GUIDE TO SELECTING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSES

Launching an industrial warehouse project is a strategic challenge in optimizing costs and operational efficiency. In a diverse materials market with overlapping technical specifications, even a small mistake in selection can lead to significant financial consequences or directly affect the lifespan of the structure.

The reality in major industrial zones in Hai Phong, Long An, Binh Duong, etc., shows that most investors face difficulties not in terms of capital, but in the lack of technical information to make the right material decisions from the outset.

This article will provide some useful guidelines for selecting materials for industrial warehouses – from foundations, steel frames, roofing systems to exterior walls – according to Vietnamese technical standards, helping investors optimize costs without compromising quality.

1. Overview of industrial warehouse structure

Before selecting materials, it's essential to understand the components of a standard industrial warehouse:

Foundation and floor slab system: bears the entire load of the building and goods.
Steel frame structure: columns, beams, girders, bracing system
Roofing system: roofing sheets, roof purlins, waterproofing system
Exterior walls: insulated panels or corrugated metal walls
Door systems: industrial roller doors, ventilation windows
Technical infrastructure: electricity, lighting, fire protection, drainage.
Other supplementary items as required and needed for each project.

The selection of materials should be done in a coordinated manner for each item, ensuring technical compatibility between the different parts.

2. Foundation and floor slab system – no expense should be taken.

2.1. Choosing the right type of foundation

The type of foundation depends on the building load, the soil conditions, and the size of the warehouse:

Nail type	suitable for	Advantages	Important note
Single nails (cups)	Small warehouse, good ground level.	Low cost, fast construction.	Not suitable for weak soil.
Ice foundation	Medium warehouse	Even load distribution	A thorough geological survey is needed.
Concrete pile foundation	Large warehouse, weak soil	High load capacity, durable	Costs are 20–30% higher.
Raft foundation	The soil is very weak.	Best load distribution	Wastes materials

In reality, in coastal industrial zones like Hai Phong and Da Nang – where the soil is weak alluvial – reinforced concrete pile foundations 12–18m long are the most common choice, ensuring that the structure does not settle unevenly after 5–10 years.

2.2. Materials for warehouse floor

Warehouse floors bear the weight of forklifts and stacked goods – this is an area where material costs should absolutely not be cut.

Concrete grade 250–300 for general load-bearing floors.
Concrete with a strength of 350–400 MPa is used when forklifts weighing over 5 tons operate regularly.
Welded wire mesh or dispersed steel wire (fiber) for crack resistance.
Surface hardeners help protect floors from wear and tear and dust.

3. Steel structure

3.1. Why are steel structures becoming dominant?

Prefabricated steel warehouse Currently holding over 80% of the industrial construction market share in Vietnam thanks to its outstanding advantages:

Construction time is 40–60% faster than traditional concrete.
Large spans (18–36m) eliminate the need for central columns, optimizing warehouse space.
Flexible for future expansion and renovation.
Lightweight, reduces the load on the foundation.

3.2. Essential steel structure standards

When purchasing steel materials for industrial warehouses, it is necessary to require the supplier to provide certificates of origin and quality inspection reports.

Category	Standard	Flow intensity
Main columns and beams	SS400 / A36	≥250MPa
Roof purlins, walls	G550 (high-grade galvanized steel)	≥550MPa
Connecting bolts	Level 8.8 or higher
Cross bracing	Galvanized round/square steel	≥235MPa

Important note: Many suppliers use incorrect steel grades to reduce costs. Request a mill certificate and check the markings on the steel before acceptance.

3.3. Anti-rust paint – long-term structural protection

In coastal environments or areas with high humidity, steel structures require special treatment:

Shot blasting cleans the surface to achieve Sa 2.5.
Two coats of epoxy primer, total thickness ≥ 75 microns
1-2 coats of polyurethane coating for exterior protection.

4. Roofing systems – the right choice for energy savings.

4.1. Roofing materials: Solid metal sheets or insulated panels?

This is the most frequently asked question when building industrial warehouses in Vietnam:

Single-layer roofing sheets (square/round corrugated sheets):

Costs are 30–40% lower.
Suitable for: temperature-insensitive warehouses
Disadvantages: hot in summer, noisy during heavy rain.

Insulated sandwich panel:

Insulation core: polyurethane (PU) or mineral wool
Reduces warehouse temperature by 5–12°C compared to single-layer steel.
Suitable for: cold storage, pharmaceutical warehouses, electronics warehouses
The initial cost is higher, but it saves on air conditioning/ventilation electricity in the long run.

Practical suggestion: For typical warehouses in Northern Vietnam (with four distinct seasons), 0.47mm thick galvanized steel roofing sheets with a light paint finish, combined with a 50mm layer of fiberglass insulation, is a cost-effective solution chosen by many investors.

4.2. Roof purlin system

C or Z-shaped purlins made of G550 galvanized steel, 1.5–2.5mm thick.
Purlin spacing: 1.2–1.5m depending on the type of roofing sheet.
Wind loads need to be calculated according to TCVN 2737:2023.

5. Enclosing walls

5.1. Wall material options

Corrugated sheet metal (cold-rolled steel):

Popular, low cost
Easy to install and replace.
Durability of 15–20 years if galvanized coating ≥ 150g/m² is chosen.

Insulated wall panels:

Good soundproofing and heat insulation
High aesthetic appeal, smooth surface, easy to clean.
Ideal for office areas, clean rooms, and warehouses.

Unfired brick wall at the base:

Height 1.0–1.5m from the ground level
Increases resistance to impact from forklifts and goods.
Often combined with corrugated metal roofing on the upper part of the wall.

6. Materials checklist before signing the contract.

Before approving the materials list from the contractor, the client should check the following criteria:

Structural steel has a certificate of origin and is of the correct grade as per the design.
The roofing sheets have galvanized steel specifications and actual thickness (measured with equipment).
The connecting bolts are of the correct strength grade and have an anti-rust plating.
Anti-rust paint with MSDS sheet, correct application thickness.
Insulating panels (if used) must have an R-value and fire safety certification.
Floor materials (concrete, steel reinforcement) have test certificates from the laboratory.

7. Conclusion

Selecting construction materials for industrial warehouse This is a technical and economic problem that requires careful consideration of each item. Don't let the initial decision to choose materials that are 5% cheaper lead to repair and operating costs increasing 3-5 times later.

The core principle to remember:

Foundations & floors → Don't save, invest wisely from the start.
Steel structure → Requires quality certification, correct design marking.
Roof & walls → Choose the option that best suits the warehouse's function; it doesn't necessarily have to be the most expensive.
Always work with experienced contractors. To receive comprehensive material advice and avoid costly mistakes.

HAI LONG STEEL STRUCTURES IS A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER OF STEEL BUILDING STRUCTURES.

Choosing the right steel structure fabrication partner is a crucial factor in the success of every construction project.

In a market that increasingly demands quality, timeliness, and safety, Hai Long Steel Structure Proud to be the leading brand trusted by many large domestic and foreign investors:

Team experienced engineers, architects and experts, knowledgeable about the design and construction of warehouse factories according to international standards.
Diverse construction capacity, meeting all project sizes and requirements, from simple to complex factories.
We own a steel structure factory with a modern system of machinery and equipment., ensuring fast, accurate and safe construction.
Professional construction process, is strictly managed.

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