ARCO’s design/build delivery method provides customers with go to contract pricing based on in-house preliminary design at no cost. Contact us today for more information: [email protected]
SPECIFICATIONS & EXPERTISE FROM THE NATION'S LARGEST
WAREHOUSE CONTRACTOR
As the number one builder of warehouse and distribution space in the U.S., ARCO is expertly capable of providing the best, value-driven solutions for our customers’ warehouse construction needs. From speculative developments to large scale distribution facilities for ecommerce end-users, CPGs, and 3PL providers, ARCO has the experience and expertise needed to help developers and owners achieve a successful warehouse development, regardless of complexity or scale.
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Want to learn more about how to design and build your warehouse?
WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION
When it comes to warehouse construction, there are many design and construction details that must be considered to achieve a successful development. Floor systems, exterior wall types, structure, bay sizing, building systems, and site design are all elements that should be explored in the earliest stages of a project to ensure the most functional and cost-effective facility.
Space utilization, pre-existing site conditions, schedule needs, and more can all play a role in determining the most advantageous option for each of these elements. Partnering with an experienced contractor that is actively engaged throughout the design and beginning stages of a project will ensure that the very best design and construction decisions are made, resulting in a superior finished product and the very best customer experience.
FLOOR SYSTEMS
Choosing the proper floor system for a warehouse requires the knowledge of not only concrete types, but also site dynamics and how the client will be utilizing the space. Concrete floors can be reinforced or un-reinforced, formulated to be freezer/cooler compatible, shrinkage compensating, and specific to the floor loading and equipment path needs of the client. The needs of the client or future tenant should be established in the earliest stages of the project in order to determine the most advantageous floor system choice.
Traditional Concrete Floors
Ductilcrete
Shrinkage Compensating
Heavy Loaded Floors/Equipment Foundations
EXTERIOR WALL TYPES
Exterior wall type decisions for warehouse facility construction are often based on building size, schedule needs, and exterior façade preferences. For larger warehouse facilities, uninsulated concrete panels poured onsite are typically the most cost-effective, and almost any exterior siding, cladding, or veneer can be applied to the outward facing portion. Insulated concrete panels result in higher efficiency and allow for minimal heating and cooling loss. Pre-cast panels are produced offsite year-round and can be installed prior to the floor slab, making them the ideal choice in some circumstances in which schedule restraints are of concern.
Concrete Tilt Panel/Non-Insulated
Concrete Tilt Panel/Insulated
Precast Insulated Panels
BUILDING STRUCTURE
When determining the structure of a warehouse facility, roof loads, wall cladding, and storage heights must be considered. Steel joists, girders, and column structures can be engineered to span almost any distance and designed to support significant roof loads. Pre-engineered metal buildings can accommodate almost any wall cladding including insulated metal panels, precast concrete panels, and block/masonry. For warehouses in which large storage heights are necessary, a rack supported structure may be the most appropriate. Rack supported structures maximize warehouse footprint space and are typically associated with AS/RS facilities.
Steel Joists
Pre-Engineered Metal Building
Rack Supported
BAY SIZING
Bay sizing and racking layout options and standards are also important considerations in warehouse construction. Racking layouts, aisle sizes, and travel paths for forklifts are determined based on the width and clear height of the building. A warehouse contractor with the proper knowledge of industry standards regarding these factors is crucial to successful warehouse construction and the overall functionality of the facility.
BUILDING SYSTEMS
Dock types, sizes, and specifications must also be determined in the design phase of a warehouse construction project. Owners can choose between mechanical and hydraulic docks based on their functionality needs. Additional building systems that must be considered include electrical service, HVAC, fire protection, and lighting. In addition to evaluating options and standards associated with these systems, it is also critical to understand code requirements to avoid design change orders and occupancy delays.
Mechanical Docks
Hydraulic Docks
SITE DESIGN
When it comes to site design, there are several rules of thumb regarding car parking per SF, truck parking per SF, docks per SF, and office space per SF. Additionally, there are standard dimensions for dock aprons, truck drive, truck parking, car parking, and drive aisles. Partnering with an experienced warehouse contractor will ensure that a warehouse facility’s site is designed to utilize the space in the most efficient and functional way possible.
THE ARCO ADVANTAGE
ARCO’s extensive preconstruction services address the crucial elements of warehouse construction in the earliest stages of a project, allowing for decisions to be made with full knowledge of their impact on cost, schedule, and scope. Our unique design-build process removes the risk of overspending on design and construction by providing clients with a firm price proposal and yields an average overall delivery speed 33% faster than that of traditional plan-and-spec construction.
ARCO is recognized by Engineering News-Record as the #1 largest domestic builder of distribution and warehouse facilities in the United States, having built 47.4 million square feet worth $1.7 billion dollars of industrial space for clients nationwide in 2020 alone. Contact us today to learn more about how we can provide creative solutions and alternatives to make your warehouse construction project feasible, regardless of complexity or scale.
