The industrial storage equipment market is a $13 billion global industry. As an industrial manufacturer, we often receive inquiries from customers seeking industrial shelving, but sometimes they confuse the two types of shelving.
For example, some warehouses require industrial racking for manual storage, also known as medium-duty shelves, which is best suited for manual picking and hand tracks transit.
When warehouses use forklifts to place pallets on storage equipment, medium-duty shelves are designed to have difficulty carrying the pallets. So require the use of racking specifically designed to carry pallets. When learning about supplier case studies, new warehouse managers often ask, “What’s the difference between racking and shelving? Which one is best for my inventory? Let’s take a deeper look.
What is Industrial Shelving and Racking
Unlike home or garage shelving, industrial shelving refers to an overall storage system consisting of sturdy metal shelves, usually made of steel or aluminum. These shelves are designed to store a variety of items, from small parts and tools to large products and materials.
For small to medium-sized commercial warehouses with limited space, forklifts are often inefficient. Manual handling or hand trucks can adequately meet most inventory handling needs. In these cases, industrial shelving, some manufacturer call it longspan racking is the most commonly recommended option by suppliers. The following two types can be referred to as long-span shelving.
Boltless Racking: This type of racking is easy to assemble and can be reconfigured as needed, making it a flexible storage solution.
Metal Racking: Made of heavy-duty metal, this type of racking is known for its durability and ability to support heavier loads.
Made of cold rolled rolled steel, industrial shelving is strong and durable. It designed for handling large goods such as pallets, drums and other heavy stock. The secret lies in their construction: box beams. These beams are extruded from two sheets of steel to withstand greater weight.
Most of the racking you’ll see in large warehouses are integrated racking systems, such as warehouses storing refrigerated goods, dry goods or automotive parts. In this type of automated or semi-automated facility, selective pallet racking, drive-in racking and push-back racking or mezzanine racking are the best options.
Key Differences Between Shelving and Racking
Structural Design Differences
In layman’s terms, industrial shelving is like an open, flexible storage system built with strong metal shelves. Industrial racking is a sturdy, structured giant designed to handle heavy-duty loads.
Structure, the key different of a shelf to a rack. Racking systems design to keep heavy duty pallets, the componts such as uprights,beams,columns is thicker than shelves. When you find a racking manufacturer catalogy, shelves use step beams, racks use box beam.
Step Beams
Box Beams
Weight Capacity and Load Handling
Industrial shelving systems are designed to handle heavier loads, and while each pallet or shelf can typically hold thousands of pounds, shelves are better suited to carrying lighter weights. Industrial shelves are typically equipped with layer board, the standard capacity is 300-800 kilograms per tier. As a heavy-duty storage equipment, racking can hold up to 1 ton or more with its sturdy beams. So industrial shelving is typically less expensive than racking.
Accessibility and Functionality
Industrial shelving is usually placed on open shelves, thus allowing for better manual access to stored items. Industrial racking is designed to store items in a more compact, space-saving manner, and access to pallets often requires the help of a forklift.
Suitable Applications for Each
Industrial shelving is well-suited for storing a wide variety of items, from small parts and tools to larger products, in environments where easy access and flexibility are important. Industrial racking, on the other hand, is better suited for warehousing and storage of heavy, bulky items, where high-density storage and weight capacity are the primary concerns.
What Factors Should You Consider
There are many different types of industrial shelving and racking on the market, so it’s vital to choose the one that best suits your needs. check our list to find the most suitable racking for your business.
| Factor | |
| Type of products you need to store | Consider if the items are fragile, bulky, or oddly shaped. |
| Weight of the products you need to store | Shelves and racks need to be able to support the weight of your items. |
| Amount of available space | Consider the dimensions of your space and how much storage you need. |
| Quantity of products you need to store | This will help you determine how many shelves or racks you’ll need. |
| Future storage needs as your business grows | Allow for some extra space to accommodate future growth. |
Which is Right for You: Industrial Shelving or Racking?
Need a storage solution that’s as strong as it is smart ? Look no further! Heda Shelves has your back with a massive lineup of shelves and racks built to handle anything you throw at them.
Our shelves are like sturdy rocks, standing strong no matter what you pile on. Choose from a bunch of sizes to fit your stuff just right. And when it comes to racks, we’ve got you covered with pallet racks for those heavy hitters and cantilever racks for awkward-shaped items. Basically, we’ve got the perfect storage buddy waiting for you!
FAQs
What materials are commonly used in industrial shelving and racking?
Industrial shelving and racking systems are typically made from steel, which provides durability and strength. Other materials may include wood or composite materials for lighter-duty applications.
How do I determine the best option for my warehouse?
Evaluate your inventory type, the volume of goods to be stored, the height of your warehouse, and safety considerations when determining the best storage solution.
Can I convert shelving to racking or vice versa?
While some configurations might allow for conversion, it is generally more efficient to choose the appropriate system based on your specific storage needs rather than attempting to modify existing units.
