Industrial Mezzanines

Product Description

MEZZANINES VS. PALLET RACKING. AN HONEST COMPARISON

Considering Meriton’s 20 year track record of serving hundreds of warehouses and distribution centres each year, it’s not surprising that we get asked a lot of questions.

The current industrial space shortage drives our customers to look for innovative ways to make more room in their current warehouses.

A common question today is:

We need more space! Should we install a mezzanine?

That might make a lot of sense, considering that the updated figures for Q3 2021 show Montreal as having a 1.0% industrial vacancy rate. (Colliers Canada) Many businesses are focussed on making top use of their current space.

Step 1. Be clear and specific about why you want a mezzanine

Let’s look at whether a mezzanine is the best option for your facility, or if you’d be better off rethinking your pallet racking. There are several factors that could influence your decision.

We’ve done a comparison on two ways to stock goods: Mezzanines and Pallet Racking, to help you make the best decision for your facility.

The pros and cons of pallet racking

Pros of pallet racking

  • Designed for the purpose
  • Economical
  • Flexible (able to be modified as your needs change)
  • Quick install time
  • Take it with you when you relocate
  • Many options for increasing the density of your storage

1. Purpose-built and designed

Pallet racking is designed, manufactured and installed with the one clear objective of safely supporting your heavy loads.

2. Economical

A cost-effective way to store goods.

Our most expensive racking systems, such as Push-back racking, only costs between $300 and $400 per pallet position, compared to $1,000 or more for the same pallet on a mezzanine. Of course there are variables – the price of steel tends to fluctuate and this will affect the price.

3. Flexible (able to be modified as your needs change)

Pallet racking grows with your business. It can always be reconfigured, added to or swapped out for taller, wider or more state-of-the art racking

4. Quick install time

Meriton has been known to be onsite, ready to install pallet racking within 3 days of getting the purchase order and an approved scope of work. Read this case study to find out how we did it.

Of course, not everybody has the supplies on hand like we do.

5 Take it with you when you relocate

If your lease expires or you need to move to a different facility, your pallet racking can move with you.

Cons of pallet racking

  • If you already have Very Narrow Aisles (6’) or another high density racking such as push-back, you may have maximized what you can do with racking.
  • If the only available space in your warehouse is over top of a production area, adding racking might not be an option, and a mezzanine might be your only choice.
  • In general not ideal for small parts storage, as pickers will have to share aisles with forklifts

The pros and cons of a mezzanine

Pros of a mezzanine

  • Utilize unused space above your facility
  • Versatile – can be used for professional space

1. Utilize unused space – a mezzanine as a work platform

Is there empty space above your warehouse or pick and pack area? You can (theoretically at least) double your floorspace. Even if it isn’t practical to build a mezzanine over the whole open area of your shop, a mezzanine could still add valuable space to your facility.

2 Versatile – Free up warehouse or distribution centre space

When warehouse space is at a premium, look around and assess whether any operations could be done on a mezzanine.

Mezzanines are versatile, and some can be used for professional space.

Could you transfer lunch rooms, offices or conference rooms to a mezzanine? Or use it to increase picking capacity for small parts and e-commerce? Valuable floorspace would then be freed up for pallet racking.

Cons of a mezzanine

  • Higher cost
  • Inefficient if used only for storage space
  • Difficult to bring with you if you relocate

1. Mezzanines can be expensive

How much does a mezzanine cost?

In general, mezzanines run at between $65 and $75 dollars per square foot. That works out to over $1,000 per pallet position (4’ x 4’ space), which is very expensive compared to the cost of per pallet position of racking. In comparison, selective racking can cost as low as under $100 per pallet position.

What makes the price go up for a mezzanine?

  • Square footage (Deck length X width) The larger the deck size, the higher the cost.
  • Design – an irregular shaped mezzanine will be more costly than a square or rectangular one.
  • Weight-bearing capacity. A design requiring more than the standard load of 125 pounds per square foot will need stronger horizontal beams to support the weight. The beams will therefore need to be larger which means more material and consequently a higher cost for the mezzanine.
  • Custom features. What is the purpose of this mezzanine? Even a simple platform for storage probably needs safety fencing. Add to that stair access, forklift access and gates that allow for the safe transfer of goods.

2. Inefficient use of storage space

Mezzanines are typically a single storey – so offer much less storage density than most racking systems. If you used that 20’ X 50’platform (1000 sq feet) for pallet positions, you’d be able to store roughly 60 pallets. The cost per pallet position would be over $1,000 per pallet!

You can install push-back racking (one of the more expensive racking systems we supply) for roughly $300 to $400 dollars per pallet position.

3. Moving goods onto and off of a mezzanine is inefficient

Everything going onto or off of a mezzanine typically passes through a pallet gate, requiring an operator below on a forklift, and another person above to receive the material. This is a very time consuming and inefficient process, so it’s important to determine what your daily flow of goods will be. The higher the volume of goods, the less sense it makes to go with a mezzanine.

4. A mezzanine is difficult to relocate

Are new premises part of your short to medium term plans?

Do you own or lease your current facility?

These 2 questions need to be answered before you make your decisions.

Once installed, a mezzanine is usually a permanent installation – difficult to transfer to another location. Why? Mezzanines have to be customized to fit into the available space, and are labour intensive to install.

If you have a short-term lease, divide the projected building and installation costs by the number of years left on your lease to come up with the cost per year of your new mezzanine.

A mezzanine is seldom seen as an asset by landlords, and it can turn into a liability if a property owner requires it to be removed when you vacate the premises.

Comparison

  Pallet racking Mezzanine
Cost per pallet position $100 - $400 $1,000 - $1100
Storage density High Low
Versatile – can be used for professional space No Yes
Use for order picking Yes Yes
Use for Production or assembly No Yes
Moves with your company Yes Not easily
Can be modified or expanded Yes Yes
Quick install time Yes No
Ease of access for storing pallets Very efficient Highly inefficient

Key Takeaway

Pallet racking is an efficient and economical way to provide high-density storage.

Mezzanines are great for relieving warehouse space shortage by utilizing unused space for other activities.

Still have questions?

Email us, info@meritonindustries.com or give us a call at 514-457-5358 to discuss your next steps.