Why You Should Build Your Barn Sheds With Mezzanine Floors

Barns have become an increasingly popular option for storage in Australia. However, a big problem for barn owners is that they often find their barns easily getting full and needing that extra space for just a few more things.

That is when you might want to consider having a barn shed with a mezzanine floor in Perth, as it can surely help to add that extra bit of storage space that you might be looking for.

What is a Mezzanine Floor?

The word “mezzanine” is derived from the Italian mezzanino or mezzano, meaning middle, intermediate, or half. It follows that a mezzanine floor in a barn refers to an intermediate or middle-level floor incorporated into the building.

In simpler terms, a mezzanine floor is an extra floor, usually made from steel, that is inserted between the ground floor and the ceiling of a barn shed.

Mezzanine floors are generally built to be open and accessible from the ground level. They are typically built halfway up a barn building wall, which has a ceiling that is twice the height of the ground floor.

Mezzanine floors are often inserted to help barn owners make the most of all the space offered by the building. These floors add a useful extra dimension to a barn shed that can be used in various ways.

Luckily, almost all Aussie sheds and barns are built with raised centre sections that are perfect for the installation of a mezzanine floor!

Different Uses for Versatile Barn Sheds with Mezzanine Floors

Mezzanines have proven to serve a variety of useful purposes for barn owners in Australia. Maximising the space in your barn or warehouse gives you plenty of options for new ventures or simple storage.

Let’s have a look at the versatile applications of mezzanine floors:

1. Mezzanine Floors for Storage

   The most obvious and popular application for a mezzanine floor is the extra storage space that it provides. It creates a whole new intermediate level in your barn where you can add machinery, equipment, and whatever else you need to store.

2. Mezzanine Floors for Office Space

   If you’re running a company and need more office space for your workforce, a mezzanine floor can provide exactly that. Mezzanine floors are a great way to increase office space without having to extend the actual building or rent more space.

   Mezzanine floors for office space are quite popular in production plants, where office workers need to be in close proximity to the manufacturing line. This is quite common for engineers and operations managers.

3. Mezzanine Floors for Living

   Aussie barns are commonly used as living spaces all around the country. Building a livable barn shed with mezzanine floors is more common than you may think. There are numerous examples of stylish and beautifully decorated mezzanine floors in barns that are used for everyday living.

   This also provides a great alternative, low-cost housing option for people all around Perth.

4. Portable Mezzanine Floors

   As the name suggests, a portable mezzanine is one that can be moved from place to place. These are usually a lot smaller and not built into the walls of the barn or warehouse.

What are the Benefits of Adding a Mezzanine Floor to Your Barn?

Mezzanine floors offer diverse benefits to property owners, including increased shed functionality and greater storage space, amongst others. Here are the main benefits of building a barn shed with mezzanine floors:

• Optimising space: The most obvious benefit of adding another floor to your barn is the fact that you will have more space for storage, inventory, equipment, and offices. In reality, adding a mezzanine floor creates space out of a previously unused and inaccessible area of the barn.
• Increased property value: By increasing the functional space of your property, the value can increase dramatically. This is a great way to improve your property asset without actually extending the building.
• Flexibility and customisation: Most mezzanine specialists and engineers, like us here at MezzStor, can build the extra floor according to your design, style, and functionality needs.
• Ease of installation: Mezzanine floors can be added to your property without any disruption to the current state of the building. Generally, specialists can seamlessly install a mezzanine floor to your current barn space.

Important Considerations to Make Before Adding a Mezzanine Floor

Before you go ahead with the installation of a mezzanine floor in your barn, there are a few important factors that you’ll need to take into consideration. Thinking these over will help you build an intermediate floor level that perfectly suits your barn:

• Think about the structural integrity and suitability of your shed. This includes the materials used to build your barn, the height of the building, and the need for more space.
• Do some research on the local building codes and regulations to make sure that you aren’t breaking any rules by adding a mezzanine floor. Some of these rules include planning permissions, fire and safety regulations, and rules relating to ventilation.
• Consider the purpose the mezzanine floor will serve prior to construction. You don’t want to build a level meant for office or industrial space when in reality you need to build a livable barn shed or dwelling for residential purposes.

Mezzanine Floors: FAQs

1. What Can Be Added to a Mezzanine Floor?

   Mezzanine floors are often affixed with these additions:

   • Guardrails
   • Stairs
   • Elevators or lifts

2. How High Does a Shed Need to Be to Add a Mezzanine Floor?

   According to Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC), a mezzanine floor can be added to any barn or building that stands over 440 cm in height. In a building of this height, the mezzanine floor must sit 210 cm above ground level.

3. What is the Difference Between a Loft and a Mezzanine Floor?

   A loft refers to the space or room constructed directly underneath the roof of a house. A mezzanine floor, on the other hand, is affixed to the intermediate or middle level of the building.

4. How Much Weight Can a Mezzanine Floor Hold?

   The load weight that your mezzanine can hold depends on whether you’re building a light- or heavy-duty floor:

   • Light-duty mezzanine load capacity: 350 kg per square metre
   • Heavy-duty mezzanine load capacity: 1,000 kg per square metre

5. How are Mezzanine Floors Built?

   Mezzanine floors are usually bolted directly into the walls of a barn or building. They can, however, also be freestanding, as is the case with portable mezzanines.

   A typical mezzanine structure consists of steel support beams or columns. The flooring is attached to these beams by connecting metal joists.

Choose MezzStor for Locally Built Mezzanine Floors in Perth

At MezzStor, we believe in optimising the full space potential of your barn, shed, or warehouse. Our mezzanine structures and flooring can help you bring out the best in your business, create extra storage space, or add to your retail store, office, or warehouse.

Our mezzanine floors are locally made using top-quality Australian materials and are suitable for all applications. Have a look at a few of our past projects and testimonials to get an idea of the work we produce.

Contact us at (08) 6201 2271 or email us at enquiries@mezzstor.com.au to find a mezzanine solution that meets your specific structural needs.