Mezzanine flooring is a great way to maximise floor space in your business. However, not all mezzanine floors are made equal — the structure is only as strong as the materials it’s made from.
Whether your manufacturing warehouse needs more room for shelving and storage, your service-based business requires office space, or the addition of an extra level will help your e-commerce business keep up with demand, mezzanine floors are the right fit. But for optimal functionality, you must choose one made of the right materials to suit your requirements.
This article looks at what mezzanine floors are typically made of and how each material compares in terms of strength, durability and style.
What Are the Advantages of a Mezzanine Floor?
A mezzanine floor is a freestanding structure built inside large buildings or warehouses between ground level and the ceiling. A mezzanine level helps businesses take advantage of otherwise unused space in their premises by creating an additional level using columns, beams and decking platforms. They are usually accessed by staircases and can be used for a variety of purposes, from office space to storage space for inventory or even for heavy-duty equipment storage.
Because they are freestanding, installation is relatively fast, and they can be moved if required. They also do away with the need for a business to relocate when finding extra space becomes a priority. These advantages make them a flexible, cost-saving space solution for many businesses.
Different Types of Materials Used for Mezzanine Flooring
At Advanced Warehouse Structures (AWS), we specialise in steel mezzanine floors because of their strength and durability. However, sometimes mezzanine flooring can be made of different materials for a variety of reasons.
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of several types of mezzanine flooring materials and their applications.
Steel mezzanine flooring
Mezzanines with steel flooring platforms are the most common choice in Australian commercial settings. This is because, in combination with steel components like beams and columns, steel flooring ensures the safety, strength, durability and flexibility of these space-saving structures.
One of the advantages of a steel mezzanine by AWS is the large range of designs we can offer. For example, an open-grid design allows for better light penetration, while a solid-plate design is best for heavy-duty requirements.
Timber mezzanine flooring
Easy to install and comfortable to walk on, a timber mezzanine floor is a cost-effective solution for businesses looking for extra storage or office space. Because timber doesn’t offer the same level of weight support as other materials, it’s not suitable for extremely heavy-duty applications. However, it is fast to work with and has a long lifespan if cared for correctly.
Concrete mezzanine flooring
Mezzanine floor construction using concrete offers the flexibility of being used for heavy loads such as machinery and manufacturing. However, it is more expensive than steel and the use of concrete means that your mezzanine can’t be moved easily.
However, this long-term mezzanine flooring option is very easy to keep clean, making it ideal for high-traffic spaces. A concrete floor also offers fire and sound resistance, so it helps to protect your employees and separate operations such as warehousing and administration.
Particle board mezzanine flooring
Particle board, often known as chipboard, is less expensive than other alternatives. However, it’s a low-quality material that doesn’t offer longevity. Often used to make furniture, particle board is particularly susceptible to moisture, so it’s a money-saving measure that we recommend against.
Why AWS Chooses Steel for Mezzanine Floors
With all these mezzanine types available, AWS always prefers to use steel for our storage platforms because it comes with several advantages.
1. Durability and strength
Although concrete can also bear heavy loads, it’s costly and doesn’t offer the same versatility as steel. AWS uses only the highest-quality Australian steel to manufacture our mezzanine flooring because nothing else is as tough.
Suitable for most warehouse mezzanine applications, we make our products, including shelving, racking, walkways and staircases, from steel because it has a high load capacity to withstand the harshest working environments.
2. Maintenance and longevity
Low-maintenance mezzanine flooring materials equal long-term cost savings. Offering high performance over extended periods, investing in a mezzanine floor made of high-quality steel means you don’t have to worry about the longevity or safety of your structure.
3. Customisation options
Steel flooring offers design flexibility, meaning your mezzanine can be manufactured to meet the specific requirements of your business. AWS can customise your mezzanine floor to be quieter, with perforated steel flooring designs, or design an open-grid steel mezzanine floor to ensure light still reaches the ground floor.
AWS can design your mezzanine floor to any size or height, helping you to take advantage of the vertical space in your warehouse or building while freeing up floor space below.
Weighing Up Design, Durability and Cost Factors
When it comes to choosing the best material for your mezzanine floor, the price of materials, as well as how you plan to use the space should be key considerations.
The next thing to consider is load capacity. For example, a production floor will require a greater load capacity than retail space. You should also consider the working environment. If your business deals with chemicals, for example, steel flooring offers workers a greater level of protection and safety than timber or concrete flooring.
Rise to the Top of Your Industry with an AWS Mezzanine
Now you have a better understanding of mezzanine floor options and what you may need for your own business, the next step is to secure a quote for a customised storage solution from the expert team here at AWS. We will work with you to design a structure that’s built to last.
As Australia’s leading specialists in warehouse structures, we’re here to help you maximise your space as quickly as possible. Call us on 1300 883 136 today!