There are primarily two types of warehouse storage systems: Racking (including cantilever racking and pallet racking) and shelving (like longspan, RUT, and rivet shelving).But how do you know which is the right solution for your business?
Racking is a modular and expandable storage system primarily used for heavy, bulky items that are typically palletized, allowing easy access for forklifts.
Cantilever racking consists of upright columns with bracing and cantilevered arms extending from the columns. It is highly customizable with various heights, depths, and bracing sizes, making it ideal for storing long and heavy goods without obstruction across the arm levels. It can be configured as single-entry or double-sided, offering versatile storage solutions.
Pallet racking is suitable for storing pallets or stock cages, requiring horizontal beams for each level connected to a braced upright frame. This type of racking is popular in larger warehouse spaces, maximizing vertical storage capacity and facilitating easy item access.
In contrast, industrial shelving is designed at a human scale and can even serve as a work surface, like a longspan workbench. Unlike pallet racking or cantilever racking, industrial shelving is not intended for pallet storage and is better suited for lighter items or those that require easy visibility and accessibility.
Both racking and shelving have their advantages and limitations, and choosing the right option depends on the specific needs and requirements of your business.
Cantilever Racking
What types of products should be stored in cantilever racking?
Cantilever racking is most suitable for storing long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items such as timber, steel, lumber, beams, pipes, and flatpack furniture. This storage system allows personnel and forklift operators easy access to the stored items, particularly beneficial for non-stackable items, provided that appropriate safety measures are in place to prevent rolling, such as our end stop spigots.
Advantages of cantilever racking
- Increased storage capacity compared to traditional industrial shelving.
- Flexibility to store items of different lengths by adjusting the arms and bracing.
- Unobstructed access to stored items due to the absence of horizontal beams or supports.
- Ability to support heavy items, thanks to the long arms.
Disadvantages of cantilever racking
- Compliance with safety regulations necessitates expert knowledge.
- Higher initial investment compared to traditional industrial shelving.
- Requirement for meticulous planning and installation to ensure compliance with standards, including floor anchoring for stability.
- Risk of item damage if not properly loaded onto the arms.
Pallet Racking
What types of items are best suited to pallet racking?
Pallet racking, a specialized shelving system designed for warehouse storage, employs horizontal beams and vertical uprights to support pallets and their contents. Its popularity in warehouses stems from its space efficiency and easy item accessibility. Pallet racking configurations can include FIFO (first in first out), FILO (first in last out), Double Deep, or Selective Pallet Racking.
Advantages of pallet racking
- Enhanced storage and weight capacity compared to alternative shelving options.
- Flexibility to accommodate items of varying sizes and weights by adjusting beams and uprights.
- Convenient access to stored items on pallets, skids, or in cages.
- Reduced risk of manual handling injuries when using a pallet jack.
Disadvantages of pallet racking
- Higher initial investment relative to other shelving types.
- Navigating safety regulations necessitates specialized knowledge.
- Careful planning and installation required to meet standards, including floor anchoring for stability.
- Risk of damage from forklifts, particularly in confined spaces.
Industrial Shelving
What types of products are more suited to industrial shelving?
Traditional industrial shelving is ideal for storing lighter items that can be stacked. Commonly utilized in retail, hospitality, and office environments, this shelving solution facilitates stock storage, archiving, and convenient access to smaller equipment.
Advantages of traditional industrial shelving
- Lower initial investment compared to cantilever racking.
- Flexibility to store items of various sizes by adjusting shelf heights.
- Simple installation process, often requiring no professional assistance if the installation guide is followed.
- Available in diverse configurations to accommodate spaces in smaller businesses.
Disadvantages of traditional industrial shelving
- Limited storage capacity due to the typically shorter height of shelves compared to racking.
- Unsuitability for very heavy or bulky items when compared to industrial racking systems’ load tolerances.
- RUT shelving offers limited spacing configurability.
- Weight tolerances of rivet shelving may render it inappropriate for heavy industry applications, where longspan shelving is recommended.
Which shelving solution is right for your warehouse?
When choosing between racking and industrial shelving, it’s crucial to assess your business requirements alongside your growth strategy. While standard shelving may suffice for an office or storeroom, it can quickly prove insufficient in a bustling warehouse environment.
Racking may be preferable if you need to store bulky, long, or rolling items, or if your inventory is relatively uniform. Although it entails a higher upfront cost due to floor anchoring requirements and potential need for approval from your commercial building owner, racking offers advantages in certain storage scenarios.
Conclusion
Choosing the right warehouse storage solution involves considering your business needs and future growth. Cantilever racking, pallet racking, and industrial shelving each have unique benefits and drawbacks. Cantilever racking is ideal for long, bulky items, while pallet racking maximizes storage capacity. Industrial shelving is cost-effective for lighter items and smaller operations. By assessing your requirements, you can make an informed decision to optimize space and efficiency in your warehouse.