Andreae Standard or High Efficiency? Choose Andreae Standard for low to moderate paint volumes where some fine overspray reaching the fans is not a problem. Choose High Efficiency if you spray at higher volumes, see overspray on your exhaust fans or stack, or need tighter emission control. High Efficiency stops 99.81 percent of overspray versus 98.2 percent for Standard and holds about a third more paint per square metre. Per kilogram of paint captured, the two cost about the same, so the High Efficiency premium is largely paid back in fewer change outs.
If you run a booth with Andreae filters on the exhaust wall, you already know why they’re the benchmark. The question is which grade to reorder. The High Efficiency version costs more per roll, and it’s fair to ask whether that money comes back.
This post skips the history and the basics. If you want those, read what concertina paper filters are or how Andreae compares with generic copies. Here we compare the two genuine Andreae grades AeroFlow Filters stocks, side by side.
Andreae Standard vs High Efficiency at a Glance
| Specification | Andreae Standard | Andreae High Efficiency |
| Filter efficiency | 98.2% | 99.81% |
| Paint holding capacity | 19.53 kg per m² | 25.87 kg per m² |
| Initial pressure drop | 12 Pa | 12 Pa |
| Final pressure drop | 128 Pa | 128 Pa |
| Construction | Pleated cardboard | Pleated cardboard with polyester backing |
| Filter class | UL Class 2 | UL Class 2 |
| Roll sizes | 900 mm x 9 m, 1000 mm x 10 m | 900 mm x 9 m, 1000 mm x 8 m |
| Price range (ex GST) | $95 to $114 per roll | $122 to $128 per roll |
| Suits | Semi downdraft and crossdraft booths, wall mounted exhaust | Semi downdraft and crossdraft booths, wall mounted exhaust |
What the Efficiency Numbers Actually Mean
A 1.6 point gap between 98.2 and 99.81 percent looks small. Flip it around and look at what gets through.
Andreae Standard lets through about 1.8 percent of the overspray that reaches it. High Efficiency lets through about 0.19 percent. That means roughly ten times less paint passes the exhaust wall with High Efficiency. That paint ends up on your exhaust fan blades, inside the ductwork and out of the stack.
The difference comes from the construction. Both grades use the same accordion pleated cardboard design, which separates heavier overspray as air changes direction through the pleats. The High Efficiency version adds a polyester backing that catches the finer particles the pleats let through.
Holding Capacity and How Long Each Grade Lasts
Holding capacity is how much paint a filter can take before it needs changing. Standard holds 19.53 kg per square metre, while High Efficiency holds 25.87 kg, which is about a third more.
Both grades start at 12 Pa and are due for changing at 128 Pa. So at the same spray volume, the High Efficiency roll takes longer to reach its change point. Your actual change out frequency depends on paint volume, transfer efficiency, paint type and booth airflow. As a rule of thumb, the same booth should get roughly a third more spraying time from High Efficiency before change out.
If your filters are loading up much faster than that, check the grade isn’t wrong for your volume. Also check the filter isn’t fitted back to front, and that air isn’t bypassing gaps and loading one area unevenly.
Does High Efficiency Pay for Itself?
Here is the useful comparison. Divide the price per square metre by the paint each square metre holds.
| Andreae Standard | Andreae High Efficiency | |
| Approx. price per m² (ex GST) | $11.40 to $11.73 | $15.06 to $16.00 |
| Paint held per m² | 19.53 kg | 25.87 kg |
| Approx. cost per kg of paint captured | $0.58 to $0.60 | $0.58 to $0.62 |
Per kilogram of overspray captured, the two grades cost almost exactly the same. High Efficiency costs more per roll because each roll does more work. On top of that, you change it less often, which saves labour and booth downtime, and you get roughly ten times less overspray past the filter.
Which Grade Suits Your Booth?
Andreae Standard is a good fit if:
- You spray at low to moderate volumes, such as smaller smash repairers or occasional refinishing
- Your exhaust fans and stack stay clean between services
- Cash flow per order matters more than change out frequency
Andreae High Efficiency is a good fit if:
- You run high paint volumes or multiple shifts
- You see overspray on exhaust fan blades or around the stack
- Your site has emission conditions from council or the state EPA
- You want fewer change outs and less booth downtime
Getting Overspray Through to the Fans?
Paint build up on fan blades or a stained stack means overspray is getting past the exhaust wall. Before upgrading, rule out the simple causes. Check for gaps at the edges of the filter or between lengths, since bypassed air carries overspray straight through. Make sure the filter hasn’t passed its change point, because an overloaded filter loses efficiency. If both check out and you’re on Standard, moving to High Efficiency is the logical next step.
Andreae Roll Sizes
| Grade | Width | Length | Area per roll |
| Standard | 900 mm | 9 m | 8.1 m² |
| Standard | 1000 mm | 10 m | 10 m² |
| High Efficiency | 900 mm | 9 m | 8.1 m² |
| High Efficiency | 1000 mm | 8 m | 8 m² |
Measure the height of your exhaust wall opening to choose the width, and the total run of filter you need to choose how many rolls. Note the 1000 mm High Efficiency roll is 8 m long, not 10 m, so allow for that when you reorder.
Is a Concertina Filter the Same as a Cardboard Exhaust Filter?
Yes. Concertina paper filters like Andreae are what many people mean by a cardboard exhaust filter. They’re made from pleated, perforated cardboard rather than fibreglass or polyester, and they hold more paint per square metre than most flat media. That’s why they’re the go to choice for wall mounted exhaust in crossdraft and semi downdraft booths.
Order Genuine Andreae From Australian Stock
AeroFlow Filters stocks both genuine Andreae grades in Australia, with daily courier services to all states. Shop Andreae Standard or Andreae High Efficiency by size, or ask the team which grade suits your booth and paint volume.
Shop Andreae filters by size. Call 1800 998 876 or email sales@aeroflowfilters.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Andreae Standard and High Efficiency?
High Efficiency adds a polyester backing to the pleated cardboard. That lifts efficiency from 98.2 to 99.81 percent and holding capacity from 19.53 to 25.87 kg per square metre. Both have the same initial and final pressure drop and suit the same booth types.
Is Andreae High Efficiency worth the extra cost?
For most medium to high volume booths, yes. Per kilogram of paint captured, both grades cost roughly the same, about 58 to 62 cents per kg. High Efficiency also means fewer change outs and roughly ten times less overspray reaching your fans and stack.
Are Andrea filters and Andreas filters the same as Andreae?
Yes. “Andrea” and “Andreas” are common misspellings of Andreae. Andreae is the brand name for the concertina paper filters used on spray booth exhaust walls.
What is a cardboard exhaust filter?
A cardboard exhaust filter is a concertina paper filter, such as Andreae, made from pleated and perforated cardboard. It captures overspray as air changes direction through the pleats and holds more paint per square metre than most flat media.
How often should Andreae filters be changed?
Change them when the pressure drop reaches the final value of 128 Pa, or when your manometer reading hits the booth manufacturer’s limit. Time between changes depends on paint volume and type. High Efficiency typically lasts about a third longer than Standard at the same volume.
Which Andreae roll size do I need?
Choose the width that matches your exhaust wall opening height, either 900 mm or 1000 mm. Then work out the total length from the wall run. Standard comes in 9 m and 10 m rolls, and High Efficiency in 9 m and 8 m rolls.
