Gone are the days when raised access flooring was reserved exclusively for large corporations with substantial budgets. Traditionally, elevated flooring systems were primarily used in corporate data centers, high-tech facilities, and large office spaces because of their installation costs and system complexity.
Thanks to innovative DIY raised floor kits, small businesses with more modest budgets can now take advantage of the benefits these systems provide. DIY raised floor kits include the necessary components and instructions, allowing qualified business owners or facility managers to handle smaller installations themselves.
This affordable and customizable approach can reduce labor costs while providing flexibility in system design. Whether you are setting up a server room, creating a flexible office layout, or improving airflow in a technology space, DIY raised flooring kits provide an accessible approach to elevated flooring installation.
Why Install Raised Flooring?
Enhanced Cable Management
A raised access floor allows you to manage cables more efficiently, reduce clutter, and make future troubleshooting and system changes easier.
Improved Cooling Efficiency
By elevating the floor, conditioned air can be directed where it is needed most, improving the overall cooling efficiency of a computer room or data-processing space.
Future-Proofing Your Space
A raised floor makes it easier to upgrade and expand infrastructure as your company grows, without requiring extensive renovations.
Types of Elevated Floors
Concrete Panel and System
Cementitious raised access flooring systems and panels are made from galvanized steel and filled with lightweight cement. This construction provides excellent core strength, stability, rigidity, and durability.
Concrete-filled panels have been widely used in the U.S. information-technology market for more than 25 years. They offer long product life, high load ratings, and excellent stability. These panels can provide a 1,250-pound concentrated load rating and an ultimate load rating of up to 6,000 pounds, depending on the manufacturer and system selected.
Hollow Steel Panel and System
Hollow steel computer-floor panels and systems are manufactured from galvanized steel for exceptional core strength, stability, rigidity, and durability. These panels can provide a 1,250-pound concentrated load rating and a 5,000-pound ultimate load rating, depending on the selected product.
Calcium Sulphate Panel and System
Calcium sulphate access-floor panels consist of a recycled calcium sulphate core sealed with heavy-duty ABS and a galvanized-steel bottom. These environmentally conscious panels provide excellent rigidity, durability, acoustic performance, and static-control performance. Available specifications may also include moisture, rot, and fire resistance.
Wood Core Panel and System
Wood-core panels are constructed using a heavy-duty composite wood core enclosed by galvanized formed steel. Depending on the product, wood-core panels can provide concentrated load ratings between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds and ultimate load support between 2,400 and 4,000 pounds.
These panels provide excellent durability, rigidity, and acoustic performance. Available systems may also provide a Class A flame-spread rating.
Aluminum System and Panels
Aluminum access floors are non-magnetic and suitable for certain ISO Class 5 through ISO Class 8 clean rooms and GMP Grade A and Grade B applications. They are also commonly used in semiconductor, medical, and other controlled environments.
Aluminum panels are lightweight and easy for trained personnel to handle. They provide the benefits of an accessible raised floor while supporting the clean conditions required by specialized industries.
Airflow Panels
Raised access floor airflow panels are specialized tiles designed to improve air distribution in data centers, offices, and other technology-dependent environments. A raised access flooring system creates an underfloor plenum through which conditioned air can circulate.
Airflow panels feature perforations, grilles, or directional openings that allow conditioned air to move from the underfloor plenum into the occupied space. Available options include high-flow panels for maximum cooling and directional panels for targeted airflow.
Properly selected airflow panels can improve environmental control, support cooling-system performance, and extend the life of critical equipment. They also allow air distribution to be reconfigured when room layouts or equipment requirements change.
Raised Floor Understructure
Bolted Stringer System
Bolted-stringer raised floors are designed for data centers, server rooms, industrial applications, and other heavy-load areas. Stringers connect the pedestals and provide additional lateral support for rolling loads and certain seismic conditions. Systems are available in a wide range of finished-floor heights.
Stringerless Corner-Lock System
Stringerless corner-lock raised computer-floor systems are commonly used in applications with moderate load requirements, including offices, small computer rooms, and 911 call centers. Corner fasteners stabilize the floor and help reduce panel movement and vibration. Systems are available in various finished-floor heights.
New vs. Used Access Floors
New Systems
New raised access floor materials can be tailored to project requirements such as load capacity, finished-floor height, finish, and system design. New raised flooring generally requires a larger initial investment than used flooring, but it may include a manufacturer’s warranty and greater product availability.
Used Systems
If you need a raised flooring system while preserving your capital budget, pre-owned and refurbished access flooring can provide the required functionality at approximately 30% to 50% of the cost of comparable new materials. Reusing raised floor components can also reduce construction waste and support recycling.
DIY Raised Access Floor Kits and Costs
Some raised floor dealers offer DIY access floor kits containing the components required to build a complete system. Options may include new or used materials, various manufacturers, floor panels and finishes, understructure configurations, and finished-floor heights.
This flexibility allows the access floor to meet both functional and aesthetic project requirements. Review the Pro Access Floors DIY raised floor kits and cost information to explore available options.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
For additional technical guidance, review this detailed raised floor installation manual.
Important: The following is a general overview. Always follow the selected manufacturer’s installation instructions, local building requirements, and project specifications. Consult a qualified raised-floor installer when the application includes heavy equipment, ramps, seismic requirements, unusual loading, or critical infrastructure.
Step 1: Planning and Preparation
Room assessment:
- Measure the room to calculate the number of floor panels and understructure components required.
- Assess the structural floor for uneven areas, moisture, damage, or other conditions that could affect installation.
Layout design:
- Create a detailed floor plan showing equipment locations, electrical and data pathways, ramps, steps, and floor penetrations.
- Include pathways for airflow and access points for future maintenance.
Materials and tools:
- Gather the specified floor panels, pedestals, stringers, fasteners, adhesives, trims, and accessories.
- Typical tools include a tape measure, laser or spirit level, chalk line, drill, screwdriver, and manufacturer-approved panel-cutting tools.
Step 2: Preparing the Structural Floor
Clean the structural floor:
- Remove debris, dust, oil, and dirt. A properly prepared surface promotes pedestal adhesion and system stability.
Check for level and elevation:
- Survey the structural floor and identify elevation changes that must be accommodated by the adjustable pedestals.
- Address moisture, structural damage, or unsuitable surface conditions before installation begins.
Step 3: Installing Pedestals
Marking the grid:
- Use a chalk line or laser to mark a grid corresponding to the selected panel dimensions and approved layout.
Installing pedestals:
- Position pedestals at the grid intersections and apply the manufacturer-approved adhesive to each pedestal base.
- Adjust and level each pedestal to the required finished-floor elevation.
Securing pedestals:
- Allow the adhesive to cure according to its specifications.
- Use mechanical anchors when required by the manufacturer, project specifications, or site conditions.
Step 4: Installing Stringers
Attaching stringers:
- Connect the stringers between the pedestals and secure them with the specified fasteners.
- Confirm that the stringers are level, square, and properly aligned.
Checking stability:
- Inspect the completed understructure and make necessary adjustments before installing floor panels.
Step 5: Placing the Floor Panels
Positioning panels:
- Place the floor panels onto the completed understructure, beginning at the established starting point and following the approved grid.
Securing panels:
- Secure corner-lock panels, clips, or other components according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Cutting panels:
- Measure and cut perimeter panels and penetrations using suitable tools and appropriate safety equipment.
- Protect exposed cut edges using manufacturer-approved trim or sealant.
- Provide additional pedestal support beneath cut panels when required.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
Check for gaps:
- Inspect the floor for excessive gaps, rocking panels, misalignment, or loose components.
Cable management:
- Arrange cables beneath the floor using appropriate cable trays or supports to prevent tangling and interference with pedestals.
Air circulation:
- Verify that cables and other services do not obstruct required airflow pathways.
Safety checks:
- Perform a final inspection to confirm that panels are secure, level, and properly supported.
- Do not place heavy equipment on the system until adhesives have fully cured and the installation has been approved.
Maintenance Tips
Environmental Conditions
- Maintain room temperature and humidity within the ranges specified by the flooring manufacturer.
- A commonly recommended operating range is approximately 40°F to 85°F and 40% to 70% relative humidity, subject to the selected product specifications.
Cleaning and Care
- Dust or vacuum the finished floor regularly.
- Damp-mop suitable hard finishes using warm water and a manufacturer-approved cleaner. Do not use excessive water, which can damage finishes or adhesives.
- Do not use abrasive tools, scrapers, strong solvents, or unsuitable wax products on laminate surfaces.
- Have the raised flooring system professionally inspected and cleaned at least annually or according to the facility’s maintenance plan.
- Vacuum the understructure and structural floor as site conditions require.
- Clean airflow and perforated panels regularly to preserve cooling performance.
- Vacuum carpet-finished panels using suitable static-control equipment.
- Use cleaning products approved for the selected carpet and access-floor system.
- Use runners or protective mats in high-traffic and material-handling areas when appropriate.
Structural Maintenance
- Have the floor inspected periodically by a qualified raised-floor maintenance company to identify structural problems and preserve manufacturer specifications. Review this additional information about raised access floor care and maintenance.
- Do not rotate panels unless permitted by the manufacturer and compatible with panel cuts, finishes, airflow requirements, and understructure conditions.
- Replace damaged, warped, worn, or delaminated panels promptly.
- Replace damaged or worn pedestals, stringers, gaskets, edge trims, and other system components as needed.
Conclusion
Installing a raised access floor in a computer room is an investment in adaptable infrastructure. By understanding the available panel and understructure options and following proper installation procedures, you can create a more efficient, scalable, and organized environment for critical technology.
Whether you select a new, used, or refurbished system, raised flooring can improve cable management, support cooling efficiency, and simplify future changes. For assistance selecting an appropriate system or determining whether a project is suitable for a DIY installation, contact Pro Access Floors.