A mezzanine building / floor is a raised platform that is independent of a building structure and is supported by steel columns. Mezzanine flooring can create additional floors of space for a variety of different uses such including storage or extra office space. Mezzanine floors are a very quick and cost effective way to create new space with little expense and inconvenience of relocation.

A steel structural mezzanine building floor utilises the overhead space in your existing premises with the minimum of disruption and in most cases without the need for planning permission. It is fully customised to a organisation’s own specific needs, available in a wide range of floor surfaces and sizes to maximize and improve space in order to get the best use from the total volume of the premises. A mezzanine floor can cope with many different applications, from light storage to the support of very heavy machinery.

There are a few different types of mezzanines; including stick built, fiberglass, and rack-supported. In general, the two most common types of mezzanines are cold rolled and structural steel. Understanding the differences in the way the two types of mezzanines are manufactured is crucial to ensuring you choose the right product for the job.

Structural steel mezzanines are constructed of hot rolled structural I-beams which connect in a post-and-beam manor to I-beam columns. Open web bar joists are then used to construct the sub-floor support. While structural steel mezzanines do have a higher dead load than cold rolled systems, they also offer major advantages. The most commonly required benefit of structural steel is greater column spacing. Instead of the limited 10 to 15 feet achievable with cold rolled, structural steel mezzanines can have column spacing over 25 feet as well as load ratings well over the standard 125 Kg/m2. This means when using a structural steel mezzanine system, more material can be stored in a smaller area – with more space for maneuverability underneath.

Mezzanine Building Systems can be finished with wet paint or powder coated. Cold rolled systems can be pre-galvanized whereas structural steel must be hot-dipped in order to become galvanized. Decking options for both systems include: decking sheet and plywood, bar grating, and plank decking. With structural steel, however, there is the added option of either finishing the floor in concrete or with Checker plate.