Spring 2015 Netfloor USA Retail Access Floor Design Competition

Netfloor USA is a manufacturer of low profile (and standard profile) access flooring. This flooring can be used in a number of different applications.

For this competition, we want entrants to focus on the use of access flooring in the retail environment and how raised floors can simplify wiring, cabling and operations of a retail facility.

The use of access flooring should be architecturally significant and integrated into the design of the space, as well as highly functional and beneficial.

The winning entry(ies) will be based on which submissions best illustrate not only the use of access flooring in a retail store, but how this type of system improves the design, construction and operation of the retail store.

The Competition

Entries will be accepted from students in the fields of: Architecture, interior design, electrical and IT fields.

Entries must utilize access flooring in their design. (An article on access flooring use in retail stores may be found here as a general guideline.)

Entries must clearly show how the use of access flooring simplifies or improves the operations of a retail store.

Format of Your Entry

At least one high quality, high resolution image of the envisioned space shall be submitted, along with appropriate narrative. A CAD or Revit type design file shall be submitted for the entry to be considered complete.

The image, CAD/Revit file, and narrative shall clearly illustrate the use and benefits of raised access flooring in a retail store environment. There is no length requirement (word minimum or maximum) for the narrative.

Any additional supporting materials such as a video entry, whitepaper, etc., are acceptable. Entrants agree their submitted material may be published by Netfloor USA at Netfloor USA's discretion.

Judging of the Entries

Since the requirement of the competition is to illustrate how raised acces flooring may be used in a retail environment, judging of the entries will be subjective.

Winning entries will be based on which entry best illustrates not only the use of access flooring in a retail store, but how this type of system improves the design, construction and operation of the retail store.

The Prizes

The winners of the competition will be selected solely by the staff of Netfloor USA, and their entries will be published on our website.

1st Place: $350

2nd Place: $250

3rd Place: $150

Deadline

The deadline for registration is February 27, 2015. The deadline for entries is March 31, 2015. The winners will be announced the following week on our website.

For More Info on Access Flooring and to Get Started

While we do not require your design/submission use Netfloor USA access floor products, further information on our products can be found here, here and here.

Additionally, CAD objects and images of Netfloor USA's flooring will be supplied to any entrant should they request them for use in their design.

For further information, please email us at: information(at)netfloorusa.com.

Thank you, and good luck!

We're constantly growing our floor finishes line to offer you the widest selection of access floor finishes, from wood, bamboo, tile, and more.

Each of our floor finishes has been carefully designed and built for the rigors of a commercial environment. Further, we offer specifications you simply won't find anywhere else! Product qualities that ensure success on your raised floor environment.

Why Do I Need Access Floor Rated Finishes?

Access floors (and the floor finish that goes on top) are subjected to forces that a standard concrete or wood subfloor never see. Your access floor has to withstand concentrated loads, rolling loads, seismic forces and more. While all of Netfloor USA's products easily handle these, it is just as important that your floor covering was designed to withstand these forces as well.

Putting a thin residential grade carpet on top of an access floor will not provide the desired results. Using a thicker, higher grade carpet will.

All of our access floor finishes are designed to be thicker, stronger and more resilient, making sure you get a modern and durable surface for your raised floor.

How Are These Raised Floor Finishes Different?

Thicker

They are thicker than a standard finish, which makes them more rugged and provides for a more uniform surface.

Stronger Backing

The backing or base of the finish, whether it is carpet, tile, etc., is very important. Not only does it provide the backbone and cushioning aspect of the floor, it helps overall stability and provides better uniformity when looking out across the entire space.

Proper Tile or Plank Size

When using plank type finishes, as you typically see in a wood finish, the industry standard is a narrow plank. With a raised floor, the plank size should be wider than 12", or better yet, 24". This allows for better structural integrity and uniformity across the entire floor.

Whether you are considering an access floor for a retail store, office space, data center, command control center, newsroom or library, the floor finish is a vital piece of the whole system. Give us a call or email, and let us know how we can help you succeed on your next project!

Netfloor USA is proud to announce that Ryan Hulland is now a member of CISCA (Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association).

CISCA is a leading industry organization that is:

"uniquely dedicated to serving the acoustical and specialty ceilings and interior finishes industry. CISCA provides market-driven solutions including dynamic networking, quality education, accessible resources and expert technical guidelines to enhance the success and profitability of our members."

At Netfloor USA, we believe it's more than just our products that make us the leader in low profile, cable management floor. It's our people, and it's how we treat our customers. We really care, and joining CISCA is just one of the many ways that we are involved with the construction and facilities management industries.

Because at the end of the day, it's not about the floor. It's not about the cables and wires. It's about making your job easier.

There's something BIG in the works at Netfloor USA. I mean BIG.

We're back from our summer break, which included some major brainstorming and product development meetings, and despite the fall chill that will soon be in the air, what we've been working on it HOT!

Now, we already offer the widest range of access flooring in the world, from 1" high to over 6 feet high, from concrete to polypropylene. But what we have in the works is huge.

So, why the teaser?

Well, we've always been about innovation. We took the access floor industry and turned in on its head. Everyone was used to the same old, same old. 2x2 grid, pedestals, drab grey floor panels. It's a good system, if you are a data center or industrial facility, but the majority of businesses are NOT. Most businesses fill their space with people, and with technology. And that technology needs to be connected to the people.

That's why our cable management flooring systems are so appealing to businesses. Businesses like call centers, offices for engineering firms, operations centers, broadcast studios, retail stores and more. More and more companies like this are installing access floors and seeing immediate ROI.

I can't say much more right now; I've been sworn to secrecy. Check back in the coming weeks and months for something amazing.

In the meantime, we would love to hear about your operation and see how one of our access floor systems can help improve the way you work!

Main image courtesy practicalowl

I remember sitting at the large table. Everyone there seemed a little nervous.

I tried striking up a conversation with the guy next to me. It turned into one of those awkward moments you have with yourself when you're on an airplane and the guy next to you doesn't want to talk. No big deal, but he left me hanging.

I didn't mind, really. Pre-bid meetings aren't the most exciting way to spend an afternoon. I was excited, however, because we had been working closely with the design team and the owner on this one.

Several floors of office space for design engineers, customer service, production management and marketing meant a lot of offices and cubicles. And THAT meant a lot of cables and wires.

Now, we've been designing and manufacturing low profile access floors for a long time, and there are a lot of people around that are successfully using them to simplify cabling.

But you're always going to have a more conservative person in the crowd, who isn't as familiar with cable management floors.

He was definitely in attendence that day:

"Do we even need the access floor in here?"

"We would prefer the floor," replied the owner's rep.

"Well 2 inches ain't much of a floor; how much can you fit in it?"

"There's plenty of room for cables," replied the engineer.

"Well it won't hold up. Too much weight on top," declared the gruff construction superindendent. He crossed his arms and sat back as if he had settled the very discussion he had started.

I spoke up briefly and explained the technical aspects of the floor system, how much weight it could hold, etc.

No reply.

Everyone else seemed ready to move on, but the superintendent didn't budge.

"You can't put your walls and offices on it. Just won't work."

The engineer perked up: "We have run the calcs; the floor is fine. We can build walls on it."

"When pigs fly!" cried the super. "When the damn pig flies!"

We're Healin'

In the past, access floors were always thought to be for industrial buildings. They're boring, dull and no one really cares. Some have been burned in the past; buying a raised floor that is too tall and doesn't fit their application.

At Netfloor USA, we're spreading the word: These floors can change the way you work. They simplify cable management. We've been making believers out of naysayers for years.

I get it, I really do. Most people are used to floor panels made of concrete and steel. They're heavy, but the perception is that they're very strong and can handle big loads.

But this guy at the table was about to burst a vein, and I knew I had to do something about it.

I took out my phone (yes, right in the middle of the meeting, how rude!) and flipped through my photos until I found the right one.

I handed my phone across the table to the superintendent. He paused. He saw the photo:

Update 12/23/2015:

We conducted another test of some Netfloor USA Access Flooring Panels. This time, we got video:

I was thinking of a story the other day, one where something bad was going to happen.

The fallout would be severe, with monetary damages and more than 1 person losing their job.

The people involved (let's go Dragnet-style and say: "the names have been changed to protect the innocent.") were doing a battery change out on a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) that serves a newsroom/broadcast studio.

They were following procedure in that the proper steps were taken to transition from bypass power to UPS power, keeping the electricity flowing to the cameras, producers' booth and broadcast equipment.

The only problem was, they were performing the transition during a live TV broadcast, something that was strictly against policy. The flip of a wrong switch at the wrong time could have left the entire studio dark, and countless viewers with a blank screen.

Not good. Not good at all.

Luckily (I don't believe in luck, but there must have been some higher power at work here), these guys didn't flip the wrong switch, and they transitioned the power back to the UPS smack in the middle of the live broadcast.

And the lights didn't even flicker. It could have gotten very ugly, very fast.

But what does this have to do with access floors and newsrooms?

If you've never been to a broadcast studio, it's an amazing sight. Everything in front of the camera is pristine. Everything is pretty, from the set to the people reading you the news. Behind the cameras, however, things aren't often so nice and neat.

There are wires and cables everywhere. Lights are flashing, producers have their hands at the controls. The back office usually has rows of cubicles where researchers, reporters, producers and designers work towards a singular goal: getting timely information that viewers need throughought the day.

The absolute last thing you need to worry about are the cables. The power cables, ethernet cables and video and signal wires. They help form the physical infrastructure that lets your team do what they do each day. They're very important, but they're just cables, right?

This is what we do every day. We have a passion for raised floors.

We know it's hard to get excited about a floor and running cables inside of it. That's OK, we get it.

What we get excited about, and hope you do too, is when you find out how access floors can make your job so much easier.

If you're familiar with raised floors and don't like the idea of tall, drab, industrial floors taking up precious space in your building, check out our line of "cable management access floors".

They're different because they're only a few inches high, and they have built in cable management trenches. It saves time and money.

You know, we've designed and installed access floors in all types of buildings, from data centers to office spaces, technology centers, libraries, hospitals, retail stores and more. They all have power and data cabling requirements. But few of those applications have the cable density requirements of a TV newsroom.

If you are a facilities manager or engineer for a TV station, broadcast studio or radio station, we can help manage your cable problem, so you can get on to bigger and better things.

If you have an older facility and are worried installing an access floor is too big of a project, get in touch with us and share your concerns. Yes, we work on a lot of new buildings, but we do plenty of rennovation work as well.

At Netfloor USA, we believe in making your job easier, and that starts from the first conversation we have with you. So please, feel free to give us a call (844-638-3566), email or use our contact form, and let's see what we can do together!

Image Credit: Trey Ratcliff via Flickr Creative Commons

We're working on a detailed article on proper access floor height, and it should be out in a week or two. 

In the meantime, I thought we'd put out a short primer on raised floor height, because it's one of the biggest, recurring issues customers face.

We briefly covered floor height in our article on access floor basics; it might be interesting for you to read if you get a chance.

So in order to get our creative juices flowing for the article on height, and to get you thinking about your own experiences with access floors, let's dive in!

Why Not Get a 12" Floor and Call It a Day?

It seems simple, right? The problem is, that some customers need to have underfloor airflow, and in our experience, 12" is almost NEVER enough!

12 Inches Is Not Enough

Once you start eating up that underfloor height with the panel, wires, cables, conduit and piping, you are left with far less than 12". Ask any mechanical engineer who specializes in data centers, and they will likely agree that no data center should have such a small air plenum.

12 Inches is Way Too Much

For others, twelve inches of floor height is simply too much. If you are not using the raised floor for airflow, why do you need a foot of space? Do your cables stack a foot high? Probably not!

There are better (and shorter) floors that are very useful for managing your cables. And it's all about managing cables and making your life a lot easier. Hint: Integral cable trenches are a lifesaver!

Do You Need a 4 Foot High Access Floor?

Probably not, but we still sell plenty of them for some very high profile clients. Hint: Did you find us via a web search? Hint 2: Did you see this post on Google+? (wink, wink).

Some clients, and thus some buildings, are institutional in size. We're talking 30 foot ceilings in some cases. That's plenty of room for a floor that is 4+ feet high. 

When you start getting that vertical, you have plenty of room for big chilled water pipes, as well as a maze of cabling.

***

Please be sure to check out our in-depth article on raised access floor height! And as always, we'd love to chat with you about your specific needs and how we can help manage your cable problem.