During the Roman Empire, the concept of a raised floor was first developed by utilizing pillars that held large tiles in place. This created an enclosed space beneath the flooring through which heated air from a furnace outside the building could be channelled. Referred to as a hypocaust, this type of flooring was constructed using hard-wearing natural stone tiles to distribute the warmth throughout the area and was a common feature in public baths and the wealthiest homes.
Fast forward to more modern times. In the 1960s, the Hiross company of Europe ushered in a new type of flooring – the raised access floor – to meet the demands of their human users. This style of flooring was initially used in areas with limited staff, such as central computer or electrical switchboard rooms. Since then, the evolution of floor construction has taken this technology to the modern raised access floor we know today.
To ensure safety and optimal conditions, fire protection, humidity and temperature control, acoustic regulation, noise reduction, and electrical safety needed to be in place. This is why modular chipboard panels were used to construct the floor – lightweight and easily accessible for the frequent maintenance needs of the room.
During the 1970s, a variety of manufacturers began producing raised access floor systems, tailoring them to fit the technical room needs and optimizing the quality of the materials employed in their manufacturing processes.
In the mid-1980s, raised access floors began to be used in high-traffic office spaces. As time passed, the quality of these floors improved, and their functionality became more well-suited to the needs of workers. These floors needed to provide the same stability, insulation, and safety level as a traditional floor while still being raised from the floor below.
After that turning point, the advancement of these flooring systems has been inescapable, entirely due to the diligent innovation in this area that has generated the elevated access floors we are familiar with today.
One of the best features of these systems is their convenience, with wiring and other installations kept out of sight. Additionally, the modular structure of the systems allows for easy assembly and disassembly without leaving behind any waste and makes them easily reusable. Furthermore, installation times have been significantly reduced, as the materials can easily be put together on-site.
Raised access floors have penetrated into households, serving various purposes such as delineating living space, concealing pipes in wet areas, and even backyard decks.
No longer solely utilized for data centres, workshops, or offices, raised access floors can now be transformed into multipurpose, aesthetically pleasing options for public and private areas. Their variety of coverings, such as wood, metal, PVC, porcelain, and carpet, make these floor systems highly advantageous and beneficial to the occupants’ comfort and well-being.
Eterno Ivica pedestals are an innovative type of raised flooring system designed to provide long-lasting support for heavy floor loads in a range of indoor and outdoor spaces. Unlike conventional pedestals, the Eterno Ivica system features a revolutionary design with several features that help make it the most advanced pedestal on the market. Eterno Ivica pedestals are ideal for installing and supporting porcelain stoneware in various environments while offering stability, durability and impressive load-bearing strength. To learn more about the benefits of Eterno pedestals for your raised access flooring project, visit Canadian Pedestal Systems for valuable expertise, advice and pedestal system information.