Choosing the right flooring for an office container directly influences the daily comfort, traffic resistance and behavior over time of the space. Whether you are talking about an administrative office, a construction site organization or a temporary space for public institutions, the materials must support real use, not just the ideal scenario.
In the case of office containers, the most commonly used solutions for the floor support layer are chipboard and tego board. Both materials have different properties and are suitable for different contexts. Below you will find a technical analysis, with clear advantages and limitations, so that you can make an informed decision.
What is the chipboard used in container flooring?
Chipboard (particle board) is obtained by pressing wood chips at high temperature, using synthetic adhesives. The thickness used is 22 mm.
Advantages of PAL
PAL offers a good balance between cost and performance for use in office containers. It is easy to process, allows quick assembly and accepts various finishes. The low weight contributes to the efficient handling of the container, especially in the case of quick assembly on the field.
The material allows for a uniform surface, suitable for installing laminate flooring or heavy-traffic PVC carpet. The dimensions of the boards contribute to the efficient coverage of the floor frame and to reducing the number of joints. The chipboard can be precisely cut to integrate the routes provided in the project and to comply with the established compartmentation.
For a fixed office with moderate traffic and standard furniture that you purchase and install after the container is delivered (e.g. desks, chairs, filing cabinets), the chipboard adequately meets the technical requirements. It can be chosen for administrative spaces, controlled-use construction sites, workstations or containers intended for activities with moderate demands on the floor.
PAL limitations
The material remains sensitive to prolonged moisture. If water penetrates the structure, the board may swell or lose its rigidity. In addition, concentrated point loads – for example, thin legs of heavy equipment – can cause local deformations.
For spaces where massive furniture is frequently moved or heavy technical equipment is used, chipboard does not offer the same stability as other solutions.
What is tego board and how does it behave in operation?
Tego board is a multilayer plywood made of cross-laminated wood veneers, glued with water-resistant adhesives (type WBP – Weather and Boil Proof). The top layer is covered with a phenolic film, which increases resistance to wear and moisture. The thickness used is 21 mm.
Advantages of tego board
Tego board is suitable for the flooring of office containers that are used intensively. The surface withstands repeated stress and helps maintain flatness in areas with frequent traffic. It can support office furniture, filing cabinets, rolling chairs and equipment placed in confined spaces.
The behavior to humidity and temperature variations supports the use in containers placed on the construction site, in areas with direct access from the outside or in office containers provided with sanitary groups. The structure of the plate limits local deformations and distributes the loads to the floor frame.
Tego board forms a stable base for laminate flooring or heavy-traffic PVC carpet. It can be chosen for operational offices, coordination centers and administrative spaces used for long periods.
Tego board limitations
The cost is higher, and the heavier weight can affect shipping logistics. Also, assembly requires attention to protect the top phenolic layer.
Direct comparison: PAL vs. tego
| Criterion | PAL | tego |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance to distributed load | Good for standard offices | Very good |
| Resistance to point load | Media | high |
| Humidity behavior | Requires protection | Very Good |
| Estimated duration of use | Average, under normal conditions | High, in intense conditions |
| Cost | Lower | Bigger |
| Recommended use | Fixed offices, moderate traffic | construction sites, frequent relocations |
Choose based on your actual usage, not just your initial budget.
Complete floor structure in containers produced by FDC Containers
The floor of the office containers produced by Containere FDC starts from 0,3 mm corrugated galvanized sheet, applied to the lower part of the structure. Wooden or metal beams form the resistance frame and support the upper layers. Chipboard or tego board is mounted over the structure, depending on the project configuration.
The final surface is made with laminate flooring or heavy-traffic PVC carpet, chosen depending on the purpose of the office space. Parquet can be chosen for offices that follow a look close to classic administrative spaces. Heavy-traffic PVC carpet is available in different models and colors and can be used in office containers with frequent traffic or that follow a modern interior design.
Depending on the project requirements, the floor plays a role in standard or premium insulation, each variant having a specific structure:
- As part of the standard insulation, the floor and ceiling include mineral wool, and the walls are made of 40 mm thick PIR foam sandwich panels. This type of insulation is recommended for an office container located in a region with a moderate climate, used temporarily or seasonally or intended for activities that do not require a high thermal level. It can be chosen for construction site offices, temporary administrative spaces, seasonal work points or offices used for the limited duration of a project;
- As part of the premium insulation, the floor and ceiling include double-layer mineral wool. The walls are made of 60-80-100 mm thick PIR foam sandwich panels. The premium insulation is suitable for a container used permanently, including in regions with large temperature variations, and supports thermal comfort in the workspace. It can be chosen for administrative headquarters, operational offices, coordination centers, management spaces or other types of office containers used throughout the year.
If you want to delve deeper into the subject, check out details about sandwich panel insulation technology.
Concrete examples of choice
For a office container 6×3 m Permanently located in a company yard, where 2–4 people work, heavy-traffic PVC-coated chipboard is an appropriate solution. Traffic is controlled, furniture remains fixed, and demands are moderate.
For a office container 8×3 m used on the construction site, with teams entering frequently and with the possibility of relocation, the tego board offers a greater reserve of resistance. Over time, the cost difference is compensated by stability and less frequent interventions on the floor.
Choose informed and request a personalized offerThe FDC Containers team configures your container exactly according to your needs, with premium materials and complete factory execution.
FAQs
What thickness is recommended for the floor of an office container?
For standard desks, 22 mm chipboard or a minimum of 21 mm plywood provides a stable base.
What finish fits over chipboard or plywood?
The most commonly used options are laminate flooring and heavy-duty PVC carpet. Both offer easy maintenance and good wear resistance, for administrative or construction site use.
When is the floor configuration determined?
The floor configuration is defined during the bidding stage. The choice of materials is made together with the other components of the container for full factory execution.
