12 Nov Cleanroom Flooring Types and Their Benefits: A Simple Guide
Cleanroom flooring is perhaps the most overlooked part of designing a cleanroom. But the reality is that it can make or break your space, especially considering that the wrong flooring can result in persistent and widespread contamination, a headache that most manufacturers want to avoid.
There are many different kinds of flooring, and what you select will often have more to do with your industry than the superiority of any specific type. Each has its own uses, benefits, and drawbacks. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common cleanroom flooring types and under what circumstances each may be used.
Common Cleanroom Flooring Types
Seamless Vinyl Flooring
In the cleanroom world, seamless vinyl is a popular choice because it makes the floor easy to clean. Because it has a continuous surface, there aren’t any spaces for particles to linger in and accumulate.
Also, vinyl is tough against many cleaning agents, so it’s a great choice if you want to keep your space low maintenance. Vinyl flooring can also be modified to dissipate static, which may be useful in cleanrooms where electro-static discharge (ESD) is a concern.
One of the biggest downsides of vinyl is that it may be slippery when wet, and it also may not be strong enough for high-traffic places, as it can be damaged or dented under a lot of weight.
Epoxy Flooring
If vinyl isn’t strong enough, then epoxy might be a better option.
Epoxy is a resin-based coating that is usually placed over concrete or another solid substrate. It has a lot of similar features to vinyl, especially in that it is easy to clean, is smooth and seamless, and can resist chemicals.
Unlike vinyl, however, epoxy flooring is great for high-traffic areas, as it’s much tougher.
Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT)
VCT flooring consists of many pre-cut tiles that are placed over the floor. It has many of the same characteristics of seamless vinyl, in that it is easy to clean and chemically resistant.
However, since it is laid down in squares, there are many more cracks and places where particles can accumulate. As a result, this flooring is reserved for less strict cleanrooms, such as ISO 8. It’s also much cheaper than the other types of flooring we’ve discussed so far.
Raised Flooring
Raised flooring may be made from a variety of materials, but its main feature is that it has perforated panels that allow air to return through it. It creates a gap or space above the floor where air can circulate, which may be especially important in cleanrooms that use laminar/unidirectional airflow. This type of flooring is used in the most strict spaces, such as in semiconductor manufacturing and ISO 5 and higher-class cleanrooms.
Rubber Flooring
Furthermore, there’s rubber flooring, which is one of the strongest types. It’s not worn down easily, so it’s great for busy places with a lot of foot traffic. It’s also a great choice for ESD control and is generally easy to maintain.
Urethane Coatings
Finally, urethane coatings are typically applied over concrete. The sealant hardens the surface, making it smooth and reducing particle shedding. These coatings also stand up well to chemicals, abrasion, and moisture, which makes them a great choice for cleanrooms that need regular cleaning or protection against spills.
The Bottom Line
There is no ‘best’ type of cleanroom flooring, and selecting the right choice will always depend on the exact needs of your space. Each has its own strengths, whether your focus is on ESD control, low costs, chemical resistance, or something else. If you’re still unsure which flooring option is right for your space, our experts at Allied Cleanrooms can help. Contact us today for a free quote and find the perfect fit for your cleanroom.