Despite what may be perceived, warehouse storage solutions are far from "one-size-fits-all" options. And an essential component of any warehouse storage system is what may seem the most simple: shelving. But there are various types of warehouse shelving you can acquire, and it's imperative to know the key differences between them to make the best decision for your facility and workforce.
In this post, we'll cover different types of shelving that you can outfit your warehouse with to help you decide which would work best in your facility. Read on to learn more:
Warehouse Storage Solutions: The Various Types of Warehouse Shelving
Here's a closer look at some of the most popular types of shelving solutions:
Steel Shelving
Steel shelving is versatile and economical in terms of its dimensions and how many pounds of material it can safely support. Let's start with versatility. Steel shelves can easily be adjusted by the network of posts, clips, and shelving units needed for assembly.
Steel shelves are generally available at depths that range from 12 to 24 inches, widths of 48 inches, and a height of 84 inches. There are also various options you can include with steel shelving, such as side and end panels, shelf bins, particle board shelves, dividers, label holders, and more.
In terms of durability, steel shelves can adequately hold anywhere from 300 to 1,200 pounds per shelf. Make sure you consider what will actually be going on these shelves to build them accordingly.
Rivet Shelving
Rivet shelving offers the strength and flexibility of steel shelving. However, because there are no bolts and nuts to configure, it's a much easier setup than other types of shelving. All you need to do is slide the shelving units into the support posts until they click into place. Another benefit of rivet shelving is it can generally support more weight than other types of shelving: A trait that makes this shelving type ideal for large warehouses or facilities that regularly handle heavy materials.
Wire Shelving
Though less durable than rivet or steel shelving, the nice thing about wire shelving is that the units are see-through and circulate air through all levels. It's these characteristics that make wire shelving one of the more popular options in warehouses when it comes to storing lighter parts, products, and materials. In addition, wire shelving is simple and doesn't consume too much time.
Mobile Aisle Shelving
High-density storage meets durability when it comes to mobile aisle shelving. These custom-engineered systems work by a floor track and a group of carriages that ride along the track. Essentially, mobile aisle shelving units are among the most advanced warehouse storage systems available today, as they allow warehouse managers to reduce the number of aisles of shelving, increase storage capacity and organization, and make for a safer overall environment. In some situations, mobile aisle shelving systems can double storage capacity.
In terms of safety, operators can control the mobile carriages with a hand crank – moving up to thousands of pounds of material by exercising just a single pound of effort. More advanced mobile aisle shelving solutions can move shelves electronically.
As you can see, not all shelving types are created equal, and it can take some careful planning and consideration to settle on the type that's best for your facility.
