Businesses need extra space from time to time for use as offices, staff break rooms, display areas, and so on. However, that space is usually a scarce and expensive resource, and business owners and managers must devise ingenious ways to utilize it.
Temporary structures are some of the best space options for many industries. They offer cost-effective, flexible, and practical solutions. Unfortunately, many managers do not understand what buildings can offer and, thus, are not able to make good decisions about acquiring and using them.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore the world of temporary structures to help you make informed decisions and get the most from them.
What are temporary structures?
Temporary structures are buildings that are prefabricated in factories and delivered to the location where they are needed in modular form. They can then be assembled in a short period of time to create a complete and usable space. Although temporary buildings are mostly intended for short-term use, to provide staff workspaces, or for storage solutions, some of them can have longer useful lives, sometimes over a decade. Temporary structures vary greatly in size, complexity, and purpose, but they all have one thing in common—they offer quick space solutions at cost-effective prices.
What are the various types of temporary structures?
There are various forms of temporary structures, and these include:
Modular buildings
Modular buildings are pre-fabricated buildings that are easy to assemble and disassemble. Businesses can use them as temporary classrooms, offices, healthcare facilities, and even to provide shelter for evacuees during emergencies.
Tents and canopies
Tents are lightweight and highly portable structures. They are commonly used for outdoor gatherings, hosting events, and meeting short-term shelter needs. They range in size from small tents for camping to large event marquees.
Industrial shelters and tents
Industrial tents are large-scale structures, and businesses commonly use them for storage, production, logistics, and other uses.
What are the applications of temporary structures across industries?
Temporary structures can be used for a wide range of applications across several industries. This shows their flexibility and all-round usefulness. If you need quality space solutions, you should just look at this site. You don’t have to struggle when you look for them.
Below are some of the industries that make use of temporary structures:
Retail
Grocery stores and other retail businesses often use temporary structures as pop-up shops, display areas for seasonal sale events, storage for merchandise during peak periods, and in many other ways. These structures allow retailers to create space, especially in high-traffic areas, to take advantage of the seasonal high demand without incurring heavy expenditure.
Construction
Contractors and other players in the construction industry use temporary structures in several ways:
- Storage for materials like cement, wood, and other
- Staff break rooms
- Offices
- Workshops and garages for servicing machinery
- Accommodation areas
The ease of installing, disassembling, and moving temporary buildings fits construction industry players well because they are forever moving from one site to another.
Event management
Temporary structures are common in the event management industry. Tents, marquees, and staging structures can provide space for weddings, graduations, concerts, and other events. The beauty of these structures in event management is that they provide shelter and a controlled environment and ambiance, offering excellent facilities for guests and performers in case of sports events.
Automotive industry
Vehicle manufacturers, automotive repair firms, and even sellers use temporary structures in various ways:
- Workshops and garages for repairing and serving vehicles
- Garages for storing vehicles and machines
- Display areas for vehicles for sale
- Roofed parking areas for customers
Agriculture
In the agriculture industry, temporary structures offer space for different purposes. Temporary structures can be used as greenhouses to grow plants in a controlled environment for faster growth and to prevent pest infestation.
Farmers and other businesses in the agriculture sector use the structures as storage spaces for inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, and processed products such as dairy products.
Manufacturing
Manufacturers of all kinds of commodities use temporary structures, especially steel-built clear-span buildings, as processing plants for various items. They also use these structures to store equipment and vehicles. Additionally, temporary buildings offer some needed space for storing inputs and processed products.
Logistics and warehousing
Players in the logistics and warehousing industry use temporary structures to store goods and to accommodate various logistics processes such as packaging, loading, offloading, dispatching, and so on.
Military
Temporary structures are commonly used by the military in active operations as they use them for various purposes, such as command posts, stores and field offices. The military prefers these structures because they are quick to deploy and easy to adapt to the various needs of the mission.
How can businesses choose temporary structures?
Players in different industries need to consider several things as they choose temporary structures:
Purpose
Users must clearly define their intended use of temporary structures. Do they need them as storage spaces, work areas, equipment storage, and repair space, or for what other use? It is vital to have a clear understanding of the intended purpose as it influences the size, choice of material, design, and so on.
Size and layout
You need to determine the required size and layout of the temporary structures according to their intended purpose. The users have to ensure the building offers enough space and flexibility for their operations and activities.
Portability
Players in industries such as construction are constantly moving from one location to another. Such users require temporary structures that are easy to set up and move to another location. For such users, they should choose modular structures and other easy-to-move buildings.
Duration
It is vital to consider the desired period of using any temporary structures. For example, if the buildings are meant for short-term use, simple, less costly structures that do not last long may suffice. If the structure is meant for a longer period, more durable and robust structures may be the best option.
Cost and budget
Users need to consider their budget and choose temporary structures that match it. However, it is vital to strike a balance between cost and quality. You shouldn’t buy or lease inferior structures just because they are cheap.
Conclusion
Temporary structures are cost-effective and quick-to-install space solutions that offer the needed space across industries such as retail, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, event management, and others. When buying or leasing temporary structures, it is vital to consider things such as the intended purpose, duration of use, and cost. Most importantly, it is vital to focus on quality and the intended use. Also, users should buy or hire these structures from reputable suppliers to get quality solutions.
