Vinyl ESD floor tiles are probably the most expensive approach to "permanent" flooring, about $8 a square installed. VPI and 3M are reputable suppliers.
Let me digress on ESD floor "waxes", the earlier poster�s comments are well taken, but the biggest problem with these materials is that they require constant monitoring [because of the uneven wear characteristics] to even determine where the repairs are required.
Poured flooring ranges in price from $3 to 5 a square depending on the poured thickness [10 to 50 mm]. If you have a poured floor installed professionally it is a royal pain in the butt, but cause the installer will have to shot blast the floor, before pouring the material. Garland, Sauerisen, and 3M are well know names of materials suppliers. Each can recommend installers.
Other companies sell poured materials for the "home" installer. A close cousin to these materials is paint.
Carpeted tiles cost about $5 a square installed. Among the nice things about these materials is the ability to replace tiles. Cleaning is not as big of an issue as you�d think. VPI is the best know supplier.
Some companies tout the advantages of sheet materials. I don�t get it. Suppliers are: Lonseal 800.832.7111 fax310830.9986 Plastic Systems 508.485.7390 Freudenberg Building Systems 800.332.6672 Westek, at one time, supplied these materials, but I haven�t kept track.
Desco sell 4X8 foot "tiles" that cost about $100.
I�ve seen people use a black "paper" on their floor.
There was a thread on SMTnet a year or more ago where someone talked about using chicken wire on the floor.
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