GUIDE TO THE CHOICE

La scelta dell’idoneo sistema di pavimento sopraelevato è innanzitutto dipendente dalla destinazione d’uso, sia esso per spazi destinati ad uffici, abitativi o in locali più prettamente tecnici.

• » Pannelli e rivestimenti per pavimento sopraelevato
• » Strutture portanti per pavimenti
• » insonorizzazione del pavimento sopraelevato
• » Antistaticità e conduttività della pavimentazione
• » Resistenza all’umidità dei pavimenti
• » Le finiture speciali

Panels and floor coverings

The first criterion for evaluation is the working load; it is advisable
to check at first the comparison table at page 14.
Working load classes from 3 to 5 efficiently satisfy the majority
of functional requirements.
Working load class 2 is more suitable for uses with non permanent
loads whilst class 6 is normally used for areas with specific and extremely high load requirements. At the same time, it is necessary to choose the finishes most suitable for the intended use; finishing that must be compatible with the desired type of panel.
In general, within the wide range of choice, it is advisable to use stone or ceramic finishes in high traffic areas, such as corridors, lift entrances and halls; moreover these finishes can also be used in all those office or housing spaces which require a high profile appearance.
Considering the nature of these materials, very resistant to abrasion but also very fragile in case of excessive deflection of the panels, it is advisable to use them on steel encapsulated panels that guarantee a superior resistance to deflection thus avoiding snapping or breaking of the covering surface. 
Resilient materials (PVC, rubber, linoleum) are widely used for
almost all operational office spaces.
With regard to wood, the extreme natural beauty of the essences must be matched with an attentive use, particularly focusing on humidity control and maintenance to be carried out in the absence of water.
Fulfilled this premise, wood coverings can be used in any space, with the only obvious exclusion of technical rooms.
Finally, the new generation of metallic finishes is linked to specific
minimalist or hi-tech aesthetic and architectural choices and can be successfully used without particular restrictions in modern offices, show-rooms, display areas and shops.
Last element to evaluate within the panel/covering matching process is the flexibility of use together with the optimal site management feature offered by the Janus loose-laid system, exclusive to Gasparini System. In this case, the bare faced steel encapsulated floor can be installed on site first, leaving the option to loose-lay the desired final covering at a later stage, without using adhesives thank to the magnetic backing of the tiles. The final coverings/finishes will so avoid all the potential post-installation damages caused by other trades during the building process on site. Furthermore the choice
of the type of loose-laid Janus covering can be customised area by area, even at different stages in time and without interfering or operating on the main steel encapsulated raised access floor.
The total flexibility also involves format and design, allowing
future variations with ease and costs control.
Janus tile system is also certainly useful to developers wishing to offer, in business or commercial centres, finishing solutions tailored to the end-users or ease in changing of the space intended use.

Understructures

The type of understructure to match the panel/covering chosen
up to now, mainly vary depending on the height of the finished floor; for floor heights up to 400 mm pedestals (ST1 or ST1 Gold) alone can be used with panels from the GW series; 
in case of heights exceeding 400 mm it is always advisable to use stringers (understructure type ST2 – ST3 Standard or Gold) with the whole range of systems to ensure the correct lateral stability.
As an alternative to stringers or to ensure a better protection and privacy of the underfloor plenum, a “corner lock” system can be put in place with the panels screwed to the pedestals heads. This system is only available when used with the encapsulated panels within the GW series.

Acoustic requirements

Density and weight of the materials determine substantial variations
of the acoustic properties. Encapsulated raised floor systems, especially those with calcium sulphate core, have superior soundproofing features.
Care must also be taken in the choice of the final floor covering
as, be this textile, resilient, stone or metallic, it can determine variations of the acoustic performances.
Due to the complexity of this subject, it is recommended if in doubt, to consult our Technical Department.

Antistaticity and conductivity

Problems due to electrostatic charges generated on the floor surface can be avoided by the appropriate choice of the materials comprising the system.
In particular, there are antistatic and/or conductive coverings (laminates, textiles, pvc, etc.) with electrical resistance ranging between 106 and 1010 Ohms, that can be chosen depending on the intended use of the area, provided they are applied using a conductive adhesive.

Resistance to humidity

Raised access floors can notoriously be sensitive to sudden changes of temperature or to high relative humidity rates.
In case, for instance, of constructions like high raise buildings/
skyscrapers where many months can pass before the air conditioning
is fully functioning or in geographical areas like the Middle or Far East, characterised by high temperatures and humidity, the most suitable choice falls on the encapsulated panels in the GW range, both with chipboard or especially with calcium sulphate core. In this respect, probably one of the best performing panels available in the worldwide market.

Special finishes

Particular aesthetic requirements can make sometimes difficult
to source the suitable covering materials.
One of the features that characterises Gasparini System is indeed
the high level of experience and the choice of exceptional and high value finishing materials like Tuscany cotto, crystal, stainless steel, aluzinc.