Cold Room Solutions
There are many things to consider when installing a cold room. What floors, walls, doors, or storage options are you going to need to make use of the space in coordination with the industry you’re working in? A butcher won’t need the same cold room as a pharmaceutical company, so what works best for you?
We’re going to break down some cold room solutions to help you understand what choices lie ahead.
- Walls
The main goal of any cold room is to insulate the walls, seal the corners, and protect the framing. These are the material options available to anyone looking to build a cold room; - PVC
Easy to install, PVC panels are screwed directly onto a substrate or into the studs. It’s .5 inches thick with interlocking sides. These panels are smooth, durable, and seamless. - Poured Concrete
Because of its durable, seamless, and durable qualities, poured concrete is popular for cold rooms. It is, however, costly and complicated to install. - Fibreglass
Fibreglass is a thin plastic sheet that is applied to backers through an adhesive. To make them durable their needs to be an additional back installed before installers start with the fibreglass panels. While durable overall, fibreglass is easily damaged and can accumulate mould and bacteria in its crevices if not well maintained. - Glazed Ceramic
Glazed ceramic is challenging to install. In the event of visible cracks, water absorption can pose a real threat to the tiles overall. They are, however, durable and resistant to countless chemicals. - Concrete Blocks
Concrete blocks are a good choice but come with their issues, such as dust and moisture collection because of the ledges and crevices formed from the block stacking. Additional steps like semi-gloss or a glossy epoxy enamel paint can ensure cleanability and durability.
Floors
There are five common types of flooring options used for cold rooms, whether they be small or as big as a warehouse;
- Insulated with Hexafloor Finish
Suppose foot traffic is something your cold room is going to be experiencing a lot of. In that case, you should consider insulated floors with a Hexafloor finish. Supermarkets, dining establishments, bars, bakeries, etc., use the insulated floors with Hexafloor finishes as they constantly need to be accessed, causing excess foot traffic.
This type of flooring is ideal for uneven surfaces as it smooths and flattens the surface, allowing the cold room to be built over it. However, they can’t withstand intense chemicals, so be sure to avoid applying them when you give your cold room a clean once in a while.
- Insulated with Plywood & Overlay
Plywood and overlay insulated flooring is very similar to insulated floors with a Hexafloor finish. They work well with uneven flooring, can’t handle harsh chemicals, and are perfect for excessive foot traffic.
The plywood and overlay flooring option can be used in big and small cold room settings. The larger the room, the more the need for additional support grows. You’ll find you need a 5 bar overlay to help support the larger floor space. If you’re storing products such as fruits, vegetables, and meat, then this might be the option for your business.
- Altro
If chemicals are going to be used consistently to sanitize your cold room, we recommend considering Altro flooring. Altro is water and chemical resistant making them great if hygiene requires these to achieve cleanliness.
Altro floors are common amongst agricultural workers, such as farms, abattoirs, dairies, butcheries, food processing, and storage facilities. In addition, Altro floors are considered the most accessible floors to clean. Therefore, it makes them a high contender for establishments that routinely clean their cold rooms to keep them hygienic.
- Resin
Similar to Altro flooring, resin floors work well if you find yourself constantly washing your cold room. One of the significant benefits of epoxy resin floors is that they can be integrated well with pre-existing or newly installed draining systems. This is great for cold rooms that store liquids.
Resin floors are robust and can handle years of durable use, and don’t require consistent maintenance. So if you’re using heavy trolleys or vehicles on a resin floor, you don’t have to worry about if they can handle it or not. Since resin floors are typical for butchers and other food-related industries, we want to emphasize hygiene!
- Granolithic
If your cold room requires heavy machinery like a pallet truck or forklift, granolithic flooring is the best choice for your cold room. This cold room solution is installed in temperature-controlled warehouses or larger freezers, where heavier loads are stored.
Granolithic flooring options are predominantly found in pharmaceutical and retail industries as well as agriculture.
Doors
Just like anything that requires a door, you have options to choose from to ensure you get what you’re looking for from your cold room.
- Flip Flap
If you’re looking for quick access while still retaining cold temperatures, then flip-flap doors might be for you. This ‘door’ option is great for kitchens and commercial enterprises that require constant quick cold room access. - Sliding
Sliding doors, either automatic or manual, are great for easy access. Maintain freezing temperatures with these easy-to-open doors, which make sure cold air isn’t released. Sliding doors are easy to keep clean and maintain, making them an excellent choice for any establishment, especially in service or retail. - Hinged
Hinged doors are designed for ground-up use and maintain favourable temperatures without difficulty. A hinged door is the closest thing you’ll find to a ‘standard door’ in the world of cold rooms.
Service
Service doors provide service from the inside or the outside of your cold room. Made from insulated materials, double-hinged for efficient service, these doors easily divide cold storage space and filter out loud noises. This makes it perfect for cold rooms that require workers to use the area for various purposes like processing, pharmaceutical work, etc.
There you have it, some cold room solutions to help you make some critical decisions on what cold room needs you have and how to meet them.
If you need further information or help to understand your cold room or perhaps just want the guidance of a specialist, head on over to our website and get in touch today!