Warehouse Mezzanine Systems And Platforms

Go to any big city, and you’ll likely see many skyscraper buildings dotting the skyline. It’s for good reason – when people began flocking into cities, they had nowhere to build but up to accommodate growing populations. Similarly, in warehouses, the introduction of mezzanines mirrors this vertical expansion. Mezzanines efficiently utilize vertical space, alleviating ground floor congestion and elevating certain operations.

In this post, we’ll discuss the various things that go into selecting the right mezzanine system or platform for your warehouse. Read on to learn more:

Warehouse Mezzanine Systems and Platforms: What You Need to Know

Before you get into the nitty-gritty of a warehouse mezzanine, it can be suitable for you to do some homework on what you’ll be using the mezzanine space for. For instance, is it going to act as a storage space mezzanine primarily? Are you planning to put offices or meeting spaces in the mezzanine? Is it intended to serve a flexible purpose based on your needs at specific periods of the year? Know what sort of purpose you want your mezzanine to serve, and it will dictate many of the other items we’ll discuss in this post.

Design

The design of warehouse mezzanines is more wide-ranging than you may initially think. They can be open or enclosed. They can be multi-levels or just one level (a feature that largely depends on the height of your building). They can be made of structural or galvanized steel. The stair systems can be designed according to your warehouse layout. Even shelving and rack alignment can be designed and built accordingly.

Flooring and Decking

The warehouse mezzanine floor space is another important aspect to consider when planning this level for your warehouse. Here’s an overview of some of the most common types of mezzanine floors in the warehouse:

• Composite decking: Arguably the most popular option, composite decking offers a flat surface for operation and tends to be long-lasting. It’s available in various thicknesses and can be installed directly over the steel base. What’s nice about composite decking is its strength. It can accommodate repetitive use from common warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks, dillies, and more.
• Plywood: Plywood is a durable and economical flooring option. While it can’t stand up to the wear and tear of warehouse equipment like composite decking can, it’s an ideal option for offices or meeting spaces incorporated into the mezzanine level. A similar flooring option is OSB sheathing.
• Bar grating: An open grid deck, bar grating flooring is strong and versatile. It’s often a preferred flooring option for large mezzanine areas in warehouses, as the open grid nature allows light to shine below and air from the HVAC system to circulate. It also often means warehouses won’t have to install a lower-level sprinkler system.
• Diamond plate: This steel surface flooring tends to be preferred for mezzanine levels that endure heavy foot traffic or heavy-duty equipment.
• Concrete: While pouring concrete floors is likely to add significant cost to any mezzanine level, it’s the best option if you intend for this level to endure heavy-duty equipment. Simply put, this is the only flooring option on this list that can match the strength and durability of concrete. What’s more? Concrete has other great properties that make it desirable, such as sound deadening and fire resistance.

Contact A-Lined Handling Systems Today

Contact A-Lined Handling Systems today for more information on industrial mezzanines for warehouses and some of the design and building considerations that should go into such an addition. As experts in material handling and warehouse design solutions, we make it our mission to understand your warehouse space, budget, and preferences to build the mezzanine area that works best for your facility. Contact us today for more information and to get started.