A mezzanine can be an invaluable addition to any business or warehouse building, using the space between floors and ceilings to create storage, retail or office space.
Once you’ve decided to build a mezzanine floor, you’ll soon discover a variety of materials out there to fit your design. A mezzanine floor can be made from a variety of materials including timber, metal, concrete, stone, and tile, so which is the best for you? Here, we’re looking at timber and why it’s the best material for your mezzanine flooring.
Key Takeaways
- Timber flooring offers a durable, reliable material that will help your mezzanine level last for years in various environments.
- It can be the perfect way to add style to offices, retail space, or whatever purpose meets your needs.
- Building with timber is quicker than other materials.
- Timber flooring, along with a steel frame, offers platforms with high storage capacity for inventory, machinery, equipment and/or other items.
- Each part of the mezzanine can be custom designed, including handrails and a staircase, to suit your location and various industries.
What are the different types of mezzanine floor materials used in warehouses?
There are many materials that can be used to build mezzanine floors including:
- Timber
- Steel
- Chipboard
- Laminate Floor
- Cork floor
- Compressed Concrete fibre
- Concrete
Timber
Timber is the classic definition of a strong, sturdy material, the application of which suits a variety of purposes. Not only is installation quick, but maintenance is minimal, with well-looked-after timber floors having an expected lifespan of 50+ years.
The work environment can put your floor space through a lot, leaving scratches, spills, scuff marks and more. Timber, whether it’s hardwood or plywood, can be easily restored. It adds an elegant, professional look to the office mezzanine floor and your premises, or you can install a carpet over the top if that’s what you prefer. Timber flooring also provides a natural thermal insulator, meaning your floor will retain warmth in winter and won’t retain heat in summer. Timber is ideal for offices, can hold heavy loads and supports shelves and racks.
Timber is easier to install than other materials and is hypoallergenic. You can add carpet or vinyl over a timber floor, and you may require it to add a sound barrier and cushioning.
Chip Board
Chipboard, often called particle board, is an engineered wood sometimes used in decking and shelving. Though it may appear similar to plywood or a composite material, it is a less expensive, lower-quality material. The manufacturing of chipboard involves using wood chips or sawdust, gluing them together with synthetic resin or binder, and shaping them into boards. While it does have lower production costs than other materials, it is a case of getting what you pay for. Unfortunately, the combination of the chip board’s lack of storage capacity and vulnerability to moisture makes it one of the lesser options for your mezzanine floor. If a company uses particle board, it’s a cost-cutting measure you could end up paying for down the line.
Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is an affordable option for office space that can look great and can reduce sound. It is quite a light, soft material and can scratch or damage quite easily, making it a poor choice for storage levels as the cork will dimple under a heavy load. The installation process is similar to installing tiles, which can be labour-intensive and will cost extra.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is often seen as a shortcut to achieving a hardwood or timber look. The biggest downside of laminate flooring is that, unlike timber, it cannot be refinished, due to its composite design. This means that once your laminate flooring is damaged, you either have to live with it or replace that part of the floor. Depending on the amount of replacement, the initial low price may not be worth it.
Steel
Steel is a fantastic material for mezzanine floor construction, especially within the mezzanine structure, such as the framework, posts, supports and columns. This is because it is the strongest building material available, having 8x the level of strength of concrete with the efficiency of being easy to install and reuse. Whether you choose to increase the storage capacity of your mezzanine floor or need an office area, a combination of steel and timber will provide some security to your structure.
Concrete
A popular option, the advantage of a concrete floor is strength and durability. Concrete is heavy and while this weight shouldn’t be an issue for correctly designed mezzanines, it can lead to structural damage and safety concerns if the frame or floor cannot support this. Concrete flooring is more commonly used for immovable mezzanines, making it a less viable option for those renting or looking to move in the future.
Bar grating
Recognisable by their distinct pattern caused by intersecting bars. The advantages of bar grating include being a strong metal material that is very low maintenance. Most commonly used on walkways and storage areas, it’s a flooring option that’s good for specific uses, while lacking the versatility of steel or wood. The disadvantages are it only works for certain applications. For example, it doesn’t suit an office environment. It’s also not as aesthetically pleasing as other flooring options.
Compressed Concrete Fibre
Compressed concrete is a mixture of concrete, cellulose fibre, finely ground silica and water manufactured under high-pressure compression. This design process creates a strong material that is resistant to moisture, fire and is termite resistant. The downside of compressed concrete fibre is it’s difficult and expensive to install and requires a lot of maintenance. Its manufacturing process also isn’t environmentally friendly.
Why timber is the most powerful mezzanine floor material for your warehouse
Timber flooring is a great long-term investment with many benefits. It’s a strong and durable type of material that is fantastic for either a storage space or office space. When it is damaged, it’s easier to restore than other cheaper materials and, with minimal maintenance, will last you for decades.
From an aesthetic view, wood just looks great. There’s a reason people love wooden furniture, houses and structures. It has a warmth to it other materials don’t quite capture. Perfect for a range of settings, timber offers an ideal solution for your requirements. We can also custom-build timber floors to suit the height and length of your facility.
Not all mezzanine floors are built with timber – so find the best supplier
When you build a warehouse mezzanine, you want the best materials. Cheap materials and products may save you a few dollars now, but in the long run, will come back to bite you with repair and maintenance costs. That’s why we focus on value for money, products that pay off in the short and long term.
Our customers expect the best engineering and designs for their businesses and our staff are here to deliver. With decades of experience working in a wide variety of buildings, Advanced Warehouse Structures has got the goods when it comes to mezzanine design that prioritises functionality, protection for your workers and style.
Whatever your warehousing requirements, whether it’s more storage space or a need for office space, our experts have the flexibility to design the best mezzanine floor for you and your business. For more information or to discuss your mezzanine, get in touch with our friendly team today!