Installing a raised floor, whether in a commercial or a residential space, can offer huge benefits particularly if you are short on space. It can give you extra storage space, tidy up those messy cables lying around, or hide away your air conditioning system while distributing air evenly throughout your space. We have explored the reasons why businesses may want to install raised flooring – for a quick refresh if you are still unsure take a look at our previous article. This month we focus on the potential pitfalls of this decision and how to avoid them and still have the raised flooring space that you need and want.
1.Ceiling height
If you have low ceilings installing raised flooring could cause you problems. For commercial buildings this may turn out to be nothing to worry about as often false ceilings are in place which can be altered. If this is not the case, or if you are thinking of installing them in your home and it has low ceilings this is not something that you can change. Consider the alternative of creating a smaller area of raised flooring and making a feature out of this extra space in your room instead. While you may not be able to have as much underfloor space as you would have liked, it is still possible and you could create a whole new functional raised area space.
2.Supporting structures
When installing raised flooring it needs to be done in a safe way structurally, which is something that your flooring installer will take into account. What you also need to consider is whether running cables through may mean drilling through existing joists or supports in which case this must be considered and done carefully to avoid potentially weakening supporting structures.
3.Dust and pests
Having a void space under your floor will inevitably collect dust. To avoid creating problems over the longer term, cleaning this area is important to rid it of all dust. Depending on how heavily used your space is doing this once or twice a year should be sufficient. A void space could also attract pests such as mice if it is not sealed to the outside. If you are running cabling under your floor mice can chew through them and severely damage your network. Sealing access to the outside of your building will prevent mice and other vermin from getting into your underfloor spaces.
4.Materials and electrocution
Particularly important if you are running cabling under your floor, you must ensure that the flooring materials themselves are non-conductive. Should something short-circuit under the floor at any time you will not be affected as you will be insulated from potential electrocution.
Are you looking for some advice on whether or not raised flooring is right for your home or business? Our team of specialists at Fieldmans Access Floors is on hand to help. With years of installation experience across all types of businesses and buildings we are well placed to help. Just call us on for an informal discussion or to make an appointment if you are ready to go.
