Raised access flooring, also called false flooring, is a less common interiors feature than false ceilings, but it has as many uses – if not more.A raised floor is a modular panel installed above the structural floor. The space beneath the raised flooring is typically used to accommodate utilities such as electrical cables, plumbing and HVAC systems. And so, raised flooring is usually associated with buildings with heavy cabling and precise air distribution needs, such as data centres.That said, CW interacted with designers and architects and discovered that false flooring can come in handy in residences and commercial properties too. Read on to understand how.Multiple advantagesInstead of opting for a false ceiling, choose a false floor and an exposed ceiling. “The trend of exposed ceilings is well served by false flooring by eliminating the need to run service cables above,” says Parul Agarwal VK, Senior Designer, Foaid Designs. “Raised flooring or serviceable flooring also allows fewer breaks on the wall, which is why most electrical engineers or contractors tend towards it. In fact, it is the easiest as it allows all cabling jobs to be completed in the very beginning of the project.”In residences and commercial spaces, raised access flooring systems also help solve the aesthetic flaws arising from slopes, explains Tushar Joshi, Founder, Utkarsh Vastukaran. “Height deviations are offset with height-adjustable plots and accumulated water is drained through open joints on the newly paved surface and then channelled down the waterproofed slopes to the drain.” In interiors where the layout changes frequently, modular panels that can be easily installed, removed and reconfigured make a lot of sense, he continues. “With raised floors, the infrastructure at the bottom can be easily accessed during restructuring.”Material paletteRaised access floors are usually made of steel, aluminium or wood core panels coated with vinyl or carpet for a polished appearance and extra longevity. However, Anil Badan, Founder and Principal Architect, Studio B Architects, says, “The choice of material will be influenced by the intended application and environmental considerations.” In Joshi’s view, the choice of material depends on the load capacity, environmental conditions and budget. “Heavy-duty materials are commonly required in areas with significant foot traffic or heavy equipment, and lighter materials are suitable for office spaces. Besides, choosing eco-friendly materials and processes helps contribute to the sustainability quotient of the interiors.”Consider the type of usage (office versus control room), the fire rating requirements, the budget and design aesthetics and the acoustic insulation demands when choosing the material, advises Nilesh Sawant, Principal Architect, Nilesh Sawant Architect.For instance, concrete panels offering strength and durability are ideal for high-traffic areas and heavy loads. Steel cementitious core panels offering exceptional strength and fire resistance are well suited to heavy-duty environments where durability and safety are paramount, such as offices, control rooms and high-load zones. Aluminium is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, suitable for work spaces and high-humidity settings. Calcium sulphate is commonly used in commercial areas for being heavy duty, non-combustible, moisture-resistant, highly stable and eco-friendly. Woodcore panels are lightweight, robust, cost-effective, and good for dry office environments. Vitrified tile-finished panels provide a modern, premium look with a seamless aesthetic that blends effortlessly into sophisticated designs in spaces like executive cabins, lounges and boardrooms. And advanced composites such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic are lightweight, strong and resistant to corrosion, moisture and all kind of chemicals. High-pressure laminates and porcelain or stoneware panels are other options.In commercial buildings, Jaideep Thareja, Founder and Principal Architect, Jaideep Thareja Architects, suggests using calcium sulphate panels and aluminium. “Access flooring is best served with wooden flooring as it is the easiest to remove and provide trap doors in it,” according to Agarwal. “Carpet tiles used to be a preferred material but have fewer takers now because of their maintenance needs and hygiene issues that came into the limelight during the pandemic. We do a lot of tiling and vinyl flooring, with metal trap doors at junctions that serve the purpose, functionality and budgets.”Coming to the finish, Badan suggests tailoring it to match the surrounding space. “The most common finishes include carpets, vinyl and laminates, all of which deliver a professional look,” he says.Best practicesImplementing raised access flooring is not just about choosing good materials – precise execution and planning are key, cautions Sawant. “Prior to the installation, confirm the slab load-bearing capacity through a structural engineer and ensure the subfloor is level and structurally sound.”Sandeep Chavada, Principal Architect, SC Architects, emphasises the need to use laser tools for even surfaces and to prevent squeaks or movement. “Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) coordination is a key precaution,” he adds. “Plan MEP layouts early to avoid rework. Also, maintain a moisture-free site for long-term flooring performance.”For fire-safety compliance, Sawant suggests using only non-combustible panels, integrating fire-stopping collars and maintaining fire escape routes. Acoustic control may be achieved by using gasketed panels or acoustic underlays to reduce footfall noise and considering laying out the panel to avoid squeaking and rattling in high-traffic zones.Investing some thought on the placement of the removeable panels and documenting these placements as well as the cable routes can help improve the outcome. “Strategically place liftable panels for easier maintenance and upgrades,” says Chavada. Finishing touches, such as ramps, skirting and edge trims, not only enhance the visual appeal but also contribute to safety and completeness. Sawant suggests using perimeter ramps, trims and edge supports for seamless transitions from the floor tiles to the walls.Brand optionsA plethora of brands offer different kinds of raised access floors. “Lindner Group (Germany) offers premium steel encapsulated systems with various top finishes while Unitile (India) offers customised heights and excellent mechanical strength,” says Sawant. “Kingspan Access Floors (UK) is known for precision-engineered calcium sulphate panels with steel encasement while Haworth (India) offers modular systems with durable finishes. JVP (India) supplies woodcore systems compatible with vinyl, laminate and carpet finishes. Interface, Shaw Contract and Milliken offer modular carpet tiles; Gerflor and Forbo have vinyl finishes; and antistatic laminates can be sourced from Pergo and Greenlam.”Greenlam Industries provides a wide range of wooden flooring solutions, affirms Joshi. “Welspun specialises in stone plastic composite flooring with innovative designs. Squarefoot is a well-known brand for its solid wood, engineered wood and laminated wood flooring. Mikasa provides high-quality wooden flooring for residential and commercial spaces. And Tankaria Industries provides reliable raised access floors in a variety of options such as calcium sulphate, anti-static laminate steel panel, etc.” Chavada has used Tankaria’s factory-laminated vitrified panels for their precision finish, versatile aesthetics and maintenance-free surface. Tankaria offers steel cementitious core panels as well as vitrified tile-finished panels. “These panels are engineered to withstand the structural demands of raised access flooring while delivering a refined visual appeal suitable for both commercial and residential environments,” he says.Badan lists Unitile, Gyptech Systems, Tankaria Access Floors and Nex Level Access Floor as top manufacturers offering unique solutions for versatile needs.Maintenance issuesLast, but not the least, comes maintenance. A raised access floor even if correctly installed may be of no use if it isn’t periodically inspected and maintained after it is put into service, cautions Joshi. “Panels should be checked for cracks, loose fittings and floor structure problems.”Raised access flooring in a hospitality projectUsing raised access flooring for a hospitality project ensured a clean, uncluttered aesthetic finish while discreetly housing electrical, HVAC and data cabling, says Anil Badan, Founder and Principal Architect, Studio B Architects.“Using a false flooring system (as opposed to false ceiling) allows for adaptability, making future modifications effortless. We opted for a wooden finish flooring for a warm yet sleek look, complemented by layered designs to enhance openness.”Raised access flooring in a bedroom“One of our residential projects features raised access flooring in a section of the master bedroom where a jacuzzi has been installed,” says Jasleen Chalotra, Founder, Design Essence.“Movable wooden steps leading to the jacuzzi conceal a maintenance shaft behind them,” she shares. “This approach efficiently conceals the jacuzzi’s mechanical systems without disrupting the clean, sophisticated design of the space, and allows servicing.”“We selected thermo-ash wood for the movable steps for its moisture resistance, thermal stability and aesthetic warmth, making it a durable, high performing choice for a high-humidity environment,” says Gurpreet Singh, Founder, Design Essence. “Thermo-ash wood offers a naturally textured surface that provides slip resistance. Further, we needed a material that could support the weight of the tub, water and user while maintaining stability over time.”In this project, waterproofing was crucial, requiring high-quality membranes to prevent leaks and moisture damage that could compromise the flooring’s durability. “Proper drainage planning was also essential, ensuring an adequate slope and easy access to maintain drain pipes,” adds Chalotra. “Adequate ventilation beneath the raised platform was necessary to prevent mould buildup, and ensure airflow and long-term hygiene.”Raised access flooring in a server room“In a large-scale corporate interior project, a multinational corporation’s head office in Mumbai spanning 10,000 sq ft, we designed and executed multiple work zones, including a dedicated server room of 250 sq ft, using raised access flooring,” says Nilesh Sawant, Principal Architect, Nilesh Sawant Architect.Located within the secure zone on the same floor as the executive workspace, the server room was designed to house server racks, networking cabinets, UPS systems and precision cooling units. “The false flooring was integral to conceal and manage the high volume of data and power cabling, to facilitate underfloor cooling systems to maintain optimal server temperatures, and to provide flexibility for equipment upgrades without civil work,” he adds.The floor was raised 300 mm to accommodate cooling ducting and cable trays. Sawant chose heavy-duty 600 × 600 mm tiles for the floor, as these are capable of supporting static and rolling loads from server racks. He chose steel-encapsulated cementitious core panels for the raised floor, with an antistatic high-pressure laminate finish with fire-retardant properties.“The panels are removable and have a secure locking system for access control,” he describes. “Cable cutouts with brush grommets allow seamless wiring. The computer room air-conditioning and fire and water leak detection sensors have been integrated underfloor.”Raised access flooring in a balcony“We implemented raised flooring (false flooring) on the balcony of a premium apartment to ensure clean routing of drainage and water management systems, while achieving a perfectly level surface for seating and relaxation,” shares Sandeep Chavada, Principal Architect, SC Architects. “Instead of traditional stone or tiled floors laid on mortar, we used modular vitrified panels supported on adjustable pedestals. This allowed us to conceal drainage pipes underneath, while maintaining a sleek and uniform surface finish on top.”He adds, “Raised flooring on balconies offers both functionality and finesse, especially in modern urban homes where design and utility go hand in hand. It’s a solution we continue to explore in more of our residential terrace and podium garden projects.”A variant method of false flooringA variant method of false flooring involves running service cables on the base flooring, topping that with sand and thereafter laying a flooring material that is openable at key junctions, explains Parul Agarwal VK, Senior Designer, Foaid Designs. “We’ve also used this alternative method in an existing building, by chipping conduits for the service cables in the existing floor, and then finishing the surface layer with the chosen material, creating trap doors at key junctions.”