Warehouse Construction Contractors Blog

Did you know that building a warehouse strong enough may last up to 20 years? But you would also have to consider your financial position to use the most suitable construction material for a warehouse. You need to consider the chosen product's durability and environmental value.

Are you confused about choosing a suitable material for your warehouse construction? Worry not—we are here to discuss the best option for you, steel or concrete. To simplify your choice, we will present a comparative discussion of the two materials.

Join us in this journey where we find the most suitable warehouse construction material to suit your needs.

Understanding the Basics

Before deepening the discussion, let’s explore the two types of warehouse construction materials.

• Steel Warehouses:

Expert contractors use steel beams and other necessary parts to build a steel warehouse. Workers prefer shaping the structure before installing it on the ground. Using prefabricated structures helps reduce the total time taken to build the structure.

At the final stage, steel sheets are attached to give it a complete look of a warehouse.

• Concrete Warehouses:

Unlike steel warehouses, concrete materials are used to construct such a warehouse. The entire warehouse is made of concrete mix. Concrete beams and columns form the foundation and structure of the building. The only challenging thing in concrete construction is the longer time it takes to construct it. However, the modern tilt-up construction technique can be useful to you.

Here, concrete parts are cast and cured on the ground. After they harden, they are placed accordingly to make a concrete structure. If you use precast concrete slabs, you can build an entire building within a few days. This approach saves time and on-site concrete waste.

Speed of Construction

Using a traditional construction method, a steel warehouse could take less time than a concrete one. Install the prefabricated steel columns and beams to form the structure and complete the warehouse construction process.

On the contrary, concrete warehouses take more time than the time taken to construct a steel warehouse. However, using precast concrete slabs might reduce the total time taken for construction. Still, you'd have to give some time for curing the prefabricated concrete slabs.

Cost Comparison

If you don't have sufficient money to invest in the construction of a warehouse, a steel warehouse might be a reasonable choice. Steel does not need extensive investment initially, while concrete warehouses require a significant upfront investment.

That said, if you compare the overall installation cost to the total life cycle, concrete warehouses might yield more value. Concrete is naturally more durable than steel beams and bars, and you will see the concrete structure standing tall under adverse climate conditions as well.

Durability and Maintenance

In this section, the concrete warehouse wins the race because, after construction, you do not need to spend much on its maintenance. Moreover, concrete structures are more durable than steel frames.

Corrosion-resistant paints will be needed to properly maintain a steel warehouse. Otherwise, corrosion will eat the structural integrity. Besides, the UK environment is also concrete-friendly. Otherwise, rain and cold weather will not be suitable for steel structures in the UK. A concrete structure does not need regular maintenance, but it comes with fire-resistant properties.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Steel warehouses offer excellent value, and old steel can be reused even after demolition. Steel beams and columns can also be recycled, although this may be difficult (not impossible).

Cement factories produce CO2 in huge quantities. The same cement is used in concrete construction, making the entire process of concrete warehouse construction have a higher carbon impact. To solve the issue, people are now using low-carbon construction materials. All you need is an expert contractor to make it happen in reality.

Which One Should You Choose?

It depends on your goal and financial capabilities. If you plan to store flammable goods in the warehouse, you should go for concrete materials. Besides, if you store clothes or food, the concrete warehouse is still a good option. However, go with steel warehouses if you plan to store construction materials, agricultural products, and more. 

Our verdict

We suggest you go with a concrete warehouse, even if you need to invest more than in constructing a steel warehouse. Concrete warehouses are durable and offer excellent protection against the UK weather. You can store any goods in the concrete warehouse, which provides user flexibility.  Moreover, with sustainable building design, you can save on energy usage and help the UK achieve the net-zero target by 2050.

Conclusion

Businesses use warehouses to store their business goods safely. A concrete warehouse is durable and resistant to rain or fire. On the contrary, a steel warehouse might need less investment, but you must maintain it continuously. Moreover, in case of fire, it may not protect valuable goods as a concrete warehouse does.

The supply chain is the heart of a business. An efficient supply chain will ensure the supply of fresh fruits, meats and more. However, building a cold storage warehouse is not a straightforward task that any contractor can undertake. You require specialised contractors to construct a cold storage facility. In this blog, we will discuss the challenges you may face when creating a cold storage warehouse facility. You will also know why a specialist contractor is necessary to overcome the challenges of building a cold storage warehouse.

Understanding Cold Storage Warehouses

This type of warehouse has proper control over the internal weather conditions. Chilled weather with temperature control allows for the preservation of fruits, foods, meat and other products. The temperature control system is what sets the cold storage warehouse apart from an ordinary warehouse. Cold storage warehouse facilities can be of different types - frozen, chilled, or blast freezers. Not everyone with any type of product can use any of these facilities. It all depends on the type of product we are talking about freezing. Some easily decaying foods might need a warehouse with a blast freezer facility, or others may need a chilled environment to do the job. Mainly, food and beverage, agriculture or pharmaceutical companies need a cold storage facility. It helps to preserve the product quality.

What are the Challenges of Cold Storage Warehouse Construction?

Unlike the construction process of a warehouse, cold storage warehouse construction is more challenging. It involves the installation of a temperature-controlling machine and an HVAC system. An ordinary warehouse contractor does not have the expertise to construct it.

a) Temperature Control

In a cold storage facility, the temperature is cooled down using machines. Besides, the room must be insulated to keep the internal temperature within the room. Otherwise, the temperature controlling machine won’t work. If the cold storage warehouse should be energy efficient, using efficient temperature control machines, then it might not be possible. Because the entire system is a high-energy-consuming system. An overall approach can make the facility energy-efficeint and help control temperature actively.

b) Specialised Building Materials

To build the cold storage warehouse, specific materials are needed; otherwise, heat would pass through the barrier into the cold storage to increase the inside temperature. To block outside heat from entering the facility, thermal breaks are used. It ensures that heat does not get transferred through metal equipment or materials inside. Vapour barrier is also applied on the outside walls to restrict air with moisture from entering the facility. Otherwise, the moisture would turn into water when in contact with cold temperatures, forming mould.

c) Energy Consumption

With such delicate building materials to construct the cold storage warehouse building, energy consumption remains a challenge. If the building is not properly designed with proper insulation, the operating cost will increase. As a result, energy consumption will increase to make the facility cold, resulting in an increase in operating costs. Besides using insulations, sustainable energy sources can be used. Solar panels and power from wind can be effective ways to reduce operational costs.

d) Complex HVAC and Refrigeration Systems

During the construction process, the contractor must plan to install an efficient HVAC system. Besides, an efficient refrigeration system must be planned and installed to maintain a colder environment. A backup plan to keep a colder environment in the cold storage facility is necessary.

Solutions to Overcome Construction Challenges

Highly effective insulation panels and energy-efficient cold storage designs can help overcome challenging situations.

a) Advanced Insulation Techniques

High-performing insulated panels are more effective in keeping the cold temperature inside the cold storage. Otherwise, it will need more power to maintain a cold temperature inside.

b) Energy-Efficient Designs

A cold storage facility consumes high energy to control the temperature of the facility. Solar panels can also be installed as an alternative power source for an energy-efficient cold storage design. Besides, modern technology can help determine the temperature and control it as and when required. It helps maintain an energy-efficient cold storage warehouse design.

c) Sustainable and Cost-Saving Innovations

To make the facility more energy-efficient, LED lights and automated doors to control outside temperature can be used. LED bulbs can help reduce energy consumption

Conclusion

Temperature control in a cold storage facility is the main challenge. It is really difficult to construct a cold storage warehouse facility without expert supervision. So, always work with a reliable and expert contractor while building a cold storage warehouse facility. Get in touch with Warehouse Construction Contractors for energy-efficient warehouse construction.

In a warehouse, multiple employees work in different sections. Large trucks full of business products come and go from the warehouse. Besides, small-size forklifts run in the warehouse facility, loading and unloading business goods. Among all these activities, employee safety is essential. For example, if the floor design of a warehouse does not involve pavements for workers, accidents can happen anytime. If the emergency exit is not available, a fire accident can cause harm to employees. Besides improving employee safety, a well-designed warehouse can protect its equipment and vehicles. This can save large investments in the warehouse. In the following discussion, we will focus on how warehouse design can safeguard employees and protect assets in the facility.

Why Employee Safety Matters in Warehouse Environments

Among all other reasons, the regulatory reason for employee safety in the workplace is the most important. In the UK, the Work and Safety at Work Act is the primary legislation for employee safety in workplaces. It mandates that employers have a general duty to protect their employees and provide a safe work environment. In an industrial warehouse, there is always the risk of vehicle collision, secondary floors collapsing, and hazardous elements harming workers. So, you need to develop a proper plan to safeguard workers in the warehouse. Let's look at some warehouse designs that help ensure employee safety.

Key Design Features That Enhance Warehouse Safety

The warehouse's design should not restrict its natural workflow while protecting employees from possible accidents. Let's briefly discuss some of the design features.

Clear and Unobstructed Pathways

The warehouse floor design must have clear pathways so forklifts and employees can move around freely. Unobstructed pathways are also helpful for carrying goods from one end to another in the warehouse. You can also install high-visibility markings and warehouse signage for better mobility. Workers can easily navigate through the warehouse after following the signs.

Adequate Lighting

Proper lighting is mandatory as the warehouse will be full of business goods and materials. It helps workers move safely from one place to another and also protects them from sharp objects in the building. If hazardous material is stored inside the warehouse, proper lighting can help workers avoid impossible danger. Besides, the load-carrying vehicles will also be able to move safely in the warehouse.

Proper Racking and Storage Layout

The key to an advanced warehouse is properly planning its storage system. You can use modern racks to store the business goods and products. A vertical racking system is ideal for storing small to medium-sized box-shaped products. While long products like rods or steel pipes can be stored in a cantilever racking system. However, always be mindful not to overload the racking system. Otherwise, it might collapse under a heavy load and harm the workers.

Ventilation and Temperature Control

Multiple employees will work in the warehouse, which requires proper airflow. It can only be achieved through a high-quality ventilation system. Adequate ventilation in the warehouse will ensure employee productivity and performance. It will help reduce fatigue among employees after long hours of work. Proper airflow in the warehouse will also safeguard employees from developing health-related complications.

Fire Safety Features

You can further protect our safeguarding employees by installing sprinklers and fire extinguishers in the warehouse. In a fire accident, a fire extinguisher will come in handy. The sprinkler system installed in the warehouse facility will also help control the spread of fire before additional help arrives. You can also train your employees to use the emergency exit in an emergency. Marking these exits will also be helpful in a crisis.

Additional Design Tips

Dedicate a place for goods loading and unloading from inbound vehicles. Mark a clear pathway for the forklift to be removed from the unloading zone and moved to the storage facility. Install cameras in the house to monitor the facility from a single operation room. Additionally, you can install fire alarms, automated safety doors, an RFID tracking system, and robotics for better house management. Modern technology not only helps prevent human or material losses in the warehouse but also enhances the overall system.

Conclusion

A warehouse design ensures employee safety and improves its operational quality. Proper space for vehicles and workers ensures a smooth workflow and prevents accidents.

No matter how spacious your warehouse is, ultimately, you end up short of space. Is it your problem, too? Don't worry; we have your back. In this blog, we will focus on how to maximise the space in your warehouse. Read to learn more about strategies to maximise the warehouse space and help scale up your business. Let's begin the discussion by understanding space constraints in your warehouse design.

Understanding Space Constraints in Warehouse Design

The main problem in space management for your warehouse might be poor floor planning. Even if you have a faulty inventory management system, you will never find a sufficient place to store your products. You may order products beyond your housing capacity with a poor inventory management system. The result is the unplanned piling up of products on the floor. Besides, you have to understand that the space on the floor is not the only place where you can store your product. You have to utilise vertical and horizontal space at the same time. If you haven't planned for this before construction, you might be missing a significant opportunity to level up your business. So, how do we overcome these challenges? Let's find out.

Key Strategies to Maximise Space Efficiency

To maximise your warehouse's capacity, you need a smart warehouse layout. Couple this with advanced racking and product tracking technology, and you are all set to take your business to the next level.

a) Smart Warehouse Layout Planning: Let's start from the beginning of the construction process. Before starting the construction of your warehouse, choose the most efficient and effective layout design. For example, a U-shaped or L-shaped warehouse layout design might be the best way to maximise your house's capacity. Ensure you have a smooth and obstacle-free internal pathway to connect one end of the word house to the other. What it will do is improve the movement of products. You can easily access what is required at the moment. Most importantly, know the storage capacity of your address and accept products accordingly.

b) Optimising Vertical Storage Space - Modern warehouses are built to hold products to their maximum capacity. High rise racking system is a part of the process. Most modern warehouses also utilise mezzanine floors to utilise the facility's vertical space and store more products. Mezzanine floors are an intermediate floor between a warehouse's two main flows. Workers can install them where necessary and also remove them to install them in another space. They do not cover the entire floor; instead, they are installed in a specific portion to maximise storage capability. Besides, the automotive storage and retrieval system is working wonders when it comes to space management in warehouses.

c) Efficient Racking and Shelving Solutions - You should choose a suitable storage system depending on the product you handle. For example, selective, drive-in, or cantilever racking systems benefit different types of products. Cantilever racking is suitable for storing pipes, tubes, and products in odd shapes and sizes. Similarly, a drive-in racking system is more suitable for products of similar shapes and sizes. The system is more cost-effective as you can utilise the vertical space to its maximum capacity.

d) Warehouse Automation and Smart Technology - The storage system in your warehouse can become more efficient if you utilise artificial intelligence and robotics. These technologies are becoming mainstream in warehouse management. In large warehouses, where storing and retrieving products takes significant time, AI and robotics make the task easier. Retail giants like Amazon and ASDA have embraced the technology and improved their business performance. Technologies such as RFID tags and barcode systems are also helpful in storing and tracking products easily.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Always remember the carrying capacity of your racking system. Do not overload the racking system to avoid unnecessary accidents in your warehouse. Loading beyond its capacity will cause the infrastructure to lose its structural integrity. For the drive-in system, ensure enough space for the forklift to move around and easily store products. Besides, keep A designated space as pavement where workers can safely go from a certain point to another. Finally, never ignore the scalability option for your warehouse. It is natural to increase the space of your warehouse while you scale up your business. More space will help house more products.

Conclusion

So, start planning before beginning the construction process. Choosing a smart warehouse floor layout is the first thing to maximise its space capacity. Always try to utilise the vertical space through an advanced racking system. You can also install artificial intelligence and robotics to improve product storage and accessibility.

Recently, Amazon started a fulfilment centre at Gateway 45, Leeds, with state-of-the-art robotics technology to manage products and customer orders. The fulfilment centre is close to another Amazon delivery centre and an Amazon robotics sortation centre. The new facility would improve its product delivery service across Leeds. A warehouse near your customers or product delivery centre would improve your delivery service. But you should not rely only on the location. Now, we have advanced technology to help you sort products in the warehouse and manage orders efficiently. Scroll on to know what other features your warehouse must have in 2025.

Automation in Modern Warehouses

As you know, competition in the market is on the rise for every business. All companies want to improve their performance with the latest technology. Take the example of ASDA, a major British retailer serving approximately 18 million customers weekly. Installing a warehouse automation system, the company has doubled its productivity and achieved 98% picking accuracy. Approximately 164 robots work to pick products from point A and deliver them to point B. Like robotics and automation, warehouse management also demands state-of-the-art software. An enhanced Warehouse Management System will improve the overall management system in warehouses. If you want to modify your house management system like ASDA, use AI and robotics. You should know that the global warehouse robotics market is projected to grow to USD 12.99 billion by 2030. This is the most important feature that your warehouse must have in 2025.

Smart Storage Solutions for Maximum Efficiency

With the Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS), you can now utilise a vertical storage system in your warehouse. As you do not need human labour to climb up to pick products from storage racks, product delivery has become more efficient. It also allows you to store products with high density. With an advanced management system, you can store more products in the same area. With an RFID warehouse management and tracking system, you can scan product catalogues from any location in the warehouse. The system attaches an RFID tag to the product containing all the information, and you can scan the product from any location. This helps improve product tracking and management systems in your warehouse.

Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Warehousing

With robotics and modern technology, warehouse operations have become agile. Energy-efficient solutions are also becoming essential to gaining the coolest benefits of modern technology. For example, solar panels and energy efficient LED lights are becoming mainstream for warehouses. These options can help you reduce your total energy consumption without compromising quality. Moreover, it is an opportunity to contribute positively to the environment and society. The less fossil fuel energy you consume the less is your contribution towards carbon footprint. In addition to such intelligent electrical solutions, eco-friendly and sustainable materials should be used in warehouse construction. For example, carbon dioxide produced in cement factories is now captured and infused into liquid concrete. This helps to reduce the total carbon footprint and also increases concrete strength. Besides using search technical heavy practices for your warehouse, you can harvest the rainwater. Whatever industrial work you may do in your warehouse, you will require fresh water. You can use the rainwater after consulting with professionals.

Smart Security & Safety Measures

With artificial intelligence, monitoring the warehouse and accessing remote control of its important features has become easy. Now, you can utilise an AI-powered CCTV camera to monitor your warehouse and detect any possible threat. Installing artificial intelligence helps you gain increased control over the monitoring system. Be sure to follow the UK compliance regarding fire safety and management. Without a proper fire safety management system, all advanced technology and tools will go in vain.

Connectivity & Digital Integration

Modern offices and warehouses are utilising cloud-based operations. To gain the ability to share data in real-time, you must increase the quality of internet connectivity. With enhanced connectivity comes the threat of data leaks. To resolve this issue, you can utilise blockchain technology and improve the security of your warehouse data management system.

Conclusion

With advanced tools and technology, modern warehouses have become more advanced in their operations and facilities. For example, robotics and automation technology helps improve performance and process thousands of customer orders. Considering the expected competition in the business market, robotics and automation technology work as a valuable ally to modern businesses. Future trends in the industry demand that your warehouse be smart and complete with modern technologies. Use robotics and automation technology to your advantage and protect them with AI-powered surveillance and monitoring systems. Besides, blockchain technology can be utilised to safeguard your business's financial and operational data. If you are planning to construct a modern warehouse, get in touch with Warehouse Construction Contractors today.

The demand for warehouses in the UK is skyrocketing. This is mainly due to increased online shopping and the e-commerce boom. The warehouse and storage market in the UK has been growing at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2019 and 2024. If you are planning to construct a warehouse, you must consider proper planning and follow all regulatory compliance in the UK. You must also consider the location, accessibility, the type of product to be stored, transportation, and several other things before constructing a warehouse. Read on to learn more about the key factors to consider before starting the construction process of a warehouse.

Proper Location and Site of Warehouse

When deciding on the perfect location for your warehouse, consider a few points. For example, it must be near a transportation hub between the targeted customers and your suppliers. If there is too much distance between your suppliers and the warehouse, higher transportation costs will reduce profitability. However, the warehouse must be easily accessible through the available transportation system. A location with proper road connectivity and local infrastructure can make your warehouse accessible to all suppliers. While selecting the best spot for your warehouse, you should also consider land costs. If the initial establishment cost is significantly high, it will be challenging for you to complete the project in time. However, the best part of warehouse construction in the UK is that you do not need any planning permission. It is known as permitted development rights.

Developing Warehouse Design and Layout

A proper design and development layout of the warehouse is essential. Professional contractors can help you utilise that entire location and develop the best layout for your house. Selecting a particular space for storage or using it as a loading bay can increase the efficiency of the whole warehouse management system. During the planning and designing, you must decide on the warehouse height, storage system, etc. Depending on the goods you will store in the warehouse, its height and storage system will increase work efficiency. You should also design your warehouse in a way that can be expanded in the future. When your business thrives, you will need more space for storage. Flexibility in design for future expansion will be helpful at that time.

Complying with UK Building Regulations

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 mandate that all building owners provide information on their buildings to the local fire and rescue service so that they can quickly start the rescue operation and minimise life risk in an emergency. On the other hand, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires a proper risk assessment of the warehouse and the necessary measures to be taken. You should also train your employees to protect themselves in the warehouse environment. You should ensure proper ventilation and structural integrity in a large warehouse where hundreds of employees work regularly. So, you must hire a warehouse construction contractor who understands regulations in the UK to construct a warehouse. They can also guide you better while designing for the warehouse construction.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Adopting a sustainable approach has become very important in modern construction. So, when constructing a warehouse, you should use eco-friendly construction materials. When planning the interior lighting, use energy-efficient lights to reduce the cost of energy consumption. For example, you can install solar panels on the warehouse roof to supply the required energy through solar power. You can also harvest rainwater to use in regular cleaning and washing activities. Such approaches will reduce your overall cost of warehouse maintenance and also reduce your impact on the environment. To better ensure the sustainability of your warehouse, you may apply the BREEAM construction method. It is a science-backed and logically structured building assessment framework that ensures net zero carbon production, biodiversity, and protection for health and society. A BREEAM certification also helps increase your property value.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when constructing a warehouse, you should consider adequately planning and designing a layout. It will help you optimise the space properly. Besides, following health and building construction regulations is necessary for UK warehouse construction. Plan and design your sustainable warehouse that does not harm the environment. Contact Warehouse Construction Contractors to streamline the process of your warehouse construction. We have years of expertise in the field and offer advice on complying with UK regulations.