When space is at a premium in a building, it often makes sense to build up instead of out!
Raised access flooring can be an efficient, safe, and cost-effective way of optimising the space in a commercial or residential property.
In this article, we’ll look at what a raised access floor is as well as some of the questions prospective clients ask us about this specific type of flooring.
What does a raised access floor do?
A raised access floor is an elevated grid of panels that provides additional space in a building. In effect, you’re adding an extra floor to your existing space!
A raised access floor consists of floor panels, pedestals that support the panels, and stringer bars that connect the pedestals together. This results in a solid load-bearing structure that is suitable for the majority of buildings.
All cabling, pipework, and wiring are routed under the floor panels, keeping everything self-contained.
A raised access floor is often referred to as a platform floor, computer floor, or raised floor.
Where can I use raised access flooring?
The great thing about raised access flooring is that you can use it anywhere you need extra space. For example, if you need to build a new office for staff, need more storage space for stock, or an additional ‘floor’ for your retail store.
Raised access flooring is often used for data centres and server rooms. This is because all the wiring needed can be neatly tucked away, and you can install air conditioning to keep your systems cool and fully operational.
What are the benefits of raised access flooring?
As we mentioned earlier, one of the main advantages of raised access flooring is that you can use it to utilise the vertical space in your building.
As well as providing more vertical space, you can use raised access flooring if you want to protect your existing flooring. For example, if you are carrying out a construction project in a listed building and don’t want to damage the floor.
As all the cabling and wiring are tucked away in the panels, this provides a clean and professional look. In addition, there are no trailing cables or trip hazards to contend with.
If the cables and wiring in your raised access flooring need replacing and maintaining, you can easily lift the panels for access, saving you money and time.
You can also customise the panels with flooring finishes like carpet, lino, laminate, and wood to create a unique look and feel. You can also install airflow panels if you need to cool computers and other equipment.
Raised access flooring can be easily futureproofed too. If you need to accommodate more people in your building or provide extra functionality, you can run additional cables through your flooring panels.
Find out more about how raised access flooring can enhance your construction project.
How much weight can a raised access floor take?
It depends on your specific needs and what you’re using your raised access floor for. The panels used can take anything from 454 kilos (1000 pounds) to 11340 kilos (25,000 pounds of weight). As you may expect, higher-weight panels are more expensive.
You can mix and match the panels to fit your requirements and make your project more cost-effective, for example, by using higher-weight panels in areas that need them most.
Can I take my raised access flooring with me if I move to a new building?
As raised access flooring is modular, you may be able to take the panels with you, ready to install in another building, if they are in good condition.
A construction company (like CCL Interiors) will be able to advise if you can do this.
Is raised access flooring the same as a mezzanine floor?
Not quite. While both provide flooring between two floors of a building, a mezzanine structure is typically made from steel and aluminium and does not consist of panels.
Mezzanine floors also don’t contain wiring and cabling in the same way raised access flooring does.
How long will raised access flooring last?
Floor panels should last at least 25 years, and supporting components should last at least 50 years.
You can extend the lifespan of your raised access flooring by maintaining it regularly. Keep it clean, replace any damaged panels as soon as possible, and swap panels around to reduce wear and tear in high-footfall areas.
How much does a raised access flooring solution cost?
It depends on the size of the floor you need and the functionality that’s required.
If you get in touch with your requirements, we’ll be happy to provide an estimate for your project.
Can I install raised access flooring myself?
While you can, we wouldn’t recommend it.
Working with a professional installer means they will help you choose the right flooring solution for your needs and ensure it is installed in line with health and safety regulations.
CCL Interiors: Your raised access flooring specialists
Raised access flooring is our speciality at CCL Interiors. If you’re looking for a dependable, fully accredited construction company to oversee your installation, we’re here to help.
We’ve supplied and installed over 3,800 raised floors for our clients, and this number is growing all the time!
No matter where you are in the UK, or whether your project is residential or commercial, each of our raised access floors is designed and installed to an exceptional standard.
Contact us today, and let’s see how we can work together on your upcoming project.