The choice of steel structure$2 type for a warehouse affects cost, schedule, and building characteristics. Not all "steel frames" are equal: light gauge steel (LSTS) and hot-rolled sections are fundamentally different technologies with different applications.
from 12,000 ₸/m²
LSTS frame
light gauge steel structures
from 18,000 ₸/m²
hot-rolled steel
for spans of 18–60 m
up to 60 m
column-free span
for standard structures
1–3 t/m
steel frame weight
per linear metre of warehouse
Types of Steel Structures for Warehouses
Hot-Rolled Steel (I-beams, channels, angles)
The classic choice for industrial construction. Columns from I-beams, trusses from angles and tubes, purlins from channels.
Pros: high load-bearing capacity, spans up to 60+ m, durability, repairability. Cons: heavier than LSTS, requires factory fabrication and a heavy-lift crane for installation. Used for: warehouses from 500 m², spans from 18 m, height from 6 m.
LSTS (Light Gauge Steel Thin-Wall Structures)
Thin-wall cold-formed profiles from galvanised steel. Produced on a roll-forming machine.
Pros: lightweight, no heavy equipment needed for installation, fast assembly. Cons: limited load-bearing capacity, spans up to 24 m, not suitable for suspended equipment or cranes. Used for: small warehouses up to 500 m², hangars, residential buildings.
Tubular Trusses
Trusses from square and rectangular tubes. Aesthetically appealing — often used in commercial and logistics centres with exposed frames.
Pros: high rigidity, attractive appearance, suitable for large spans. Cons: 20–30% more expensive than standard trusses.
How to Choose the Structure Type
| Parameter | LSTS | Hot-Rolled |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse area | up to 500 m² | from 300 m² |
| Span | up to 24 m | up to 60+ m |
| Height | up to 6 m | any |
| Crane equipment | no | yes |
| Seismicity (Almaty) | with limitations | fully compliant |
| Frame cost | lower | standard |
Anti-Corrosion Treatment — Don't Cut Corners
The service life of a steel frame depends directly on the coating:
- Two-coat primer-paint — minimum, protection life 5–7 years
- Hot-dip galvanising — protection life 25–30 years, 20–30% more expensive
- Polyurethane coatings — for aggressive environments (chemicals, fertilisers)
In Kazakhstan with its sharp climate swings, hot-dip galvanising is recommended as a minimum for external elements.
Steel Structure$2 Costs for a Warehouse in 2026
| Structure Volume | Ex-factory price (KZ) | Price with installation |
|---|---|---|
| up to 20 t | from 580,000 ₸/t | from 780,000 ₸/t |
| 20–100 t | from 520,000 ₸/t | from 680,000 ₸/t |
| over 100 t | from 480,000 ₸/t | from 600,000 ₸/t |
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