The Advantages of an Expansion

When two distinctly separated spaces are needed, choosing to expand has the advantage of creating two distinct, unconnected surfaces. However, for most commercial and industrial facilities, this option presents few advantages as these buildings usually have high ceilings, and the unused space should be maximized first.

The Advantages of a Mezzanine

The main advantage of installing a mezzanine is the additional space gained by using the higher areas of useable space. Mezzanines are efficient, quick to install and profitable, maximizing the use of a building’s space while creating a distinct separation between two spaces. This optimizes space to a maximum for the least cost and without requiring a building permit. As a raised level, a mezzanine is just as robust and solid than a ground floor surface. It is made out of solid steel and can be customized to be more eye-catching, and can be used to store heavier merchandise and equipment, up to about a ton/m3. Whether to create a new storage area, an office platform or an area for machinery, a mezzanine can be customized to meet your needs. Various accessories are also available such as removable safety barriers, gateways, stairways, mezzanine slides, access ramps, conveyors, etc. Lastly, a mezzanine is modular, scalable and mobile, which means it can be transformed as desired according to changes in your industry, re-sold and even be moved into other warehouses if necessary.

The Disadvantages of a Warehouse Expansion

Expanding a warehouse’s ground floor has various disadvantages, like requiring a building permit. In fact, according to Quebec law, expansion work cannot be undertaken before a building permit has been requested and received. This requirement is often a major inconvenience for industries seeking to expand quickly in order to remain productive. The second main disadvantage of this option is its price, as expanding the ground floor can cost three times as more than a mezzanine due to the heavy work required, which is often expensive and surpasses a company’s budget.

The Disadvantages of a Mezzanine

Before and during a mezzanine installation, you must analyze the ground floor space and make the right choice in terms of what kind of mezzanine to use. There are mezzanines supported by posts, but these take up significant ground floor space and are often in busy traffic areas. There are also mezzanines on beams, which are just like having another floor on a second level. The disadvantage is that you have to reconsider the ground floor work area’s configuration, its traffic and ensure you have a clearly defined plan in order to be able to install the right kind of mezzanine for your needs. A company specializing in industrial warehousing systems can very easily and quickly propose a suitable solution for both the short and long term thanks to experts with experience in warehouse and workspace layout and design.