How to Determine the Proper Raised Floor Tile

Find out how much load or weight the raised tile floor will need to support. Budget accordingly if your facilities will require a significant amount of heavy equipment. Heavier loads typically require additional flooring materials and installation hardware. Ultimately, the height of a raised floor will depend on the number of servers and the floor area you need to cool.

Use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to build computer models analyzing the speed and flow of air in the raised floor system. Predict airflow paths with CFD tools, which take into account tile configurations, tile and floor dimensions, placements and tile perforations. Also look at elements such as floor height and the location of air handling units in the building.

Assess other areas of the room where the raised tiles will be installed. Measure the room’s ceiling height and the clearance between the bottom edge of the door and the floor. Sloped exits such as ramps should also be factored into your assessment of the type of tile and appropriate height for the raised floor.

Research which type of raised flooring products are available. Some flooring manufacturers offer high pressure laminated floor tile, which is ideal for easy cleaning and dissipating static electricity. High pressure laminate tiling is also beneficial for rooms holding sensitive equipment, such as computer rooms and server farms. Choose vinyl tile if you need raised floors with conductive or static dissipation properties.

Compile a shortlist of reputable tile manufacturers, distributors and contractors once you've finished creating your raised floor master plan. Identify designers and contractors with relevant experience installing raised floor systems. They can also advise you on the best tile for your project. For a list of reputable tile manufacturers and distributors, consult organizations such as the National Tile Contractors Association. You can also search for commercial flooring contractors through associations such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (see Resources).