Flooring Over Raised Access Floors
Raised access flooring is a practical and future-ready solution used across many modern commercial spaces. At PDQ, we regularly work with raised access floors on office and commercial projects, installing floor finishes that allow easy access to the subfloor without compromising on appearance or performance.
On a recent PDQ project, we installed a combination of carpet tile planks and loose lay LVT over a raised access floor system. Both finishes were chosen specifically to allow straightforward uplift, making ongoing access to services quick, clean and hassle free.
What is raised access flooring?
Raised access flooring is a system where floor panels are installed on adjustable pedestals above the structural slab. This creates a void beneath the finished floor, allowing power, data, ventilation and other services to run below the surface.
Instead of cutting into concrete floors when changes are needed, individual panels can be lifted and replaced with minimal disruption. This makes raised access flooring ideal for offices and commercial environments where layouts and technology evolve over time.
Choosing the right floor finishes
Not all flooring is suitable for raised access floors. The key is choosing finishes that can be lifted and re-laid without damage.
On this recent PDQ project, we used carpet tile planks alongside loose lay LVT. Both products are designed to work with raised access floors and can be uplifted easily to reach services below, then reinstalled cleanly.
An added benefit on this project was that both finishes were a similar thickness. This allowed us to create breakout areas using loose lay LVT without the need for transition strips, giving a smooth and professional finish across different zones.
Carpet tiles on raised access floors
Carpet tiles are a popular choice for raised access flooring, particularly in office environments. They offer flexibility, durability and acoustic benefits, while making access to the subfloor straightforward. Here we installed ShawContract carpet tile from their Roam Comfortworx range.
If a panel needs lifting, individual tiles can be removed and replaced without disturbing large areas of flooring. This keeps downtime to a minimum and maintains a consistent finish.
Loose lay LVT on raised access floors
Loose lay LVT is increasingly used in breakout areas, meeting spaces and circulation zones. On this particular project we used a Moduleo LVT from the Matrix 70 Loose Lay collection.
Loose lay LVT offers the look of natural materials with the durability needed for commercial spaces, making it a practical option alongside carpet tiles on raised access systems.
Where raised access flooring works best and how PDQ can help
Raised access flooring is widely used in offices, commercial buildings, education environments and refurbishment projects where flexibility and future access are essential. It is particularly effective in spaces that rely on data, power and services that may need to be updated or reconfigured over time.
PDQ is a Northamptonshire based commercial flooring contractor delivering projects across the UK, including major cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. The team works across a wide range of commercial sectors, with specialist experience installing carpet tiles and loose lay LVT over raised access floor systems, ensuring long term performance and straightforward access to subfloor services.
When combined with the right floor finishes, raised access flooring provides a clean, professional appearance while making ongoing maintenance and access straightforward. If you are planning a commercial flooring project and need advice on raised access flooring or suitable finishes, PDQ can help you achieve a solution that works now and adapts for the future.
