later?
6. Where will sinks, utilities and work surfaces go?
7. Does the lab need ADA-compliant areas?
8. Are fixed, modular or mobile cabinets best?
9. What materials match the lab’s exposure level?
10. Will the casework support future expansion?

The best casework plan supports both immediate use and long-term adaptability.

 

When Should Laboratory Casework Be Replaced?

Laboratory casework may need to be replaced when it no longer supports safety, workflow or durability needs.

Signs casework may need replacement include:

• Damaged doors or drawers
• Rust, swelling or corrosion
• Chemical damage
• Moisture damage
• Poor storage capacity
• Outdated layout
• Unsafe reaching or access
• Inadequate utility access
• Failing hardware
• Surfaces that are difficult to clean
• Casework that no longer supports current equipment

In some labs, targeted casework replacement may be enough. In others, a full lab furniture redesign may provide better long-term value.

 

Work With LabTech Supply Co. for Laboratory Casework

Laboratory casework is not a cosmetic decision. It is an operational decision that affects storage, safety, utilities, workflow, durability and long-term lab performance.

LabTech Supply Co. provides laboratory casework, lab cabinets, sink cabinets, specialty storage, SEFA 8 steel casework, ADA-compliant options and full laboratory furniture solutions for new labs, renovations and expanding facilities.

Whether you are planning a university science lab renovation, biotech facility casework design, industrial lab upgrade or new laboratory buildout, our team can help you choose casework that supports your space and your work.

Request a Quote or call (833) 559-0705 to discuss your laboratory casework project.