What Are the 2 Types of Cleanrooms? Traditional vs. Modular

A cleanroom is a controlled environment designed to maintain specific levels of airborne particles, temperature, humidity, and pressure. It serves as the foundational infrastructure for high-end sectors such as semiconductor electronics, medical pharmaceuticals, and precision manufacturing. In the industry, cleanrooms are primarily classified into two categories: Traditional Stick-Built Cleanrooms and Modular Cleanrooms.

These two types differ significantly in construction workflow, cost control, and flexibility. boben Modular Cleanroom Manufacturers, a professional specialist in cleanroom solutions, focuses on the modular sector to provide customized environments that align with the fast-paced demands of modern production.

1.Traditional Stick-Built Cleanrooms: The Permanent Classic

A traditional stick-built cleanroom is a fixed facility integrated into the primary structure of a building. Its construction logic follows a “Civil Works → Decoration → System Installation” sequence. This process involves full-scale construction, including foundation work, masonry, floor casting, and ceiling installation, followed by the integration of HVAC and filtration systems.

Key Characteristics:

• Stability and Durability: Because they are integrated into the building’s architecture, these rooms are exceptionally stable and airtight.
• High Performance: Capable of maintaining the strictest cleanliness levels (ISO 5 and above) over long periods.
• Deep Customization: They can accommodate complex layouts, advanced vibration isolation, and specialized sterile isolation systems.

Limitations

• Long Construction Cycles: Projects typically take 3 to 6 months or longer, making them unsuitable for urgent production needs.
• High Initial Investment: The combined costs of labor, civil engineering, and specialized materials result in a significantly higher upfront price.
• Lack of Flexibility: These structures are permanent. If a company relocates or changes its production line, the cleanroom often becomes a “stranded asset” that cannot be moved or repurposed.

2.Modular Cleanrooms: The Efficient and Flexible Modern Solution

Modular cleanrooms are assembly-based environments built using prefabricated components. The core logic is “Factory Prefabricated + On-site Assembly.” All major components—including walls, ceilings, floors, and filtration units—are manufactured and pre-tested in a factory setting. They are then shipped to the site for rapid installation and commissioning.

Key Advantages:

• Rapid Deployment: By eliminating complex civil works, installation time is reduced by over 60%. A cleanroom under 200㎡ can typically be operational within 15 to 30 days.
• High Reusability and Flexibility: These systems can be expanded, shrunk, or relocated without damaging the existing building structure. The asset reuse rate is over 80%, making them ideal for leased facilities.
• Cost Control: Initial construction costs are 30% to 50% lower than traditional methods. Furthermore, optimized airflow and sealing can reduce operational energy consumption by over 25%.

boben’s Specialized Solutions

As a leader in this field, boben Modular Cleanroom Manufacturers provides solutions across the ISO 5–8 spectrum. Their products are tailored for specific industry pain points:

• lectronics: Enhanced grounding systems and anti-static (ESD) materials.
• Regional Adaptation: Precision humidity control systems designed for the high-temperature/high-humidity environments of Southeast Asia.
• Ease of Assembly: Standardized modules allow local, non-specialized teams to complete installations via simple video guidance.

3.Comparison of Core Differences

The choice between the two types depends on the enterprise’s development stage and specific production requirements.

Feature	Traditional Stick-Built	Modular Cleanroom
Construction Time	3–6 Months	15–45 Days
Flexibility	Permanent / Immobile	Relocatable / Scalable
Initial Cost	High	Medium to Low
Cleanliness Grade	Up to ISO 1	Up to ISO 4/5
Best For	Massive, permanent wafer fabs	Rapid expansion, labs, leased plants

4.Selection Logic: Which Type is Right for You?

When choosing a cleanroom type, businesses should evaluate their needs based on the following criteria:

1.Production Stability: Large-scale enterprises with fixed, long-term production processes and a need for extreme environmental stability often prefer Traditional Stick-Built designs.

2.Agility and Speed: If your business requires rapid commissioning, is operating in a leased factory, or expects significant fluctuations in capacity, a Modular Cleanroom is the superior choice.

3.Budget Constraints: For SMEs or projects requiring high ROI with lower upfront capital, modular solutions offer a more manageable cost structure.

Both traditional and modular cleanrooms play vital roles in modern industry. As global manufacturing shifts toward higher efficiency and flexibility, the adoption of modular systems continues to rise. boben Modular Cleanroom Manufacturers remains at the forefront of this transition, combining standardized production with bespoke services to ensure every facility is both cost-effective and compliant.