A large open plan shed with mezzanine floor

How to design and build a mezzanine floor in a shed

Sheds in Australia are largely popular, from the basic garden shed to industrial sheds to fancy boat sheds and everything in between. As Australia’s leading shed design software provider and other solutions for shed retailers in Australia, we know sheds — and shed trends — well.

 

So it’s not surprising to hear that mezzanine floors in sheds are something that end-customers are asking shed retailers for.

At Quotec, we offer custom design solutions and our leading shed design and ordering software. So if you’re a shed retailer reading this and have been asked to design a mezzanine floor for a customer, call our team and ask us about a custom shed design.

 

We’ve also created this guide to help you design and build shed mezzanine floors.
This article will explore the essential elements of designing a mezzanine floor in a shed.

 

But first, let’s start with the basics.

What are mezzanine floors in sheds?

A mezzanine is an intermediate level between the main floor and the ceiling of a building or a shed. They are usually partial floors, meaning they usually don’t extend the whole floor length.

 

When it comes to sheds, mezzanine floors are usually used for storage, especially when the mezzanine floor is in a commercial or industrial shed. However, how you use a mezzanine floor is completely up to you and how far your imagination extends — provided it complies with building standards of course.

Why they’re popular: the benefits of mezzanine floors in sheds

Additional floor space

A mezzanine floor in a shed optimises your vertical space which would otherwise be unused. In addition to providing a lot of extra storage space, it also frees up space in the rest of your shed, allowing for extra room for activities, (“so much room for activities”) or further storage. 

Tidier sheds

Keeping your storage up and out of the way has the added benefit of making your shed much tidier. This makes it easier to find things, easier to work if your shed has a workbench or workspace, and just more organised in general.

Mezzanine floors in sheds can increase their value

The added functionality can enhance the overall value of the shed, which can help if you think you may sell the property at a later stage. This is particularly useful for agricultural sheds where the day to day functionality of the shed can save a lot of time and hassle. It forms one part of the picture of the overall functionality and value of the land, but is still a good consideration.

Customisable

Mezzanines can be designed to suit specific needs and preferences, making them a popular choice for custom shed designs.

 

By incorporating a mezzanine into a shed, you can maximise space, creating additional room for storage, or even work or relaxation. 

Quick to install

Mezzanine floors in sheds are relatively quick and easy to install, provided the shed design has been created with the mezzanine taken into consideration. 

 

Which brings us to the next section, designing sheds to allow for mezzanines.

Shed with three roller doors and good ventilation.

Designing sheds for mezzanines: how to design a mezzanine floor in a shed

When it comes to shed design, if you know that your customer wants a mezzanine floor in their shed, allowing for this in the overall shed design will go a long way. 

 

If you’re retrospectively adding a mezzanine floor to a shed, it can still be done, as long as you meet the design requirements. 

 

We’ll cover both those scenarios in this section. 

Design considerations for sheds with mezzanine floors

Space & Layout

The layout should be planned carefully, considering the accessibility and functionality of the space, both on the mezzanine level, and throughout the rest of the shed.

 

For example, It’s important to make sure that the shed has enough height to accommodate a mezzanine without compromising headroom on either level. 

 

It’s also important to plan for the mezzanine accessibility when you design the shed — how are you going to provide access to the mezzanine? Mezzanines are usually accessed by ladders or steps. These need to have enough room around them, and need to comply with building design for stairs/ladders.

Material

Choose materials that are durable and suitable for the intended use of the mezzanine. Materials like steel or solid timber are popular choices due to their strength and durability.

Load Capacity

The mezzanine must be designed to support the intended load, whether it’s for storing heavy equipment or creating a relaxation or work space.

 

Consulting with a structural engineer is crucial to determine the appropriate load-bearing capacity.

Technical requirements for sheds with mezzanine floors

Some of the commonly asked questions around technical requirements are how high the shed needs to be, and what the requirements are from a regulations standpoint.

Do Australian building regulations apply to mezzanine floors?

Mezzanine floors in Australia do need to comply with the Australian Building Regulation standards. 

What are the requirements for a mezzanine floor?

There are specific rules, such as the height and other requirements for mezzanine floors, under the Australian Building Regulation.

 

The best advice on nailing the requirements is to consult with an engineer who specialises in sheds in your local area, as they will be able to advise you on the exact requirements based on your shed itself, its functionality, its location, and other structural engineering factors. 

 

It’s also important to note that you need to gain council approval for a mezzanine floor in a shed in Australia. The exact approvals you need and their requirements vary depending on the state and the local council, so it’s best to check with your local council as to what those exact requirements are. However, as long as you get the approval before commencing the build, you shouldn’t get into too much trouble — shed designs can be adjusted, of course.

How high does a shed need to be for a mezzanine floor?

Requirements might vary depending on your location within Australia, but mezzanine floors usually can be built in any room where the ceiling is over, or at, 440cm. The mezzanine floor usually must be at least 210 cm above the ground.

A modern open plan room with a mezzanine floor

Steps to design a mezzanine floor in a shed

Step 1: Assess the space

Start by evaluating the available space and deciding the purpose of the mezzanine. Consider the height, area, and intended use to determine the feasibility of the addition.

 

If the shed is still in the design phase, even better — just ensure that your designs allow for the mezzanine, or modify the design as needed. 

 

If you are a shed retailer and need help with a custom shed design for a customer, get in touch with our team here at Quotec today.

Step 2: Plan the design

Sketch the design, (or map out the design in your shed design software, like Quotec’s leading shed design solutions for shed retailers). 

 

When drawing up your design, either on paper or in software, be sure to consider factors like access points, railings, and staircases. 

 

Shed software goes a long way here to help you visualise and modify the design effectively. If you don’t have one already, consider trailing Quotec’s software —- you can request a free trial and demonstration today, or sign up with no lock-in contracts and a simple monthly subscription. 

Step 3: Consult with professionals

It’s important to involve structural engineers and architects to validate the design, ensuring it complies with building codes and safety standards. This step is crucial in avoiding any structural issues in the future.

 

If you’re a shed retailer, though, you already know this. 

Step 4: Construction

Once the design is finalised and approved, the construction can take place. 

Go forth and design your mezzanine floors

We hope that this guide has been useful in helping you to understand how to design and build mezzanine floors in sheds.

 

As shed retailers, being able to incorporate mezzanine floors or allow for them in your shed designs is an excellent way to offer more solutions for your customers, and keep up with this rising trend in Australian sheds.

shed design software showing the design of a custom made shed with a mezzanine floor

Looking for a shed software solution, or a one-off custom design?

At Quotec, we’re proud to deliver leading solutions for Australian shed retailers. 

 

Our Quotec Live software allows you to design, quote, modify and order sheds for your customers, and gives you all the tools to run your entire shed business. 

Quotec Now, our latest innovation adds a customer-friendly design interface onto your own website, allowing them to design and quote their own shed, sending the larger design details through to you to work your magic and make it happen. 

 

Our custom designs see our experienced shed designers and qualified engineers create you custom one-off designs when you need something extra special. 

 

And the best thing about our solutions is that we are here for the independent shed retailer; we’ll never lock you into a long-term contract, and have a simple monthly no-lock-in subscription, with no barriers to entry or exit. Our shed industry experts have been in the business for 45 years (and counting) and are always happy to offer advice to our shed retailers.