Is It Worth To Install Raised Access Floor In Commercial Indoor and Outdoor Places?

In commercial buildings and other developments that use physical spaces, it is increasingly important to have a flexible structure. Without this, it is difficult for the business to adapt to new demands quickly and efficiently.

The possibility of receiving different types of technologies has led many enterprises to choose to use the raised floor system. The investment values the property by facilitating layout changes, extensions, maintenance and relocation of facilities. Flexibility in the use of space is another attraction, since the raised floor improves the visual aspect of the environment, reducing the use of apparent channels.

Raised floor system consists of removable plates supported by an adjustable height structure, according to the needs of each building. By creating a free space between the slab and the finished floor, it allows solving common problems in buildings such as the passage of hydraulic installations, air conditioning, electrical and network cabling, among other purposes.

Raised floors are directly coupled to the slab or subfloor, using supports, with steel or thermoplastics (polypropylene) being the most common commercially.

Still in doubt whether or not to invest in this type of flooring? Then follow along and see more information about its benefits and when they should be used:

Raised Access Floor Benefits

The use of floors higher than the base of the slab or subfloor has several advantages, both when designing the construction and when using the space. Here are some of the main benefits it offers:

1. Ease of assembly

The process of installing a floor tends to be time consuming, as it requires the fixing of several plates, usually with cement. And, after everything is in place, you still have to wait for it to dry and then clean it up. This greatly increases the time required to complete the installation, not to mention possible renovations.

When the floor is raised, it is partially separated from the base and each plate fits on a series of supports. This means that, once these supports are installed, installing and changing the floor becomes much easier, faster and cheaper.

2. Quick access to equipment

As already mentioned, one of the main purposes of this type of floor is to generate an easily accessible space that extends throughout the site, but does not hinder movement. Below the plates, it is possible to install all types of wiring and / or equipment, without having to do a big job whenever it is necessary to reconnect something or insert new equipment.

The big advantages here are reduced costs and increased flexibility in your workspace. In businesses where it is important to acquire new technologies quite often, having that flexibility is essential.

3. Modernization and aesthetics

Finally, raised floors are also an excellent option if you want to improve the presentation of your business, whether for customers, partners or new employees. Having a lot of wires and machines scattered on the floor, for example, usually leaves a much more messy appearance, which should be avoided most of the time.

In addition, due to its own structure, you can easily make any changes to this type of floor quite easily. The boards can be removed and replaced by others of different colors and textures in a single day, with minimal impact on their activities.

Raised Floor Commerical Application Possibilities

Raised floor can be used in wet areas such as bathrooms and changing rooms, allowing drainage of wash water down the drain. However, the slab must be waterproofed and protected with a minimum thickness of 5 mm to distribute the loads and bond the pedestals. And, the grouting has to be in polymeric mortar.

In addition to assisting in thermoacoustic insulation and providing good leveling, the raised floor system has some types of finish that can be chosen according to the function of the environment. An elevator hall, for example, because it is a prime location, can receive granite slabs. Thus, among the raised floor finishes, the slate and granite raised floor stands out.

The slate raised floor: it stands out for having an excellent cost-benefit ratio, in addition to accepting various coatings such as carpet, vinyl floors, melamine laminates, and others. However, because it is a heavier finish than the others, slate requires a reinforced base, in addition to not having guaranteed strength, since the plates are given by sampling.

The granite raised floor: composed of calibrated slabs, has a higher cost, but it has as a great differential: a great finish, which does not require coating. In addition to standing out for the uniform height that does not require leveling, it is easy to maintain.

Sustainable Solution

Finally, despite being the most suitable type of floor for indoor areas, where there is a frequent need to change layout, such as corporate offices and banks, for example, the raised floor has been gaining space in the external areas, since it allows the creation of a system for capturing and retaining rainwater, functioning as a small cistern below the floor.

The collected volume can be used, later, for plant irrigation and cleaning, an efficient and economical solution for the maintenance of these spaces. As it is self-draining, the raised floor also reduces the possibility of pooling.

If you are thinking about finding the best flooring solution for your project, please contact us, Huiya will provide you with the most affordable and durable raised floor system.