When it comes to building a cleanroom, every detail matters from airflow to temperature to the type of shoes worn inside. But what often goes unnoticed is one of the most critical aspects of cleanroom performance: the materials used in its construction.
Cleanrooms aren’t built like regular rooms. The materials used must resist contamination, stand up to frequent cleaning, and support environmental control. Whether you’re constructing a new pharmaceutical lab, electronics manufacturing unit, or a biotech R&D facility, choosing the right construction materials is the backbone of compliance, performance, and long-term reliability.
What Makes a Material Cleanroom-Ready?
Before diving into the options, it’s important to understand what characteristics cleanroom construction materials need to meet:
- Non-shedding: Materials should not produce dust or particles.
- Chemical resistant: Must withstand harsh cleaning agents and disinfectants.
- Smooth and seamless: No cracks or crevices where contaminants can hide.
- Non-porous: To prevent microbial growth or absorption of moisture.
- Durable under cleaning protocols: Withstand frequent wiping, spraying, or fogging.
- Fire and thermal resistant: Depending on industry and safety requirements.
- Antistatic or conductive properties: Especially in electronics or semiconductor sectors
- Compliance: Must meet ISO, GMP, FDA, or other relevant regulatory standards.
The Foundation of Contamination Control
Clean room wall panels are more than just dividers they are central to the cleanroom’s integrity. They form the physical barrier between the controlled environment and the outside world. Choosing the wrong type can result in frequent contamination, increased maintenance costs, or worse failing regulatory audits.
Popular Types of Clean Room Wall Panels:
1. Sandwich PUF Panels
These are made of two metal skin layers with a Polyurethane Foam (PUF) core. Known for their thermal insulation and easy installation, PUF panels are widely used in pharmaceutical and food-grade cleanrooms.
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Excellent insulation properties
- Available with pre-coated GI, stainless steel, or aluminum skins
2. Aluminum Honeycomb Panels
These panels have a honeycomb structure inside, giving them high strength with low weight. Ideal for cleanrooms requiring lightweight but rigid construction.
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Good dimensional stability
- Ideal for modular cleanroom designs
3. Rockwool Core Panels
Rockwool-based panels offer superior fire resistance and sound insulation.
- Fire retardant properties
- Good acoustic insulation
- Suitable for higher-risk environments
4. Glass Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Panels
MgO boards are moisture-resistant, fireproof, and eco-friendly. They’re gaining popularity in next-gen cleanroom builds.
- Anti-microbial and mold-resistant
- High compressive strength
- Good for wet areas or high humidity zones
For all these types, the panel surface finish matters just as much stainless steel, HPL (High-Pressure Laminate), or pre-painted galvanized steel can provide the desired anti-bacterial and non-shedding properties.
If you’re looking for high-quality, compliant, and durable clean room wall panels, Ultrafil offers a wide range of panel solutions tailored to pharma, electronics, and food industry standards. Explore here
Ceilings: Holding it All Together
Cleanroom ceilings support lighting, HVAC filters, and sometimes even sprinklers or wiring. Like wall panels, they need to be:
- Easy to clean and resistant to corrosion
- Seamless or gasketed for air tightness
- Compatible with HEPA/ULPA filters and light fixtures
Aluminum grid ceilings with gypsum or HPL panel inserts are common. In high-spec cleanrooms (e.g. ISO 5 and above), walkable ceiling panels are installed for easy maintenance access.
Flooring: The Cleanroom Workhorse
Cleanroom floors face constant wear and tear foot traffic, equipment movement, cleaning chemicals, and spills. They need to be:
- Seamless and anti-slip
- Chemical and abrasion resistant
- Easy to clean and maintain
Popular Flooring Materials:
- Epoxy Flooring – Offers seamless finish, durable, and chemical resistant
- Vinyl Flooring – Comes in rolls or tiles; easy to install and maintain
- Conductive or ESD Flooring – For electronics and semiconductor industries
Most cleanroom floors have coving at the wall base to avoid 90-degree corners, preventing particle build-up.
Windows & Doors: Visibility Without Compromise
Windows and doors in cleanrooms serve both functionality and safety. They must:
- Be flush-mounted to avoid ledges
- Have double or triple-glazed panels
- Include automatic closing or interlocking systems (especially in airlocks or pass-throughs)
- Be made from materials like powder-coated GI, aluminum, or stainless steel
Glass used should be shatterproof and resistant to cleaning agents.
Pass Boxes & Air Showers: Supporting the Ecosystem
While not construction materials per se, these elements are part of cleanroom architecture:
- Pass Boxes: Installed into clean room wall panels to pass materials without personnel movement.
- Air Showers: Installed at entrances to blow off contaminants from personnel or carts.
These should be made of SS304 or SS316, depending on industry hygiene standards.
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Cleanroom Materials
- Choosing materials based solely on price
- Ignoring compatibility with cleaning agents
- Overlooking thermal/acoustic/fire performance needs
- Not verifying ISO/GMP/FDA compliance
- Neglecting panel flatness and tight installation joints
- Using porous materials or unsealed joints
Matching Material to ISO Classes
| ISO Class | Common Panel Surface | Ceiling | Flooring |
| ISO 8–9 | PPGI, HPL | Gypsum panels, vinyl grid | Epoxy or vinyl |
| ISO 6–7 | SS304/HPL, Aluminum | Gasketed ceiling tiles | Antistatic epoxy |
| ISO 5 or better | SS316, Non-shedding MgO | Walkable modular ceiling | ESD-safe epoxy |
Here’s a rough guide for matching materials based on cleanroom ISO classification:
Working With the Right Supplier Makes All the Difference
Even the best materials will underperform if not properly installed or maintained. That’s why working with a supplier who understands cleanroom validation, regulatory compliance, and modular cleanroom engineering is so important.
A reliable cleanroom solution provider will:
- Help you select the right clean room wall panels based on ISO/GMP class
- Offer end-to-end design, supply, and installation
- Provide calibration, validation, and maintenance support
- Ensure compatibility with HVAC, HEPA, lighting, and control systems
Final Thoughts
Building a cleanroom isn’t just about four walls and a roof it’s about creating a contamination-free, durable, and compliant environment. The construction materials you choose especially your clean room wall panels directly impact the cleanroom’s performance, longevity, and audit-readiness.
Always select materials that balance cost, durability, hygiene, and compliance and back them up with professional design and installation. It’s a long-term investment in quality and operational success.
FAQs
Q1. What are clean room wall panels made of?
Clean room wall panels are typically made of materials like PUF, aluminum honeycomb, rockwool, or MgO core, with outer layers of stainless steel, HPL, or powder-coated steel to ensure a non-shedding, smooth, and chemical-resistant surface.
Q2. How do I choose the right wall panels for a cleanroom?
The right clean room wall panels depend on your industry, ISO classification, fire safety needs, and cleaning protocols. Factors like panel core, surface finish, resistance to chemicals, and thermal properties should guide your choice.
Q3. Are Ultrafil clean room panels suitable for pharmaceutical and electronic industries?
Yes, Ultrafil provides modular clean room wall panels designed to meet the strict hygiene and regulatory requirements of pharmaceutical, electronics, biotech, and food processing industries.