Create Valuable, Usable Space with a Mezzanine
- Pauline Samuels
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Do you have high ceilings? Congratulations—you may be sitting on a hidden goldmine of square footage! When space is tight but your ceilings are tall, a mezzanine could be the ideal solution to unlock more room without the hassle (and cost) of a full-scale expansion.
At TMW Steel Structures Inc., we recently partnered on a project that demonstrates just how effective a mezzanine can be. A high-end lighting fixture store in Orange County’s South Coast Metro area had found their dream location—but it was missing one critical thing: enough space to store their beautiful inventory.
The Challenge:
The location had everything they needed—except room for their additional inventory. Rather than abandon the perfect spot, the store owners turned to a storage solutions company to help design a structural workaround. That company called in TMW to provide the steel support for a brand-new mezzanine system that would add 1,600 square feet of reinforced storage space.
The Solution:
Working closely with the engineers and general contractor, we provided both in-shop fabrication and on-site installation of the mezzanine’s steel structure. Our scope included:
In the Shop:
Fabricating all columns with baseplates, support angles, and welded tabs for brace connections.
Drilling and coping wide flange beams per structural plans.
Cutting and drilling all brace connections.
Welding brace connections to spec.
On Site:
Installing columns in coordination with the general contractor.
Placing beams according to plan.
Performing field welding as needed.
Bolting bracing and prepping wide flange beams for purlin installation.
The mezzanine itself was constructed with steel columns anchored into concrete, supporting wide flange beams with welded tabs for bracing. These beams were cross-spanned with Cee Purlins to support the upper flooring. In the stair access area, B Decking was installed and filled with concrete to create a durable walking surface.
With the steel structure in place, metal framing and drywall completed the walls. Stairs were added for safe, easy access to the new space.
A Functional—and Beautiful—Upgrade:
Interestingly, the lighting store owners loved the industrial aesthetic of the exposed steel columns and beams. Instead of covering them up, they finished the steel in a contrasting paint color and made it a standout feature in the showroom’s overall design.
Why Mezzanines Make Sense:
Mezzanines are a cost-effective, low-disruption way to expand your usable space—without moving or building an addition. Whether you need office space, break rooms, or more inventory storage, a mezzanine can transform vertical space into real, functional square footage.
Need more room without changing your location? Let’s build upward—smartly.
LET'S BUILD UP, TOGETHER:
As a contractor or construction project manager, you know that space is money—and sometimes, the most efficient expansion isn’t out, but up. Mezzanines offer a strategic, cost-effective way to increase usable square footage without the headache of a full build-out. At TMW Steel Structures Inc., we partner seamlessly with construction teams to deliver precision-fabricated steel mezzanines that integrate smoothly into your project timeline and scope. If you’re looking for a trusted steel partner who gets the job done right, let’s talk. We’re ready when you are. Email us
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