A comprehensive guide to temporary warehouse buildings

Unlock the benefits of temporary warehouse buildings

Finding a robust storage solution is at the top of the priority list for many businesses.  With the prospect of rising rents and soaring construction costs of traditional storage buildings, temporary warehouses are becoming an increasingly popular solution.  

If you need to build and install a temporary warehouse, this article is for you!  It will cover the fundamentals of temporary warehousing including the various options you need to consider to build a temporary warehouse. 

Temporary warehouse buildings offer a flexible and fast alternative to traditional warehouses. This expert-level guide will provide valuable insights and information on the benefits, considerations, and key factors you need to know when it comes to temporary warehouse buildings.  

Understanding temporary warehouse buildings

external overview of a temporary building

Temporary warehouse buildings are flexible and robust structures designed to provide quick temporary storage solutions. These buildings are typically made from high quality and long-lasting materials such as aluminium.  They are completely modular, which means they can be assembled on-site quickly and removed once they are no longer required.  They offer many benefits when compared to traditional warehouse buildings. Unlike traditional warehouses, temporary warehouse buildings can be easily and quickly relocated or expanded as required. They can also be used for a full range of warehousing applications. 

Do temporary buildings make good warehouses?

Yes! Temporary buildings make excellent warehouses.  This is why:

Flexibility: Temporary buildings offer unrivalled flexibility compared to traditional buildings. Whether it’s seasonal inventory spikes or short-term projects, temporary buildings provide the agility to meet evolving storage requirements.

Cost-effectiveness: Temporary warehouses are typically more cost-effective than constructing or leasing a traditional warehouse or off-site storage. The initial investment and ongoing operational costs are around 70% lower compared to a traditional warehouse.

Speed: When you need storage space fast, a temporary building can be rapidly installed.  Traditional construction can take months or even years, whereas temporary buildings can be operational in a matter of weeks. without the need for expensive Consultants and Architects. 

Quality and durability: While temporary buildings may be temporary by name, they are robust, highly durable structures that can stand the test of time. An engineered aluminium frame provide strength, ensuring the safety of stored goods. Temporary buildings comply with Eurocodes for snow and wind loading conditions and can be specified with insulation, ventilation, and other features to maintain optimal storage conditions. 

How can you build a temporary warehouse?

Building a temporary warehouse and storage building

We can create a temporary storage shelter on almost any ground surface.  Working around existing site constraints or objects, even connecting a temporary warehouse to existing buildings.  Our temporary buildings have a small footprint and do not require complex groundworks or foundations.  The first step is to choose the right structure. Temporary buildings come in various finishes, including single skin PVC structures, single skin steel cladding, right through to insulated sandwich panels for enhanced thermal performance. Each option has its own benefits and is suited for different purposes, such as urgent storage, industrial applications, or temperature-controlled storage.

Next, there are several roofing options to consider for your temporary warehouse. Options include single skin PVC, inflatable roofs with improved thermal performance, or fully insulated and lined roofs for maximum thermal performance.  Consider the nature of your stored goods.

Finally, you can customise and specify temporary warehouses, as they are made to measure, bespoke for your business. You can tailor the building to your specific needs, including colours, door options, rainwater guttering, lighting, security systems, and electrical services. Customisation allows you to create a complete and fully functional storage space that meets your operational requirements, now and into the future.

Construction of a temporary warehouse is highly efficient as it requires minimal plant and groundworks finishing trades.  This reduces build costs and increases speed. 

Cold storage or temperature sensitive products? No problem

A large temporary building with insulated walls

We can provide completely refrigerated storage solutions, which maintain a consistent temperature for goods that require cold storage.  From beer kegs to medical products temporary warehouse buildings are a safe and robust solution to protect temperature sensitive stock.

Temporary warehouse storage: Ensuring effective operations

a forklift works inside a large temporary warehouse building

Operations within a temporary warehouse are the same as a traditional warehouse building.  They can be specified to optimize storage space. Implementing efficient shelving systems, such as pallet racking or mezzanine floors, will maximise storage capacity. All of these options are possible with a temporary warehouse.   This combined with a robust and secure clear span structure will provide the best use of space.  Inventory management and tracking systems can be used to streamline operations and enhance visibility. You will be impressed by the efficiency a temporary building can achieve.  

Temporary Warehousing. Should I hire or buy?

Again, unlike traditional buildings, a temporary warehouse can be rented for short-term requirements to manage seasonal peaks in storage or provide a long-term semi permeant storage unit. When considering temporary warehouse solutions, hiring offers the benefit of flexibility, allowing businesses to quickly add additional space when needed without a long-term commitment. 

A temporary storage building is a good choice for short-term storage requirements. On the other hand, purchasing a temporary warehouse building provides long-term advantages, including ownership benefits.  As temporary buildings can be easily re-located, there is a strong second-hand market for temporary storage buildings.  By investing in a temporary warehouse, businesses can have greater control, more bespoke customisation options, and an asset.

The future of temporary warehouse buildings: modular and sustainable solutions

The future lies in modular construction techniques and sustainable practices. A temporary warehouse from Field and Lawn consists of prefabricated components that are easily assembled on-site in a matter of days. This means businesses benefit from a highly cost-effective solution that can save up to 70% on traditional construction costs.  You can also scale space up as needed. Furthermore, the off-site approach minimises construction waste to provide an environmentally responsible storage solution.

Temporary Warehouses and Planning Permission

Before constructing a temporary warehouse building, businesses must understand the legal and regulatory requirements associated with such structures. In the UK, planning permission may be required depending on factors such as the size, location, and duration of the temporary warehouse. Navigating the planning permission process involves submitting the necessary documentation and ensuring compliance with local regulations and building codes. Additionally, health and safety regulations must be adhered to, including fire safety measures, emergency exits, and adequate lighting.

Field and Lawn Limited: your partner in temporary warehouse solutions

We have provided many temporary structures across the UK. With years of experience in delivering high-quality temporary warehouse buildings. We offer tailored, bespoke solutions to meet your exact storage needs. Field and Lawn’s expertise lies in designing and installing robust and durable temporary warehouses that ensure the safety and security of stored goods. 

We have a proven track record of successful temporary building projects across various industries.  Our client portfolio includes: 

Conoco Phillips

Why choose Field and Lawn?

Temporary warehouse buildings provide an ideal storage solution. You can tap into the expertise of Field and Lawn to meet their temporary warehousing needs. Whether it’s temporary storage, or modular structures, Field and Lawn stands as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality, innovative temporary solutions to a wide range of businesses looking to increase their storage.  

Visit a Field and Lawn project

We understand that a temporary building is a significant investment. It may also be the first time you are considering a temporary building solution.  We have a strong portfolio of completed projects across the UK and would be delighted to arrange a site visit.  This will enable you to see first-hand the quality and durability of our temporary buildings.  

Temporary warehouse structures: Available Now

Field and Lawn are ready to provide a free, no obligation quote for a temporary storage building.  See how we measure up! 

How to Choose the right temporary building for you

Let us help you choose the right temporary building

Looking for a temporary building that suits your business needs can be challenging, but with so many options available, it’s often difficult to find the right solution, or even know where to start!  Our latest blog explores the various types of industrial temporary buildings, so you can easily find one that fits your requirements.    

TYPES OF TEMPORARY BUILDING

Temporary buildings are almost infinitely customisable due to their modular construction.  You can create a temporary building that suits your exact requirements.  They are generally constructed in “bays” which provide the length.  These are typically manufactured in 5m lengths.  Eave heights of up to 10m can be achieved and the span, or width, can reach 40m across. 

Durable PVC walling

An industrial storage tent with PVC walling

A single skin PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) walled structure is a flexible and adaptable option that is perfect for urgent circumstances such as pallet storage and protection. Furthermore, these structures can also be used for longer-term covered walkways and link corridors between existing structures. This is a quick and cost-effective solution to your storage challenges. While weatherproof, PVC will not offer a fully watertight solution, and access options are slightly more limited. 

Single Skin Steel Cladding

A steel sided industrial temporary building structure

Steel clad temporary buildings are often referred to as “steel buildings” are a popular choice for industrial buildings and agricultural storage. The clear-span structure allows for widths of up to 40m, making it ideal for all types of industrial applications, from machinery and plant storage to milking parlours, workshops, and barns. The profiled finish provides enhanced safety, security and durability.  

Insulated Sandwich Panels

A large temporary building with insulated walls

This type of temporary building construction offers a premium, highly insulated, and aesthetic finish that is typically used to create insulated buildings for commercial, retail, and ambient storage. Due to the levels of insulation, this type of building can be partitioned for welfare facilities. Insulated panels provide the most choice for additional bespoke elements such as glazing, roller shutter doors, bespoke colours, and a wide range of HVAC options. If you select an insulated building, there are a wide range of colour options available.

Glass Façades

A large temporary building outdoors with glass frontage

A glass facade can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your building, giving it a modern and contemporary look. It provides additional natural light, creating a more comfortable and pleasant environment. Finally, it can also help increase energy efficiency, as the glass can provide insulation and solar gain, potentially reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating. 

tEMPORARY sTRUCTURES - WHAT ARE THE ROOFING OPTIONS?

e also offer various roofing solutions, and all are compatible with all building walling options and designed to slide through the roof beams to create a water-tight seal. Here are the three main options: 

Single Skin PVC Roof

A single skin PVC roof will provide adequate weather protection and is a good option for storing less temperature-sensitive goods or equipment. The PVC is fully tensioned and engineered to comply with wind and snow loading requirements and calculations. It is an affordable, quick, and safe solution. Depending on the time of year the structure is in use, and how long it will be in place for, it may benefit from an anti-condensation lining. 

Inflatable Roof

An inflatable roof combines two layers of PVC fabric with a wall-mounted compressor system, providing an insulated air pocket between the two PVC layers. The inflated PVC system improves thermal performance and reduces condensation. This roofing option is usually a good choice to create temporary buildings used for ambient or temperature sensitive storage.  

Insulated Lined Roof

If you are looking to specify a fully insulated building, an insulated lined roof offers an additional layer that is installed under the PVC roof, providing a higher level of thermal performance for the structure.  This creates a comfortable working environment. 

The many benefits of temporary buildings

One of the key benefits of temporary buildings is that you can combine different walling and roofing options to suit your budget, use, and location. They can be specified to your exact requirements, in a variety of colours, and linked to existing buildings. A range of doors, rainwater guttering, lighting, security systems, electrical services, and much more can be provided to complete your new building. 

Temporary structures and planning permission

When it comes to temporary buildings, planning permission is not always required, depending on a range of factors.  You can find out more about planning permission for temporary buildings here. 

Like a permanent building, temporary buildings must comply with health, safety, planning and building regulations.  Field and Lawn can help you through this process, providing expert guidance on your local authority planning application, if required.  Find out more about planning permission for temporary buildings here.

Need more help on how to Choose the right temporary building?

Our temporary building configurator gives you the chance to design and specify your new temporary structure.  One of the benefits of choosing a modular temporary building for your on-site storage requirements, is the ability to customise and create a completely bespoke solution.  That’s without spending a fortune on expensive architects, consultants, engineers and designers!  So why not be the Architect of your next project!

Temporary building solutions, in use:

If you are looking for examples of how a modular building solution can be used, we have a number of project case studies.  These demonstrate how they can be used as a temporary warehouse, storage space, including sensitive storage, temporary accommodation and even construction site storage.   

Field and lawn have an excellent track record of building temporary structures and we understand that buying a temporary building is a considerable investment. If you would like to get a more hands on look at one of our completed temporary structures, we would be happy to arrange a site visit to a local project. Contact us today to request a local site visit:

How to hire a temporary warehouse building

The hassle-free way to increase on-site storage

Storage space is at a premium and warehouses are close to capacity.  Finding extra space can be a headache for many businesses. Field and Lawn provide short- and long-term temporary building solutions through hire or purchase.  Renting a temporary building is often a better option, when compared to hiring off-site storage space.  This article covers how your business can hire-in the space you need with a temporary building. 

Hire a temporary building

When renting a temporary building from Field and Lawn, you don’t have to compromise on quality. Our rental buildings are the same premium structures that we would supply for an outright purchase. They are fully inspected, tested and cleaned to ensure they are factory fresh for your business.

SHORT-TERM RENTAL

Our rental options are flexible.  If you have an immediate short-term requirement, we can provide an industrial tent, which is an ideal storage solution for a few weeks.  For urgent requirements, we have temporary building solutions that are ready to go and immediately available.

Our durable, semi-permanent temporary buildings are suited for both short-term rentals of 3-12 months and longer-term rentals of one, two, three (or more) years.  Our expert team can work with you to design, develop, and install the perfect solution on a rental basis or outright purchase.

long-term hire

Renting a temporary building is a popular option for increasing long-term space without committing to the purchase of a building. With renting, you can have a storage solution installed on-site quickly and without significant upfront capital expenditure. This means no expensive architects, consultants, or hidden costs. Once you no longer need the building, we will dismantle and remove it, ensuring a hassle-free process.

a large temporary warehouse building used for stock storage

Temporary buildings: Flexibility, durability and adaptability

Temporary buildings are semi-permanent structures, they can be installed on virtually any surface.  Thanks to their more efficient footprint we can install on tight and constrained sites, where traditional construction is simply not possible.  They offer a good alternative to permanent buildings because of their speed, flexibility and adaptability.  These benefits are maximised when you choose to hire!

Temporary buildings require very little initial groundwork and once the structure is dismantled, the space can resume its previous function. As modular structures, they are easily relocated to other sites, should the need arise. Hiring a temporary building is also a great way to ensure that it is the correct solution for you. If you initially rent, we can offer purchase options throughout the rental term. 

Renting a temporary building: The benefits of on-site storage

One potential option to increase your storage space is renting an off-site storage facility.  Whilst this is an option that should be explored, installing a temporary building on your site offers many advantages:

Productivity and efficiency 

If you have the space, it will save a huge amount of time and organisation, when compared with traveling to and from off-site storage facilities.  We know transporting stock and equipment can be a real challenge, not to mention the impact on effective inventory management.  Reliance on a third party for access and maintenance is also a risk our clients are always happy to see the back of.

Flexibility and resilience 

A temporary building will allow you to adapt, providing additional space for fulfilment, distribution, and manufacturing when compared to off-site storage, that will only ever be, storage. Temporary buildings are a flexible, multi-purpose addition to your existing site.  

Complete customisation 

You can create the perfect bespoke solution for your needs, to fit within your site.  You can expand to create additional space if required or even scale back due to their modular design. Why settle for a space that doesn’t perfectly meet your needs when you can have a custom-built, on-site warehousing space!

Temporary building rental stock

Renting a temporary building might be the solution you’re looking for.  It is a quick and easy process to have your new storage space up and running, on-site. 

At Field and Lawn, we offer a wide range of rental stock for instant storage solutions, temporary storage facilities, and warehouse space. Our rental stock is modular, supplied and installed in 5m bay lengths, with building widths of 10m, 15m, and 20m. Different leg heights can be used to achieve a range of building heights, with standard eave heights of 4m, 5m and 6m. Bespoke options are also available.

Start your temporary building hire today!

The first thing you will need to consider is where the building will be located and how much space you need.  We will assist with a free, no obligation site visit and quotation.  Our rental stock is readily available.

Field and Lawn can provide a complete turnkey solution from start to finish. Contact us today to learn more about our rental options and how we can help your business grow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Rochford is an experienced temporary building specialist.  

He has a track record of helping business by providing temporary buildings for a range of purposes.  

He has an in-depth product knowledge and can advise on a wide range of temporary building rental options and solutions for your business. 

An image of Adam

ABOUT OUR MANUFACTURING PARTNER

Protan Elmark are a leading suppliers of temporary buildings.  Working in over fifty countries they have a busy manufacturing operation.  Due to their size and scale, they can quickly provide temporary buildings for short term rental or longer term hire. 

Our combined engineering and project management expertise means we can design, manufacture and install a structure that will work in practically all situations.  Where a traditional building may not be possible due to site constraints, we can find a unique solution.  

Field and Lawn work exclusively protan elmark to create leading temporarybuildings

Temporary buildings: vehicle wash & valeting bays

Bespoke Valeting bays increase quality and capacity

Temporary buildings can be an ideal solution for the automotive industry.  One of the most innovative projects we have recently completed used a temporary building to create a new duel sided valeting bay for Skoda

The workshop provides the optimum, clean environment for car detailing and preparation, prior to customer collection.  Comprising a wet and dry side, the new valeting bay makes a perfect, enclosed wash bay with a separate dry side for weather critical vehicle preparation, such as paint correction, polishing and applying ceramic coating.

What are valeting bays?

A blue car sits in a new industrial valeting bay

A valeting bay is a bespoke industrial structure, typically a steel building, that provides shelter to clean and valet cars or other commercial vehicles.  These can be multi-bay, providing capacity for busy valeting sites and car washes or commercial settings with high volume of vehicles. For example, rental car centres, fleet depots, haulage companies, coach hire and even police, fire and ambulance stations.

Benefits of commercial wash bays

There are a wide range of benefits that commercial car cleaners can get from a new purpose built, bespoke valeting bay:

Quality: The core benefit of a bespoke wash bay is the protection it provides from the elements. It allows complete flexibility as the building can be customised to include wet/dry sides, lighting, security and access.  It enables any professional car detailer to focus on what they do best, in a controlled environment. A valeting bay will give your business enhanced functionally, to work in all weathers.  Providing a clean and consistent environment to undertake weather critical detailing such as paint correction, paintwork repairs, ceramic coating and smart repairs. 

Professional Image: An industrial valeting bay will create a professional and premium brand image.  When working on luxury cars, you want to make sure their owners know their cars are in a safe and trusted pair of hands.   Prestige car detailing requires the very best customer service.  A bespoke valet bay will give a professional and powerful first impression. When it comes to car collection, a collection bay or canopy will wow your customers, giving them chance to appreciate your work.

Equipment Storage: An industrial valeting bay can be designed to incorporate equipment storage for your jet wash, cleaning products and other equipment.  

Skoda: Valeting bay case study

Find out how a new valeting bay transformed Skoda’s vehicle preparation operation!  read the full case study here…

a large loading bay canopy

Bespoke, custom made wash bay canopies and buildings

Field and Lawn provide a bespoke solution for professional valeting outlets.  We can provide a wide range of sizes, from industrial steel sided buildings to fully insulated, semi-permanent structures.  

Our steel valeting bays are the perfect solution for ensuring vehicles are clean and well maintained. Valeting bays can be a good solution for professional valeting outlets and commercial vehicle centers with large fleets.  

If you have an outdoor car wash, a temporary building can still help productivity and business performance. A canopy structure can create large, clear span covered space so you can continue working through the rain.  A canopy will also provide shade during summer, helping to provide a perfect finish.  

About temporary buildings

Temporary buildings are a good alternative to a permanent building.  There is no need for foundation costs, legal fees, architectural consultants, stamp duty and agents’ fees.  They are still very quick to install and dismantle.  They can be brought outright or rented.  As they are modular structures, they can be easily relocated to other sites, should the need arise.

A temporary building can be insulated, giving enhanced thermal properties and comfort for people who use them.  Field and Lawn can provide a complete turn key solution from start to finish.  If your business needs space for valeting and car preparation. Field and Lawn offer national coverage across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.  Contact us today to request a free quote: