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When making a decision on which walk in cooler or freezer to buy there are many things that must be considered. In the following guide we hope to go through all these considerations and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.


6X8 walkin freezerWHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
1. Extruded Polystyrene
2. Polyurethane
1. G 90 Galvanized
2. Aluminum
3. Galvalume
4. Painted G90 Galvanized
5. Stainless Steel
1. Remote Systems
2. Pre-assembled Remote Systems
3. Standard Top Mount
4. Side Mount Refrigeration System
5. Saddle Mount Refrigeration System
6. Penthouse Refrigeration System
7. Roll Up Refrigeration System


Most walk in coolers and freezers manufactured today are constructed of foam insulation bonded between two sheets of sheet metal and come equipped with cam locking devices to allow the assembly of the panelized walk in on site.

There are a few companies that also provide a completely assembled unit that is delivered on a truck and dropped off at your location. These are usually for outside the building installations. Refrigeration systems are also usually provided in several types of configurations along with the walk-ins. These systems will be explained later.

All walk-ins coolers and freezers are designed to keep the products inside cold.

When considering the purchase of a walk-in you most likely will be looking for the following things.

1. A walk-in that will keep your product at the desired temperature whether cooled or frozen.
2. A walk-in that can be installed in a quick and professional manner and not have delivery and installation problems that can negatively impact your business.
3. A walk-in that is easy to use. The door should be easy to operate and the temperature and light switch easy to use.
4. A walk-in that uses as little energy as possible to get the job done and still keep your product at the desired temperature.
5. A walk-in that lasts a long time without structural or degrading door, insulation or metal problems.
6. Once the above are met you want to spend as little as possible to buy, install and operate your walk-in.

What you really want is value in you walk-in purchase.

Make your decision on your needs and not what someone is trying to sell you. All customers' needs are not the same; one product does not fit all.



Since the implementation of the new Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was implemented January 1, 2009, there are two particular insulation materials being used in walk-in Coolers and Freezers. These are Extruded Polystyrene and Foamed-In-Place Polyurethane insulations. Each insulation is constructed of gas filled cellular plastic foam and each brings with it different benefits to the customer.

1. Extruded Polystyrene- This insulation is used also in insulating underground concrete foundations and floors. It has a high initial R-value (R-32) and has a great moisture resistance and ability to retain around 47% of its R-value (or R-15) over the life of the product. It has great structural strength of up to 4 times that of polyurethane and expanded polystyrene. It is a little higher than expanded polystyrene insulation but about the same as polyurethane insulation. It is better than expanded polystyrene and polyurethane insulation if overall performance is considered. It is an insulation that will continue to pay dividends in energy savings for as long as you own the walk-in.

2. Polyurethane- Polyurethane is among many other things used as packaging foam and in the construction of walk through outside residential and commercial doors. It has a high initial R-value (R-32) but is less capable of moisture resistance and R-value retention. It can only retain around 19% of its initial R-value (or R-6) over the life of the product. It is a good insulation for manufacturing products that include intricate parts that need to be bonded together. Polyurethane has been used in the manufacturing process of walk-in coolers and freezers for many years..


Walk-ins come with several different types of skins depending on what the customer desires. Each of these skins provides different benefits to the customer.

1. G 90 Galvanized-This metal used to be the most popular choice for walk-ins but with its exorbitant increase in price over the last two years it has lost popularity. The G90 depicts the type of galvanizing with G60 having less resistance to corrosion than G90. G90 is the minimum needed in producing a walk-in cooler or freezer. It used to have the advantages of being reasonably priced but has become sensitive to price fluctuations. It is strong and more dent resistant than aluminum. Its disadvantages are the increase in price and the fact that it can develop “white rust” if it is not handled correctly in installation and if caustic cleaners are used. Once white rust has formed it can turn into red rust if not treated. G90 can be stucco embossed making it even stronger and also give it the aluminum embossed look that is sometimes desired in the market. G90 is usually provided in 26-gauge minimum thickness for walls and ceilings and a 16-20 gauge thickness for floors. Note that G90 galvanized floors are not approved for manufacture by the National Sanitation Foundation for food service applications. Galvanized floors however can be used if quarry tile is installed over the floor before use.

2. Aluminum- Aluminum as a raw material is more sensitive to price fluctuations. It is very resistant to corrosion except for salt spray and is not as strong as other metals and can dent very easily. Aluminum is usually provided in 40-60 mill thickness for walls and ceilings and 100-120 mill thickness for floors. Sometimes aluminum floors are 1/8th-inch thick and diamond tread-plate embossed to add further strength. Most of the time aluminum for walls and ceilings are stucco embossed to increase their strength.

3. Galvalume- Galvalume is steel coated with a combination of aluminum and galvanizing material. It has the strength of steel but is twelve times more corrosion resistant than galvanized. It is usually provided in a 26-gauge minimum thickness. It has a gray look that is usually embossed to make it look more appealing. Now, it is generally less expensive than both aluminum and G90 galvanized. If value is desired it is the product of choice.

4. Painted G90 Galvanized-Painted galvanized is more expensive than Galvalume but is more resistant to corrosion and has the benefit of providing a choice in color for customers who want the painted look. NSF must approve the paint system used for the walk-in to be NSF approved.

5. Stainless Steel- Stainless steel is the most expensive of all metal skins normally used in walk-in construction. It is the strongest and least corrosive of all the metals and usually comes in 24-gauge thickness. It comes in different polishes such as brushed and polished. Most walk-in coolers come with the brushed look to reduce the visibility of scratches.

Deciding on the which skin you desire depends on what features are important to you.















Cooler and Freezer refrigeration systems that are installed outdoors require a winter kit. This kit provide a compressor cover, a crank case heater to keep the oil in the compressor warm so the compressor will operation properly in the cold weather, and a fan cycle control with keep the head pressure at the proper levels.

Outdoor Coolers and Freezer need to have rain roof installed to prevent water from leaking into the box. A rain roof can be made of a single membrane polyester polyvinyl, chloride roof system with connectors and a drip cap for the door, or it can be metal flashing that installs over the roof seam to prevent water from leaking into the box.


Walk in coolers and freezers sometime come without a floor. Special precautions need to be taken to eliminate future problems. Walk-in coolers and freezers without a floor must be installed on a ground contact concrete floor. A cooler can be installed without insulating the floor and a thermal break under each wall panel but we recommend installing both. A freezer must be installed on an insulated concrete floor and must include a thermal break under each wall panel. To see the recommended example of a concrete pad for a walk-in check out this cooler drawings pdf.

An engineer or architect in your area will be required for the final design of your pad to meet local code approvals. If these precautions are taken you should have trouble free performance with you walk-in floor.


No matter what walk-in system you buy, one of the most important decisions is deciding which manufacturer to purchase from. There are many manufacturers of walk-in coolers and freezers. They all have their niche in the walk-in industry. The amount of service they offer the end user varies. Look for a walk-in company that has these traits.

1. The company should have been in business for at least ten years.

2. The company should have a good web site explaining the items they offer and information about the company.

3. The company should answer the phone with a person not an answering device. Answering devices are for their convenience and not yours. Should you call you should always be able to talk to someone.

4. They should have clear quotes with itemized listing of the items provided.

5. They should be very informative and pleasant on the phone and treat you with interest and respect.

6. Their location and shipping cost need to be clearly spelled out. Shipping is a very important item in figuring up front cost of the project.

7. Check the warranty clearly so that you know what is covered should problems occur.

8. Get references of other customers.

9. Make sure they are National Sanitation Foundation and UL approved.

10. The company should specify how the walk-in is manufactured with the types of materials are used in its construction.


Buying a walk-in cooler or freezer can be a large investment. Make sure you are totally informed before making a decision. Make sure you buy what you need and not what a salesperson is trying to sell you. Remember you are the one that will have to live with the walk-in you choose. Good Shopping!

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