Guide to shelving and racking
There are many different types of shelving and racking available to suit all possible requirements and uses. However, choosing the right type of storage system can be challenging, especially if it is for new storage requirements. You will need to consider not just what you are storing but where you are storing it. The guide below will help you select the best storage option for your needs.
What different types of shelving and storage systems are available?
Archive shelving
Archive shelving varies from light duty for use with files and ring binders to heavy duty for archiving and storing medical records, legal files, accounts and other essential documents. Lighter duty office shelving is often more suitable for installation against a wall while heavier duty archive shelving may allow for access from both sides. Boltless options are available for extremely easy installation.
Cantilever racking
Cantilever racking is extremely heavy duty racking designed for safely storing long, heavy materials such as tubes, bars, structural steel or timber. Suitable for loads of mixed size and weight. Without front uprights to get in the way, items can be stored on the arms horizontally, making them easier to access and handle, either manually or with a forklift. Additional arms, uprights and braces can be added to extend the system.
Heavy duty shelving
Heavy duty shelving offers a higher load capacity per shelf than standard stores shelving. This type of shelving is suitable for warehouse storage but is supplied complete with shelves for storing boxes or other items, unlike pallet racking, which must be used with palletised goods. This range includes widespan and longspan shelving options.
Pallet racking
Pallet rack systems are constructed from end frames and beams and are supplied without shelves, with the pallets themselves resting across the beams. There are many different types of pallet racking but all allow for the storage of palletised goods in horizontal rows across multiple levels. You will need access to a forklift, or perhaps a stacker in a smaller warehouse, in order to manoeuvre pallets on and off the racking.
Small parts shelving
Small parts shelving is supplied complete with parts bins or boxes to store and organise components, fixings and other small parts providing quick and easy access whenever necessary. Many options are designed with “stop lugs” so that the boxes cannot be pulled off the shelves, preventing both the loss of parts and the nuisance caused when a box gets dropped!
Warehouse shelving
Storage shelving is designed for use in stockrooms, workshops, retail environments and even garages. This type of shelving is extremely versatile and is suitable for a wide range of uses. Different finishes are suitable for different environments: powder-coated (or lacquered) is suitable for dry indoor environments only, galvanised is rust proof and suitable for damp areas, stainless steel can be washed down and is suitable for use in food environments while chrome gives a smart but relatively inexpensive finish on lighter-duty shelving and is ideal for display purposes.
Tyre racking
Tyre racks provide convenient storage for tyres of various types and sizes.
Vertical storage
Vertical storgae racks provide a simple, space-saving storage solution for both sheet materials and long materials; items are stored upright in order to save floor space and allow easy access to individual items.
More questions?
Click here to see our Guide to building your racking and Questions to ask yourself when choosing a shelving system.
If you have any more questions or need any help with space planning, our customer service team is here to help. We can advise you on the most suitable racking or shelving, put together a floor plan and even arrange a site visit if required.
