Steel has, for thousands of years been the go-to material when it comes to manufacturing sturdy equipment. It revolutionized warfare with swords and armor and as the industrial age dawned it made the skyscraper possible. Today stainless steel is used in everything from the manufacture of cookware and automobiles. But steel also has another use. It can provide a business with distinct advantages when it comes to erecting a warehouse. Here are only some of the reasons that a structural steel warehouse simply makes sense.
Fast Construction Period
One of the reasons that a steel warehouse does make sense is the fact that time is indeed money. Traditional construction methods mean that a warehouse can take months to build. This means that the business will usually have to rent warehouse space while their own warehouse is being built. This can prove costly. A steel warehouse on the other hand can be built in prefabricated sections. The business that intends on using the warehouse simply supplies the steel structure manufacturer with their requirements and the individual components are manufactured ready to be assembled. This cuts down on the time it takes to erect the warehouse – and could potentially save the business thousands.
High Durability
Then there is the issue of durability. It’s no surprise that as steel became more widely available it was used to create suits of armor – steel is immensely strong. It also resists the attention of insects that can damage structures built of other materials like wood. It is also highly resistant to mold and fungi. It is easy to deal with the problems caused by mold – a simple wipe down with a readily available detergent will return steel to its original condition. Steel is also resistant to bad weather. It shrugs off snow and high winds and heavy rain, which are all known to cause extensive damage to other types of structures.
Low Maintenance Cost
Steel is also a low-maintenance choice. It is (as mentioned) easy to clean, but there’s another advantage to a prefabricated steel structure. If any of the steel components is damaged (as is common in the warehousing environment) then it is easily replaced without causing a disruption to the day-to-day business of the enterprise. In the just-in-time environment of 21st-century commerce, the ability to keep working while repairs are taking place can mean the difference between profit and loss.
Structural steel is immensely strong and that means the warehouse space can be more effectively used due to the fact that the number of supporting beams is reduced. Not only does this impact the amount of useful floor space available, but it also makes navigating the floor of the warehouse easier when using equipment such as forklifts. This has a direct impact on productivity. And a more productive warehouse space means a greater return on investment.
In an age where eco-friendliness and green credentials make a difference structural steel shines. It can be made from older steel that is smelted and repurposed.
Taking all these factors into account those businesses that want to enjoy superior warehousing should certainly keep steel buildings and structures in mind for their next project.