What Is A Pallet Racking And Shelving System And Which One Is Best?

by Vinsky Sarah Marketing Manager

If your logistics warehouse becomes inflexible or your capacity limit is reached, you will need to rebuild or expand your logistics facility. This is where choosing the right pallet rack or shelf system becomes critical for a company's success. Before choosing a pallet racking shelving system you must be first familiar with the basic differences between the two. You can consult pallet racking suppliers and ask them for the right suggestions that suit your requirements. This article will help you understand what a racking system is and the basic difference between pallet racking and shelving.

What is a racking system?

Racking systems are rugged storage solutions and are typically designed to be accessed by mechanized devices such as forklifts and cherry pickers.

Pallet racking- Made of durable, sturdy, high-strength steel, it can withstand the weight of bulky items such as large boxes and entire pallets, hence it is called a pallet rack system. These tall and wide structures are usually floor mounted and designed to be independent of the main building structure. For safety reasons, most warehouses avoid stacking pallets above a certain height, but any height is acceptable. Rather than sturdy shelves, pallet racks have patented mesh shelves or no shelves in the least. Some have special rails on which the pallets slide.

Industrial shelving-Industrial shelves are not much different from home shelves, except for the fact that they are mostly much larger and made of stronger materials. Industrial shelves, which are sought after as storage solutions for individually picked products by hand, are practical and versatile. In fact, industrial shelves come in a variety of sizes and can be designed for the layout of a particular commercial or industrial environments, such as a warehouse, office, or store. However, it is generally intended for small items that can be physically reached and processed without the use of mechanized systems. When it comes to materials, most industrial shelves are made of metal, but they may also include other options such as wood.

What is the difference between racking and shelves?

The difference between racking and shelving is actually pretty simple. Racking is a common storage solution for large items that are accessed via forklifts or mechanical equipment, while shelving is a lightweight option for items that are physically picked up by an individual.
Racks are usually made to store items that are taller, deeper, heavier, and cumbersome than shelves. While shelves are a top priority for the organization for easy access, they can still be configured at multiple levels and designed to withstand heavy loads.

So which storage system solution is best for you?

As you've probably noticed, both pallet racking and shelving is equally good. Both are convenient and provide space-optimized storage solutions that can streamline warehouses and storage locations. So, which of these options is the storage solution that suits your needs?

For large boxes and pallets, it is highly recommended to use a sturdy racking system designed to complement the warehouse layout and can work with forklifts and cherry pickers especially if you have a large storage area.
For small items that need to be visually organized and manually selected, shelves are guaranteed to make your life easier. Additional layers also help you get the most out of your small settings.

Conclusion- If your warehouse or commercial environment deals with different types of goods and procedures, the appropriate storage solution could be a combination of pallet racks and shelves.