The UK’s digital economy is expanding at pace. With artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and big data driving unprecedented demand, the UK Government earlier this year announced £14 billion of investment to accelerate data centre growth and strengthen digital infrastructure. Analysts predict that total UK data-centre capacity could almost double by 2028, with major hubs emerging not just in London and the South East, but also in Scotland and the North West.

As this new generation of hyperscale and enterprise facilities comes online, one challenge is constant: managing heat effectively. Servers generate vast amounts of thermal energy; failure to control it risks downtime, reduced efficiency, and costly equipment damage. Effective airflow is critical to maintaining reliable, energy-efficient operations.

High-Capacity Floor Grilles for Extreme Airflow

We understand the unique thermal management challenges data centres face. Our high-capacity floor grilles have been developed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of mission-critical environments:

• Exceptional airflow delivery: capable of moving over 1000 litres of air per second to support high-density cooling strategies
• Optimised flow control: available with straight or directional airflow to target cooling exactly where it’s needed
• Proven structural strength: independently tested to BS13264:2001 heavy-duty grade, ensuring reliable performance under raised floor and equipment loads
• Seamless integration: designed to be compatible with all major modular flooring systems, simplifying specification and installation

This combination of high capacity, robust construction and flexible configuration makes Gilberts’ floor grilles a trusted solution for both new build and retrofit data centre projects. Whether the goal is to support increasing rack densities, maintain even cooling across aisles, or adapt airflow as layouts evolve, our products are engineered to deliver consistent, reliable results.

Complete Data Centre Air Solutions

Whilst our floor grilles lead the way in delivering high-volume airflow, they’re part of a much wider portfolio of data-centre-ready air distribution solutions. From precision linear and slot diffusers to robust smoke and fire dampers, high-performance louvres, and bespoke engineered grilles, we provide everything needed to build safe, efficient, and future-proof cooling strategies.

Our engineering team works closely with consultants, contractors and end clients to help optimise air movement from the earliest design stages through to commissioning. Each solution is rigorously tested and manufactured at our UK facility to ensure consistency, traceability and dependable performance.

To make specification simple, we’ve created a dedicated Data Centre Solutions mini-brochure, showcasing the key products most frequently used in these demanding environments. It’s a concise, practical resource for anyone involved in the design, build or upgrade of modern data centres.

👉 Download the Data Centre Solutions mini-brochure here

Why Choose Gilberts

With more than 65 years of innovation in air distribution, Gilberts has become a trusted partner on some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile projects. Our strengths lie in:

• Technical expertise: deep understanding of airflow, acoustics and thermal performance
• Adaptability: standard or fully bespoke solutions tailored to specific design challenges
• Proven reliability: products tested to the latest BS/EN standards and manufactured to exacting quality systems
• End-to-end support: from design advice and BIM resources to commissioning guidance

As the UK accelerates its investment in digital infrastructure, ensuring robust and efficient thermal management will only become more critical. Gilberts’ high-capacity floor grilles, alongside our complete range of data centre air solutions, give specifiers and operators the confidence to design for today’s needs while future-proofing for tomorrow.