Growth in your organisation can be both exciting and challenging. Although an increase in your inventory may be a sign of a healthy business, your warehouse may not have enough capacity to store it all! The good news is that warehouse expansion doesn’t have to mean costly new construction. Structural vs. rack-supported mezzanine floors can be your answer to maximising your available space without increasing your property costs. However, selecting the right type of mezzanine floor can be tricky.
As a decision-maker responsible for choosing the right storage solution, you may have to decide between a structural mezzanine and a rack-supported mezzanine floor. This requires evaluating their individual advantages against your organisation’s unique operational needs. In this article, we’ll simplify the differences between structural vs. rack-supported mezzanine floors, along with the main benefits of each solution.
Structural vs. Rack-Supported Mezzanine Floor Differences
Structural Mezzanine Floor: What You Need to Know
A structural mezzanine floor is created to stand independently, supported by steel columns anchored to the ground. It’s a resilient solution for warehouses needing a more permanent and heavy-duty structure because it doesn’t rest on the racking system for support.
As one of the country’s top structural mezzanine floor suppliers, Krost Shelving begins with a free site survey to equip our engineers to configure, install, and price the correct system for your warehouse. Our aim is to make your warehouse management task efficient.
Main Advantages of Structural Mezzanine Floors
Flexibility in Design
A major benefit of a structural mezzanine is its design flexibility. Its columns can be carefully placed to limit interference with organisational flows like machinery movement or production lines. Its adaptability allows you to construct a mezzanine that meets the direct requirements of your space. Our expert team can design the right mezzanine floor for your facility. Contact Krost Shelving today to learn more about how.
Heavy Load Capacity
Steel structure mezzanine floors are known for their strength. They are great for storing heavy machinery, storage pallets, or creating extra office space. Their independence makes them capable of supporting bulkier loads without straining existing racking systems.
Long-Term Durability
Structural mezzanine floors are value for money because they are built to last. Their strong steel construction makes them rock-solid so they can withstand years of heavy usage with minimal maintenance.
Future Modifications
Another important feature of structural mezzanines is that they are relatively easier to modify when necessary. You can effortlessly expand or reconfigure the steel framework of your mezzanine as your business grows while continuing with other operational activities.
Rack-Supported Mezzanine: A Cost-Effective Alternative
On the other hand, a rack-supported mezzanine uses the existing racking system as the foundation for the mezzanine floor. A rack mezzanine is a space-optimising and economical solution because it’s integrated into your current storage layout.
Versatile rack-supported mezzanine flooring systems that can partially or fully accommodate supported racks are available at Krost Shelving.
Main Benefits of Rack-Supported Mezzanines
Cost Effectiveness
A key benefit of a rack mezzanine is its affordability. It requires fewer materials and is typically quicker to install because the setup is built on your existing racks for support. Therefore, it is a relatively budget-friendly alternative for businesses looking to increase space without a substantial upfront expense.
Efficient Use of Space
Rack-supported mezzanines maximise vertical space without adding extra support frames. This is most useful for businesses that need to store additional stock but have limited floor space. You maximise the entire height of your warehouse by incorporating racking and storage into the mezzanine.
Quick Installation
A rack-supported mezzanine is faster to install compared to a structural mezzanine. It is therefore an ideal solution to expand your storage space rapidly. Using pre-existing racks lowers disruption to your operations during the installation process.
Ideal for Lighter Loads
Rack-supported mezzanines may offer a practical solution for space expansion, but they are best suited to lighter loads. Rack mezzanines work well in settings where products or materials do not require the heavy-duty load bearing of a steel structure mezzanine floor.
Comparing Structural vs. Rack-Supported Mezzanine Floors: Which is Right for You?
It’s important to assess your exact requirements when deciding between structural vs. rack-supported mezzanine floors.
- If your warehouse handles heavy loads and demands a mezzanine for long-term use, a structural mezzanine floor may be the better choice. The stability and customizability of this type of mezzanine make it ideal for more challenging environments.
- Conversely, if your primary goal is to increase storage capacity instantly and affordably, a rack-supported mezzanine could be the more suitable option. The cost savings and productive use of existing space make it common for many businesses.
Conclusion
The task of a warehouse manager can be demanding, especially when storage goods are multiplying. However, extending your warehouse’s capacity doesn’t have to involve buying another building. Opting for a structural mezzanine floor or a rack-supported mezzanine provides exceptional ways to maximise your warehouse’s vertical space. The key considerations when constructing mezzanine floors ultimately involve balancing your organisation’s needs, budget, and plans for space utilisation. At Krost Shelving, we supply custom-made industrial mezzanine floor solutions to help businesses like yours optimise their warehouse management.
