A Guide to Racking & Mezzanine Floors for Better Storage & Workspaces.

Your space is valuable and how you use it has a massive impact on not just on storage, but also business productivity, efficiency and your bottom line. Mezzanine floors and racking solutions are cost-effective and highly adaptable workspace solutions that help you optimise your space and have enabled many businesses to expand while avoiding the substantial costs associated with moving to larger premises. 

 

This quick guide outlines the benefits of both mezzanine and racking systems and some key considerations when planning a new fit-out. 

 

 

 

 

Mezzanine floors create an intermediate floor between floors of the building or your roof. The addition of this extra floor immediately expands your available building footprint. Many businesses choose to combine a mezzanine system with racking storage systems to gain budget-friendly storage that can be configured to utilise every centimetre of available space, even up to apex roofs. 

 

 

Vertical space is often dead space, but why not make the most of it when you’re already paying rent on it? Mezzanine floors unlock precious square  

metres, giving you the opportunity to expand with expanded office areas or increased storage. 

 

Mezzanine platforms offer unparalleled adaptability for almost any space, as your layout is designed according to your specific needs and can be  

expanded and re-configured over time as your business evolves. What’s more, if you own the property, adding to the building’s footprint and functionality  

will increase its sales or rental value. 

 

Overhead areas are often overlooked because they are inaccessible. Racking systems with mezzanines can help you transform unused ‘air’ space,  

meaning you can maximise your warehouse capacity without having to look for additional storage elsewhere. 

 

Mezzanine floors enable you to get creative with the space you have by creating functional areas within your existing building that you can use for  

offices, break-out areas, storage, production and even retail. 

 

 

 

 

Like anything in business, any change or improvement will require a budget. Mezzanine installations do require a significant upfront investment, however  

this will be balanced over time against storage cost savings, additional rent costs for larger or additional sites and improved efficiency. To get an  

accurate insight on what you can do for your budget, speak to our experienced Interiors team. 

 

Get an expert team to help you install mezzanine and racking systems as building upwards introduces complexity. All mezzanine construction requires  

meticulous planning and engineering expertise to ensure your project complies with all safety regulations. 

 

Your annual operational budget will need to accommodate for periodic inspections, upkeep and safety compliance. 

 

 

 

Racking isn’t just for warehouses and industrial applications. Racking shelving systems provide a more robust, safer and more efficient alternative to traditional shelving in all types of work spaces. 

 

 

 

Ground-level racking is a budget-friendly storage solution that maximises both floor space and storage for all types of inventory, from small boxes to  

pallets. By creating a more efficient storage layout, it allows more items to be stored in a given area than traditional shelving. 

 

Ground-level racking is accessible, stable and robust. Designed to securely hold heavy loads, they not only make warehouse operations more efficient,  

they reduce the risk of accidents and injury. 

 

Racking systems are straightforward and fast to install meaning business disruption and mess is kept to the minimum. 

 

Racking systems are simple structures but durable and designed for heavy use over many years. As a result, they have low maintenance requirements  

keeping ongoing costs to a minimum. 

 

 

 

 

1. Utilising Available Vertical Space 

Racking at ground level imposes height restrictions which can limit your storage capacity in your space. Vertical expansion options are limited by the  

space and type of racking, potentially hindering scalability as your inventory grows. 

 

Storage systems that have grown organically over time can lead to horizontal sprawl and an inefficient use of space. To optimise storage within a  

confined footprint needs planning and at times, creative solutions and very accurate measurements! By using an experienced team of storage planners  

(like the team at Phoenix Systems) you’ll be able to save time while gaining the most efficient storage floor plan, maximum space usage and eliminate  

the head scratching! 

 

Racking systems are a fixed structure, once they are up, the potential to adapt the system is limited. Re-configuration is possible as your inventory  

demands change but it will require effort and resources. To optimise your storage system for the long-term, it’s advisable to get an expert to plan your  

storage system for you, so that you can get the most from your space. 

 

When planning your interiors and storage project, both mezzanine with racking and ground-level racking systems provide a huge opportunity to make the most of your existing space. Whichever solution you choose, Phoenix System’s experienced team can help you plan to make the most of all your available space to maximise the return-on-investment for your budget. 

 

To get an idea of the types of racking systems available, check out our illustrated Racking Guide.