What’s The Difference Between Racking and Shelving

Some people think that racking and shelving are the same, but only those who are deeply involved in the storage industry know that both are composed of upright frames and beams, steel plate, but they are very different, in this article, we will start from the function of racking and shelving in detail, use scenarios and their respective advantages and disadvantages, to help you make an wise decision

What is Racking

Racking systems are made of heavy-duty materials, with uprights and beams as the key components, usually with the help of pallets to solve the storage solution with a stronger carrying capacity. Widely used in warehouses distribution centers and other industrial sectors to improve storage efficiency and optimize storage space.

What is Shelving

Shelving consists of a frame and steel plate, the biggest purpose of using shelving is to make cluttered areas more neat and aesthetically pleasing, such as homes, retail stores, offices, libraries, etc. Not only does it solve the problem of load-bearing, but it also makes the whole area more aesthetically pleasing by placing arranged products.

Racking VS Shelving

• Storing Products and Loading Capacity:

Racking: Supporting goods using upright frames and horizontal beams, they generally store heavy goods and have a high load capacity;

Shelving: Stores lighter products and loads and is suitable for warehouses with small inventories and little change in demand;

• Access methods:

Racking: Heavy products are usually carried on pallets, and should be accessed by forklift or elevator;

Shelving: Most light products can be accessed directly by hand, requiring less specialized equipment;

• Types:

Racking: Selective pallet racking, drive-in racking, push-back racking, and pallet flow racking are common types of pallet racking designed to improve storage efficiency. They meet the needs of various industries. This article won’t go into detail about each type, but you can check out the article 《Various Types of Pallet Racking》on our website if you’d like to learn more.

Shelving: Shelving comes in the following common types and styles:

Metal shelving: Shelving made of metal material is far ahead in terms of load bearing, strong and durable, and is suitable for storing some heavy products.

Boltless shelving: This type of boltless shelving is most suitable for people without assembly experience, because of the boltless design, assembly is very simple, and the stability and strength of the shelves are no less than the bolt.

Mobile shelving: mobile shelving with the support of the bottom wheels, there is no fixed area, and you can quickly move shelves anywhere, convenient and fast, the bottom wheels can also be locked, and the addition of the bottom wheels feature, helps to save time and personnel safety.

Wire mesh shelving: Wire mesh shelving is an open design that facilitates air circulation and the wire mesh is designed to be easy to clean, suitable for domestic and retail use.

• Cost Spending:

Racking: The cost of racking tends to be higher due to initial expenses for equipment and installation, as well as ongoing maintenance and labor. For example, a multi-level drive-in rack can cost several thousand dollars, while shelving might only cost a few hundred. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure long-term benefits from racking systems.

Shelving: Shelving is generally much more affordable than racking, thanks to its lightweight structure and modular design, making it a cost-effective choice for many applications.

• Flexibility:

The racking system is more fixed after installation, and adjustability is limited, for the search for continuous adjustment and change of the warehouse, shelving is a more suitable choice, whether it is the configuration or adjustability has more flexibility.

Which is Your Best Choice?

What products do you want to store? Large or small products?

Do you need to use mechanical equipment to move the products? If the answer is yes, then racking is the best choice, and the opposite is shelving.

Do you have limited space for shelving? Shelving is recommended for small spaces while racking is recommended for adequate spaces.

Do you store products that need to change frequently? If there are frequent changes, then shelving can help you fulfill this concern;

Do you have special requirements for your storage needs? If you need to store specific products, such as food or pharmaceuticals, then you will choose racking, if there is no specific requirement, shelving may be a better choice.

All of the above questions can help you get the best answer when you are struggling to choose between racking or shelving. If you have any doubts when choosing a storage solution, please let us know and OKE will be pleased to help you according to your needs and storage goals!