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Steel Structures vs Concrete for Warehouses: What to Choose

StroyHubJanuary 20, 20266 min read
Steel Structures vs Concrete for Warehouses: What to Choose

For most warehouse and logistics projects, the core trade-off is straightforward: construction speed and flexibility vs traditional mass construction logic.

01

30-90 days

steel timeline

vs 6-12 months concrete

02

20-30%

budget gap

steel often lower total cost

03

up to 36 m

clear span

without internal columns

04

50+ years

service life

with proper maintenance

Why steel is often selected

  • faster delivery and earlier operational start,
  • lower foundation intensity due to reduced structural mass,
  • easier expansion and phased growth,
  • better fit for large clear-span logistics layouts.

Where concrete can still be preferred

  • multi-storey heavy-use configurations,
  • very high concentrated load cases,
  • specific underground or special-purpose facilities.

Quick comparison

CriterionSteel structuresConcrete
Timeline30-90 days6-12 months
Cost profileoften lower by 20-30%higher baseline
Span potentialup to 36 mtypically lower without special solutions
Flexibilityhighlow to medium
Reconfigurationeasiermore expensive

Decision logic for business owners

If speed-to-operation, modular expansion, and capex efficiency are key priorities, steel-frame solutions are usually more competitive for warehouse use.

Need side-by-side options?

We can prepare both steel and concrete scenarios for your site, with cost and timeline delta.

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Ключевой вывод
In Kazakhstan's current logistics cycle, steel structures are the default choice for most warehouse projects. Concrete remains relevant for narrower technical scenarios.

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