Paragon Food Equipment's Buying Guide to Commercial Refrigeration, Ice & Beverage Equipment

58

Breaking Down Walk-ins

Panels are the building blocks of walk-in coolers and freezers. The two most common types are foamed-

in-place polyurethane and extruded polystyrene. The choice of panel depends on the durability and

insulation efficiency you require. Foamed-in-place polyurethane typically has a higher R-value making

it very efficient for walk-in panels, while the Extruded Polystyrene is more resistant to water penetration

compared to other forms of polystyrene.

Panels

Standard walk-in doors are 34 x 78” but they can be ordered in larger sizes to accommodate skids or

wider carts as needed. Doors can be ordered as a sliding door if space in the walkway is limited. Keep

in mind that non-standard door sizes will be charged as an upgrade to any standard walk-in size.

Doors

Flooring

in

walk-in

coolers

and

freezers must be durable and easy to

clean. Depending on your space, you

may or may not need a floor of panel

material. Walk-in Coolers that are in a

room with a basement or floor below

require an insulated floor while those

Walk-in Coolers that are on the main

floor with a concrete slab on grade

floor do not require an insulated floor.

Walk-in Freezers will always require an

insulated floor regardless of location in

your building. Common materials for

flooring include aluminum, stainless

steel, and galvanized steel and often in

checkerplate for added traction. The

key to selecting flooring is the weight

capacity. If rolling carts or pallet

jacks will be used, it’s important to get

floors with the proper reinforcement to

support the weight.

Floors