Hardwall Cleanrooms vs Softwall Cleanrooms: Wall Type Explained
When exploring a cleanroom project, one of the first considerations involves choosing which wall type is most suitable for your new facility. There are three typical wall types; hardwall, softwall, and monobloc system, however, two of the most common wall types used within the industry are hardwall and softwall configurations.
In this blog, we explain the key differences between hardwall cleanrooms and softwall cleanrooms, the applications they serve, and how to decide which option is right for your project and space.
What is a hardwall cleanroom?
A hardwall cleanroom is built using rigid wall panels to create a solid enclosure around the controlled area. Businesses typically opt for hardwall cleanrooms when a stronger structure, a more permanent installation, or a more enclosed working environment is needed.
Hardwall cleanrooms are often chosen for production and laboratory settings where durability matters. They’re also a popular choice for facilities that require additional modifications and fixtures including transfer hatches, shelving, flooring, breakout panels, and multiple door positionings – perfect for applications that require more equipment and structured processes.
The hardwall structure is commonly manufactured and assembled using materials including polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETg) panels and either aluminium or stainless steel framing, offering superior impact strength and durability, low moisture absorption, and easy cleaning and maintenance. For more information on cleanroom framing and how stainless steel compares to aluminium, read our blog.
Why use a hardwall cleanroom?
- More robust, impact-resistance structure
- Durable finish that is easy to clean and maintain
- Better suitability for regular use and more permanent installations
- Improved visibility and light transfer where clear panels are used
These features and benefits make hardwall cleanrooms a strong option where long-term performance and a more substantial enclosure are important.
Which industries and applications are hardwall cleanrooms suited to?
Hardwall cleanrooms are often used in sectors including pharmaceuticals, medical device manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, and laboratory environments. They’re well suited to applications where the cleanroom is in regular use, where a more durable enclosure is needed, or where the installation forms part of a longer-term setup.
What is a softwall cleanroom?
A softwall cleanroom uses a framed structure with malleable, PVC curtain wall panels that allows for easy cleaning, contamination control, and seamless access and passage for cleanroom operators. They offer a practical way to create a controlled space without the heavier construction of a hardwall system.
These cleanrooms have multiple construction options depending on your application and requirements. For instance, softwall cleanrooms can be installed with fixed feet to provide a more permanent structure, or fitted with lockable castors to allow easy movement over large and heavy machinery that require clean conditions when in use.
Softwall cleanrooms are often chosen where flexibility, mobility, fast installation, and lower upfront cost are priorities. They can be especially useful for businesses that need to create a clean working area on or around existing machinery or within an existing space.
Why use a softwall cleanroom?
- More economical option for creating a controlled area
- Faster installation and easier reconfiguration
- Mobile and versatile with the ability to move over equipment and machinery
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Flexible access, with panels that help reduce the risk of particles entering
These features and benefits make softwall cleanrooms a strong option where flexibility, speed, and cost are key factors in the decision.
Which industries and applications are softwall cleanrooms suited to?
Softwall cleanrooms are often used in light manufacturing, assembly, packaging, inspection, and pilot operations. They are usually a good fit for applications that need cleaner conditions quickly, where layouts may need to change over time or where a fully rigid structure is not necessary.
Hardwall cleanrooms vs softwall cleanrooms
Hardwall cleanrooms use rigid panels to create a stronger, more fixed enclosure. Softwall cleanrooms use flexible curtains to create a lighter, more adaptable controlled space.
That difference affects more than appearance. It shapes the cleanrooms mobility, how easily it can be adjusted, and how well it suits the surrounding environment.
Hardwall is often the better option where the cleanroom will be in constant use or where a more durable, established solution is needed. Softwall is often the better fit where speed, flexibility, and mobility matter more.
Despite their differences, both hardwall and softwall cleanrooms are both modular options, allowing for easy expansion and modifications as your needs and applications develop, without compromising performance and keeping costs to a minimum.
For many applications, a predesigned cleanroom can be a practical alternative to a fully bespoke solution. It can reduce complexity at the specification stage, support faster installation, and provide a clearer starting point for businesses that already know the level of control they need.
Whether the priority is a robust hardwall cleanroom or a more flexible softwall system, the right solution ultimately depends on the process, the space, and how the cleanroom will be used day to day.
Key considerations
When choosing your cleanroom wall type, the best choice for your application usually comes down to a few practical questions:
If yes, then a hardwall cleanroom may be the more suitable option.
Whilst hardwall and softwall cleanrooms are both modular options that can be adapted as your needs develop, the softwall cleanroom is particularly versatile and easy to dismantle and maneuver.
Softwall cleanrooms can be built on castors, allowing you to easily wheel over any machinery that requires a controlled space.
Both the hardwall and softwall cleanroom options are designed to be easily and quickly installed into your existing space.
Ready to start your next project?
If you’re planning a new project, and are currently deciding between a hardwall or softwall cleanroom, we can help you identify the most suitable option for your application.
Contact our team today to discuss your requirements and find the right solution for your space.
