Stainless Steel Lab Casework: Type 304 & 316 Cabinets
Welded base, wall, tall and sink cabinets with integral sinks for hospitals, research labs and wash-down rooms. Free layout review, Type 316 on request, delivery and installation.
Talk with a lab furniture specialist: (801) 855-8560 · Sales@Labs-USA.com
Shop Stainless Steel Casework Online
Eagle MHC Type 304 stainless inset casework from the Labs USA store. Each card opens the item pictured (price shown is for that item); the line covers hundreds of sizes. Request a quote for full rooms, Type 316, sinks, tops and installation.
What Stainless Steel Laboratory Casework Is and When It Pays Off
Stainless steel laboratory casework is fixed cabinetry (base cabinets, wall cabinets, tall storage cases and sink bases) built from Type 304 or Type 316 stainless sheet. Because the metal itself is the finish, there is no paint or laminate to chip, peel or trap moisture.
Ours is designed for healthcare and research laboratories.
Integral sinks and backsplashes are available for rooms where sanitizing and sterilization are critical, and Type 316 is available on request. Compared with painted cold-rolled steel, wood or phenolic, stainless trades a higher first cost for a surface that tolerates the harshest cleaning routines.
Stainless is the right call when a room is cleaned hard and often, stays wet, or must not shed particles. It is usually more than a lab needs for dry instrument rooms, offices and teaching labs, where painted steel or phenolic delivers the same service life at a lower cost. A good rule: specify stainless for the cabinets and tops that see water, disinfectants, corrosive reagents or biological material, and use a less expensive material elsewhere in the same room.
Comparing stainless with painted steel, wood or phenolic? Our laboratory casework overview compares every material and cabinet configuration.
Stainless Cabinet Types and Configurations
A stainless casework run is assembled from the same building blocks as any lab casework system. The difference is that every exposed panel, door, drawer front and interior can be stainless, so the run cleans as one surface.
Most projects combine standing-height base cabinets, wall cabinets above the counter and one or two tall cases for bulk supplies, then close the gaps with stainless fillers and scribes.
| Cabinet type | Common front styles | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Base cabinets (standing or sitting height) | Single or double door, drawer stacks, door-and-drawer, open | Main work runs under a stainless, epoxy or phenolic top |
| Sink base units | Door, two-door or open front | Under integral or drop-in sinks; open bases for knee or ADA clearance |
| Wall cabinets | Solid door, glass insert, open shelf, flat or slope top | Reagents, consumables and visible stock above the counter |
| Tall cases | Two-door, single-door, glass insert, open, flat or slope top | Linens, sterile supplies, bulk consumables and instrument storage |
| Bench frames and knee spaces | Open frame with filler panels | Seated work positions, instrument benches and ADA stations |
| Fillers, scribes and toe panels | Rear, corner, toe and knee-space fillers | Close gaps to walls and columns so the run has no dirt traps |
Our standard stainless standing-height base cabinet
- Type #304 stainless steel construction
- All cabinets 35-1/2″ (90.2 cm) tall x 22″ deep
- Full-extension drawer suspension rated 150 lb
- Work surfaces ordered separately; cabinets provided without locks unless specified
- Door cabinets and drawer cabinets in multiple widths; Type #316 available on request
Slope-top wall cabinets and tall cases are worth considering in clinical and clean spaces: the angled top sheds dust and liquid and removes a flat surface where boxes tend to pile up. Glass-insert doors let staff see stock levels without opening the cabinet, which also cuts down on handling in infection-controlled rooms.
Recessed (In-Wall) Stainless Steel Cabinets
Not every stainless cabinet stands on the floor or hangs on a wall. In-wall cabinets are recessed into a finished wall, so the doors sit close to the wall plane. Corridors and procedure rooms stay clear, and there is no cabinet top or exposed side to collect dust. They are a common choice for operating rooms, clean cores, sterile supply alcoves, nurse stations and exam rooms, where staff need supplies within reach but casework cannot project into the room.
Our standard in-wall stainless cabinets
- Type #304 stainless steel with a #4 finish
- 1-1/2″ trim covers the joint between the cabinet and the wall finish
- Glass doors use tempered safety glass, so staff can check stock without opening the cabinet
- 60″ nominal height, 18″ or 24″ deep, single or double doors
Standard in-wall cabinet sizes
| Configuration | Widths | Depths | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single door, hinged left or right | 18, 21 or 24 in | 18 or 24 in | 60 in nominal |
| Double door (pair of doors) | 30, 36, 42 or 48 in | 18 or 24 in | 60 in nominal |
Recessed, wall-hung or tall case?
| Option | How it mounts | Best fit | Plan for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recessed in-wall cabinet | Set into a framed wall opening; trim covers the joint to the wall finish | Operating rooms, clean cores, corridors and alcoves where nothing should project | A wall cavity deep enough for an 18 or 24 in cabinet, framed before drywall |
| Wall cabinet (surface-mounted) | Hangs on a reinforced wall above a counter | Renovations where the wall cannot be opened; storage over a work run | Wall backing, and a slope top if dust on the cabinet top is a concern |
| Tall case (floor-standing) | Stands on the floor or a base, anchored to the wall | Bulk supplies, linens and instrument storage | Floor space, door swing and a sealed base or toe detail |
Need freestanding, enclosed storage for clinical supplies instead of an in-wall unit? See our stainless steel medical cabinets page.
Before the wall is framed: in-wall cabinet checklist
- Get the rough opening and required wall depth from the cabinet submittal. A standard stud wall is not deep enough for an 18 or 24 in cabinet, so the design needs a chase, a deeper wall or a furred-out wall.
- Add the blocking and support shown in the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
- Ask the architect about fire-rated and smoke walls. Recessing a cabinet can affect a rated assembly, so the design team and the authority having jurisdiction decide the detail.
- Choose the door swing (left, right or a pair) around room traffic, equipment and nearby doors.
- Decide glass or solid doors, the number of shelves and whether each cabinet needs a lock.
- Where infection control requires it, specify a cleanable sealant at the trim-to-wall joint.
Table accessory cabinets
For work tables and sink stations, a table accessory cabinet with a stainless steel pegboard back and a solid swinging door keeps small tools, tubing and accessories hanging in view at the bench, then closes so the area can be wiped down. Ask about one when you plan stainless work tables or a wash-up station, and see stainless cleanroom furniture for matching tables and benches.
Type 304 vs. Type 316 Stainless Steel
Both grades are austenitic stainless steels and both clean and look the same. The difference is molybdenum. Type 316 adds roughly 2% molybdenum, which improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion from chlorides. For most labs Type 304 is the standard specification; Type 316 earns its premium where chlorides are routine.
| Property | Type 304 | Type 316 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical composition | About 18% chromium, 8% nickel | About 16 to 18% chromium, 10 to 14% nickel, 2 to 3% molybdenum |
| Corrosion resistance | Very good with most lab chemicals, water and detergents | Better against chlorides: salt solutions, bleach, hydrochloric acid, saline |
| Relative cost | Base stainless price | Higher than 304; confirm on your quote |
| Best fit | General wet labs, clinical rooms, most cleanrooms | Chloride-heavy cleaning, pharmaceutical GMP areas, coastal or salt-laden environments |
Where 316 matters most: sink bases, backsplashes and counters around a wash-up area, and any cabinet wiped with bleach-based disinfectants every shift. Chlorides concentrate where liquid sits and dries, which is why pitting shows up first at sink rims and drain boards.
If only part of the room sees chlorides, a mixed specification (316 at the sink wall, 304 elsewhere) is a common way to control cost. Say so on the drawings so every bidder prices the same split.
Surface Finish Options
Finish affects how easily a surface cleans, how much it shows fingerprints and scratches, and what it costs. Ask for the finish by name on every exposed surface, and say whether interiors may use a mill finish.
The photo shows the difference in light reflection between a brushed surface and an electropolished one.
Whatever the finish, welds should be ground and blended to match, and interior corners should be free of open seams. A finish that looks right on a sample but leaves crevices at the welds will not clean any better than painted steel.
Construction Details to Specify and Check
Stainless casework is only as cleanable as its joints. Before you approve submittals, check how the cabinets are built, leveled and sealed to the room. In cleanrooms, leveling feet or a sealed base matter as much as the finish.
Ask for shop drawings that show every joint to walls, floors and adjacent tops.
- Performance testing: request documentation that the line has been tested to SEFA 8M, the laboratory metal casework standard, for door, drawer and shelf loading.
- Welded vs. fastened: welded cabinet bodies with ground welds leave fewer crevices than fastened assemblies; ask which construction is offered.
- Material gauge and grade: confirm the grade (304 or 316) for bodies, fronts, interiors and shelves separately.
- Drawer suspension and hinges: confirm drawer load rating, full extension and stainless hardware.
- Base and leveling: sealed toe kick, stainless leveling legs or a sealed curb, depending on the room’s cleaning method.
- Sinks and tops: integral welded sinks and coved backsplashes remove the seam between sink and counter.
- Seismic and wall anchorage: follow the project’s structural requirements; tall cases and wall cabinets need engineered attachment.
Where Stainless Steel Casework Is Used
Stainless casework shows up wherever cleaning routines, moisture or contamination control would wear out other materials. These are the rooms where we see it specified most often.
Hospitals and clinical labsProcedure rooms, pathology and clinical lab support rooms where cabinets are disinfected every shift.
Veterinary and animal-care labsWet zones with sinks and sealed cabinets that stand up to repeated wash-down and disinfectants.
Food, flavor and QC labsGlassware wash-up stations, sample prep and testing rooms that stay wet through the day.
Research and university labsCell culture, microbiology and core facilities that need cabinets that tolerate bleach and peroxide.Other common applications:
- Cleanrooms (ISO 5 to 8): non-porous, non-shedding surfaces that tolerate repeated wipe-downs. See our stainless steel cleanroom furniture for benches, carts and gowning furniture.
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing and QC: rooms with validated cleaning protocols and autoclaved components.
- Pathology, histology and morgues: resists formalin, xylene and staining reagents, and the heavy disinfection these rooms require.
- Microbiology and bacteriology: supports decontamination with bleach, hydrogen peroxide and UV.
- Semiconductor and electronics support labs: electropolished surfaces help limit particle shedding.
A real example: this corner casework installation with a stainless steel work surface at a research institute in Vail, Colorado.
Stainless vs. Painted Steel, Phenolic and Wood Casework
| Material | Strengths | Watch-outs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel (304/316) | No coating to fail, tolerates heavy disinfection and moisture, non-porous | Highest cost; 304 can pit with chlorides; shows dents | Wet, clinical, clean and decontamination rooms |
| Painted steel | Strong, economical, wide size range, chemical-resistant powder coat | Coating can chip and rust at damaged edges in wet areas | Most research, teaching and QC labs |
| Phenolic | Moisture- and chemical-resistant, lighter than steel | Can delaminate under high heat | Wet chemistry and corrosive storage |
| Wood | Warm appearance, quiet, easy to customize | Not for wet or heavy-disinfection rooms | Dry labs, teaching labs, offices |
Many rooms combine materials: painted steel cabinets for most of the run, stainless at the sink wall, and an epoxy, phenolic or stainless top chosen for the chemistry on that counter. See our laboratory work surfaces and laboratory sinks pages for the top and sink options.
Before You Bid: Is It All-Stainless Casework or Stainless Tops?
“Stainless steel casework” can describe two very different assemblies. One is stainless cabinets with stainless work surfaces. The other is painted steel cabinets with stainless tops. They can look alike in plan view, but they are not interchangeable.
Identify the material of the cabinet body, doors, drawers, shelves, exposed ends, toe kicks, fillers and countertops separately. Don’t assume a stainless top means the cabinets below it are stainless. This matters most in morgues, medical examiner facilities, hospitals and government projects, where architectural drawings, laboratory drawings, equipment schedules and written specifications may not agree.
Resolve conflicts across the bid documents
| Check | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Plans and elevations | Compare architectural, laboratory, plumbing and equipment sheets. Confirm every cabinet shown on one set but omitted from another. |
| Written specifications | Identify the required material and finish for cabinet bodies, fronts, interiors, shelves, hardware, exposed panels, fillers, toe kicks and tops. |
| Schedules and tags | Match each plan tag to a cabinet or equipment schedule. Flag tags with no schedule entry, conflicting descriptions or missing dimensions. |
| Details and sections | Review sink bases, corners, wall cabinets, tall cabinets, end panels, backsplashes and utility chases; they often reveal whether the intent is all-stainless or mixed. |
| Addenda and substitutions | Confirm which document controls when requirements conflict. For named manufacturers or “or equal” language, review our lab casework brand requirements guide and follow the bid’s approval process. |
Separate casework from specialized equipment
Create a room-by-room responsibility matrix. List each tagged item and assign it to laboratory casework, owner-furnished equipment, contractor-furnished equipment, plumbing, electrical, HVAC or another trade. Don’t classify an item by location alone: refrigerators, freezers, grossing stations, autopsy equipment, evidence storage, sinks, carts and support tables may be drawn next to casework but carried under another specification section.
State who provides openings, trim, closures, support frames, countertop cutouts, service fixtures, final utility connections and anchorage around equipment. A clear exclusion is as important as a clear inclusion. The Lab Specification & RFP Analyzer can help organize the scope before review.
Build a bid that can be compared fairly
Define the base scope
List cabinet construction and countertop material separately, with quantities, room numbers and drawing references.
Record assumptions
If documents stay unclear, state the interpretation used and offer alternates rather than blending assumptions.
Track exceptions
Keep a short list of conflicts, missing schedules, exclusions and pending answers; update it with each addendum.
Send a complete set
Send drawings, specs, addenda, schedules and your scope matrix, plus CAD or Revit files. You can also upload a lab floor plan.
Planning Stainless Casework for Morgue and Necropsy Wash-Down Rooms
In morgue, medical examiner and necropsy rooms, the floor is part of the cleaning plan. Owners often prefer wall-hung or suspended stainless cabinets, plus open-legged or wall-mounted tables, because these layouts leave fewer floor-level obstructions around hose-down areas and floor drains. The right arrangement depends on the cleaning procedure, wall construction, equipment layout and infection-control plan. Have the design team and authority having jurisdiction confirm the final details.
Choose supports around the wash-down path
Wall-hung or suspended cabinets
These cabinets keep toe kicks and cabinet bases off the floor. Confirm the loaded cabinet weight, mounting method and required wall backing before walls are closed. The structural engineer or architect should approve support details, especially at masonry, metal-stud and rated walls.
Open-legged or wall-mounted tables
Open space below a table can improve access for cleaning and inspection. Place legs, brackets and cross members away from floor drains, hose paths and staff circulation. If a table carries heavy equipment, confirm concentrated loads and anchorage rather than selecting it only for cleanability.
Wall and floor transitions
Decide how counters, cabinets and brackets meet the wall. Joints may need a cleanable seal, but the correct sealant and detail depend on the wall finish and facility protocol. Avoid creating narrow gaps that cannot be reached during routine cleaning.
Plan wire shelving and separate specialty equipment
- Stainless wire shelving can work well in specimen, supply and receiving rooms because open shelves let incidental water drain and surfaces dry. It also improves visibility, but it is not automatically right for every package or specimen container. Confirm shelf spacing, shelf and bay load ratings, required shelf liners, corrosion exposure and whether restraints are needed.
- Map carts before placing shelving. Check aisle width, turning space, door swings, loading height and access to refrigeration or pass-throughs. Mobile shelving adds flexibility, but wheel tracks and casters must fit the cleaning method and floor conditions. See wire lab shelving and the medical shelving configurator for planning options.
- Keep standard furniture distinct from specialty morgue equipment. Stainless cabinets, work surfaces, sinks, wall shelving and general-purpose tables may fall under laboratory casework. Autopsy tables, body lifts, saws, refrigeration and other powered or purpose-built systems are typically third-party specialty equipment and may appear in different specification sections. Their utility, anchorage and clearance requirements still must be coordinated with the casework.
- Compare architectural plans, laboratory drawings, equipment schedules and specifications before finalizing quantities. Use the page’s existing Before You Bid responsibility matrix to record who furnishes, installs, connects and tests each item. For help sorting ambiguous documents, use the Lab Specification and RFP Analyzer.
- Send Labs USA the latest dimensioned floor plan, reflected ceiling plan if relevant, room elevations, wall types and backing information, floor-drain locations, equipment schedule, specification sections, cleaning procedure, expected cabinet and shelf loads, and a marked list showing which items you want included.
Send those details through our contact form or call (801) 855-8560, and a Labs USA specialist will review them with you.
Common Questions
Can wall-hung stainless cabinets be mounted to any wall?
Not without checking the wall assembly and loaded cabinet weight. The architect or structural engineer should confirm backing, anchors and any effects on rated or waterproof wall assemblies.
Should every cabinet and table in a morgue be raised off the floor?
Not necessarily. The best support style depends on wash-down procedures, equipment loads, accessibility, drain placement and infection-control requirements. The design team and authority having jurisdiction should approve the room detail.
Is an autopsy table part of the stainless casework package?
Usually it is treated as specialty equipment rather than standard laboratory casework. Confirm the specification section and supplier, then coordinate its plumbing, electrical, exhaust, anchorage and service clearances with the surrounding furniture.
Is open wire shelving suitable for specimen storage?
It can be useful where drainage, drying and visibility matter. Confirm container support, shelf loads, required liners or restraints, cleaning chemicals, cart access and any facility-specific storage rules before selection.
Cleaning and Care for Stainless Lab Casework
Stainless steel resists corrosion because a thin chromium oxide layer re-forms on its surface. Most problems come from things that interrupt that layer or leave corrosive residue behind:
- Rinse after bleach and chloride cleaners. Chlorides left to dry are the most common cause of pitting on Type 304.
- Clean spills promptly, especially acids and salt solutions, and dry surfaces that stay wet around sinks.
- Wipe with the grain on #4 satin finishes, using non-abrasive pads and cleaners approved for stainless.
- Keep carbon steel away. Steel wool, carbon steel brushes and steel shavings can embed iron and cause rust spots.
- Autoclave components, not cabinets. Removable stainless shelves and trays can go through a standard 121 °C (250 °F) cycle; cabinet bodies are decontaminated in place.
Lead Times, Ordering and Quotes
Standard stainless casework from our line can ship within about 9 weeks of confirmation of all project details. Custom sizes, Type 316, electropolished finishes and integral sinks can add time, so your quote states the lead time for your exact configuration. Stock store items are listed in the shop row above.
To get an accurate quote, include as much detail as possible:
- Number of base, wall and tall cabinets, or a marked-up floor plan or elevations
- Lab room dimensions and ceiling height
- Material preference by area: all-stainless, stainless tops on painted steel, Type 304 or 316, finish
- Utility requirements: sinks, faucets, gas, vacuum, electrical and data
- Timeline, delivery access and whether installation is required
Send these through our contact form or call (801) 855-8560, and a Labs USA specialist will review them with you. Planning a larger renovation? Our lab casework installation page explains how we sequence delivery and install.
Stainless Steel Casework FAQs
Is stainless steel casework worth the extra cost?
What is the difference between Type 304 and Type 316 stainless casework?
If the elevation looks stainless, can I bid all-stainless cabinets?
Which document controls when architectural and laboratory drawings conflict?
Should refrigerators and freezers be included with casework?
How should bidders handle an unresolved material ambiguity?
Can stainless steel casework be autoclaved?
What causes stainless steel to corrode in labs?
How do I specify stainless steel casework for a cleanroom?
Can stainless steel cabinets be recessed into a wall?
What sizes do in-wall stainless steel cabinets come in?
Recessed or surface-mounted stainless cabinets for an operating room?
What is the lead time for stainless steel casework?
Get a Quote on Stainless Steel Casework
Free layout review, Type 304 and 316 options, delivery and professional installation.