When you are looking to set up a spray booth in your workshop, it’s important to find the right style of extraction for you. The extraction refers to the type of airflow in the booth and can be either side extraction or rear extraction. Before deciding which one is better, let’s walk through what each type looks like.
What is a Side Extraction Spray Booth?
Side extraction is also known as cross draft extraction. The way that a side extraction spray booth works is by drawing air horizontally over whatever the object that you are painting is. There are filters within the doors of the spray booth called intake panel filters. These filters efficiently remove and collect the paint particles as the air is exhausted through the filters and into the exhaust stack. The filters help prevent paint build-up in the exhaust system so that there isn’t a breakdown.
What is a Rear Extraction Spray Booth?
A rear extraction spray booth functions similarly to the side extraction spray booth with the exception of how the air flows. In a rear extraction spray booth, the air flows from vents in the ceiling, through the booth and then out through filters and exhaust systems that typically run the entire length of the floor and then out the back of the booth. This can help keep your spray work looking cleaner.
Which is Better?
Both types of extraction will work, but the rear extraction booth provides the best airflow style for keeping control of the overspray and contamination. For starters, the airflow doesn’t have to fight gravity or bass by the painter. Instead, it is assisted by gravity and carries the overspray directly into the exhaust pit. Because the exhaust pit runs through the entire floor, that overspray doesn’t have to pass by other parts of the item that is being painted before it is filtered.
Both types of extraction methods for spray booths work quite well, but if you are looking for the best one for larger projects, the rear extraction is the way to go. No matter what your spray booth needs, it’s important to talk to the professionals and help them understand exactly what type of projects you will be working on. If they have a good understanding of what you do, they will be able to help you choose the best booth for you and your business.
At Haltec, we offer a range of paint booth options for your needs, with all types of extraction. Contact us today to learn more.
