Frequently Asked Questions

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We offer a broad selection from many suppliers.  By working alongside major retailers and manufacturers we are able to provide almost every option of pallet racking and accessories. Below is short list of our top partners!

Leading Pallet Rack Manufacturers:

Interlake Mecalux -  A prominent global player in the storage systems market, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and sale of metal racking and automated warehouse solutions. They offer selective pallet racking, drive-in and drive-through racking, pallet flow systems, and AS/RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems) 

UNARCO - Manufactures structural and roll-formed pallet racking and designs warehouse storage systems for various applications. 

Husky Rack & Wire - Known for their quality pallet rack and wire products.

We offer purchases on bulk pallet racking and will pick up and remove materials at no charge!  From decommissions to recycled reclamation, we are here to offer a fair and competitive price on your warehouse liquidation items!  Submit your items on our quotes page today and get a response within 24 hours!

We offer one of the largest non-auction based used inventory!  Our items are always a 3 out of 5 or higher for quality. Every item on our used inventory list is inspected by at least 3 veterans of our industry before submitted to our online listings.

This varies broadly on the manufacturer, length of beam, width of beam, and gauge of metal. The most commonly used beam length is 96" inches.  The weight capacity of a 96" beam can vary anywhere from 3,000LB(3" face) to 14,000(6" face). Even those values can be widened by placing specialty orders with many manufacturers.  

It is best for you to discuss the applications of your pallet racking system with the retailer so they can help pick what size beams and uprights are ideal or required for your project.

Pallet racking is a very versatile system.  From the various types such as selective or push back. The exact number of pallet positions really depends on the size of the system and the system chosen.  For optimal results, contact the retailer or a pallet racking installation company to discuss the desired number of pallet positions desired. Certain systems such as push back or flow rack take up more space than selective rack to achieve the same number of pallet positions. 

Installing pallet racking can be a complex and physically demanding job, especially for large systems. Safety is paramount, and it's highly recommended to use experienced professionals, particularly for significant installations or if you're unfamiliar with the process. Incorrect installation can lead to collapse, serious injuries, and damage to goods.  Contact us for a quote on getting your system installed!

The cost of pallet racking varies significantly based on numerous factors, making it challenging to give a single price. However, we can break down the key elements that influence the cost and provide some general ranges.

Key Factors Influencing Pallet Racking Cost:

1. Type of Pallet Racking System: This is the biggest determinant of cost.
    
   • Selective Pallet Racking (most common and usually least expensive): Offers direct access to every pallet.
   • Double-Deep Pallet Racking: Stores pallets two deep, increasing density but requiring specialized forklifts.
   • Drive-In/Drive-Through Racking: High-density, LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) or FIFO (First-In, First-Out) storage. Forklifts drive directly into the bays.
   • Push-Back Racking: High-density, LIFO, uses carts on inclined rails.
   • Pallet Flow Racking (Gravity Flow): High-density, FIFO, uses rollers and gravity to move pallets.
   • Pallet Shuttle Racking: Semi-automated, very high density, uses robotic shuttles.
   • Cantilever Racking: For long, bulky items (lumber, pipes).

1. New vs. Used:
    
   • New Racking: Generally higher cost, but comes with warranties, consistent quality, and a wider range of options.
   • Used Racking: Can be 30-70% cheaper than new, but availability depends on the market, condition varies, and selection might be limited.

1. Material and Construction:
    
   • Roll-Formed Steel: Most common, usually teardrop style, often lighter duty.
   • Structural Steel: Heavier duty, bolted connections, more resistant to impact, typically more expensive.
   • Gauge/Thickness: Thicker steel means higher capacity and higher cost.

1. Height and Depth:
    
   • Taller uprights and deeper bays require more material and are generally more expensive.
   • Higher systems also incur higher installation costs due to the need for lifts and more complex safety measures.

1. Weight Capacity:
    
   • Racks designed for heavier loads require stronger, more expensive components (thicker beams, heavier gauge steel).

1. Accessories and Features:
    
   • Wire Decking: Adds significant cost per level.
   • Column Guards/Post Protectors: Essential for protecting uprights from forklift damage.
   • Row Spacers: For back-to-back rack rows.
   • Safety Netting/Backing: For fall protection.
   • Customization: Non-standard sizes or configurations.
   • Seismic Reinforcement: Required in earthquake-prone areas, adds substantial cost.

Pallet racking width isn't a single dimension, but rather a combination of two key measurements:

1. Frame Depth (or Upright Depth): This refers to the front-to-back measurement of the upright frames. It determines how deep your pallets can be stored.
    
   • Most Common Depths: 
     • 42 inches (42"): This is the most common depth for standard 48-inch deep pallets. It allows for a 3-inch overhang on both the front and back of the pallet, which is important for proper weight distribution on the beams.
     • 48 inches (48"): Used for larger pallets or if you want less overhang.
     • 36 inches (36"): Common for 42-inch deep pallets.
   • Other Available Depths: You can also find 24", 30", 44", and even 72" depths, though these are less standard. Depths less than 24" are typically for hand-stacking applications, not pallets.

1. Beam Length: This is the horizontal distance between the upright frames and dictates how many pallets can be stored side-by-side on a single beam level.
    
   • Most Common Lengths (for North American standard 40" wide x 48" deep pallets): 
     • 96 inches (96" or 8 feet): This is the most common beam length. It's designed to accommodate two standard 40" wide pallets per level, with appropriate clearance (typically 3-4 inches between pallets and 3 inches between the pallet and the upright).
     • 108 inches (108" or 9 feet): Sometimes used for two pallets with more clearance or for specific pallet sizes.
     • 120 inches (120" or 10 feet): Often used for two larger or custom pallets or to provide extra space for two standard pallets.
     • 144 inches (144" or 12 feet): Ideal for storing three standard 40" wide pallets per level, offering higher density.
   • Other Available Lengths: Beams can range from 48" (4 feet) up to 168" or even 192" for specialized applications.

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Disassembling pallet racking, like installation, requires careful planning, adherence to safety protocols, and often specific tools. It's crucial to prioritize safety to prevent injuries and damage to the racking components.

WARNING: If you have a large or complex racking system, or if you are unsure about any steps, it is highly recommended to hire professional racking disassembly and liquidation services. They have the experience, equipment, and insurance to do the job safely and efficiently

Most common pallet racking frame depths are 42 inches (42") and 48 inches (48").

• 42" deep: Most common for standard 48" deep pallets (allows 3" overhang front/back).
• 48" deep: For less pallet overhang or larger pallets.

Other depths (e.g., 24", 30", 36") are available for specific needs. Frame depth impacts pallet overhang, aisle width, and system stability. Always match frame depth to your pallet size for safety.

Designing pallet racking involves matching your storage needs to the system's capabilities and warehouse space. Key steps include:

1. Assess Your Pallets:
    
   • Dimensions (W x D x H): Measure your largest pallet with its load.
   • Weight: Determine the maximum weight of a loaded pallet.

1. Choose Racking Type:
    
   • Selective: Most common, direct access to every pallet.
   • High-Density: (e.g., Drive-In, Push-Back, Pallet Flow) For maximizing storage, but often limit access to specific inventory methods (LIFO/FIFO).

1. Calculate Racking Dimensions:
    
   • Frame Depth: (usually pallet depth minus 6" for overhang, e.g., 42" for 48" pallets).
   • Beam Length: Based on pallet width + required clearances (e.g., 96" for two 40" wide pallets).
   • Upright Height: Pallet height + beam height + vertical clearance for forklifts (consider ceiling height, fire suppression, and building codes).
   • Beam Capacity: Must exceed the total weight of pallets per level.
   • Upright Capacity: Must exceed the total weight for all levels it supports.

1. Layout Your Warehouse:
    
   • Floor Plan: Map out building columns, doors, utilities, and other obstructions.
   • Aisle Widths: Ensure adequate space for your forklifts to maneuver safely.
   • Flow: Plan for efficient receiving, storage, and shipping processes.
   • Safety: Incorporate flue space, column protectors, and clear egress paths.

Always consult with a professional racking designer or material handling expert and check local building codes for safety and compliance.

Submit a request including your address and contact information and we'll do the work for you!!

Pallet racking height is determined by:

• Building Height: Clear ceiling height, considering sprinklers (NFPA requires ~18" clearance from top load).
• Forklift Reach: Your equipment's maximum lift height.
• Rack Stability: Height-to-depth ratio (RMI guideline: generally 6:1 or less for single rows without extra bracing).
• Load Characteristics: Weight and stability of pallets.
• Local Building & Fire Codes: Specific regulations vary by location.
• Seismic Activity: Requires specialized engineering.

Common heights range from 8 feet to over 30 feet, depending on these factors. Always consult a professional for safe design.

A pallet racking system is a storage solution that uses vertical metal frames (uprights) and horizontal beams to organize and hold palletized goods in multiple levels within a warehouse.

It's designed to:

• Maximize vertical space for high-density storage.
• Improve organization and inventory management.
• Allow forklift access for efficient loading and retrieval.

Common types include selective, drive-in, push-back, and pallet flow, each suited for different storage needs and inventory rotation methods.

Selective pallet racking is the most common and versatile pallet storage system. It's designed to provide direct, individual access to every single pallet in the rack.

Key features:

• 100% selectivity: Any pallet can be accessed without moving others.
• Simple design: Consists of upright frames and horizontal beams.
• Adaptable: Accommodates various pallet sizes and weights.
• Compatible: Works with most standard forklifts.
• Lower density: Requires aisles for each row, using more floor space than high-density systems.
• Ideal for: High SKU counts, FIFO inventory, and operations needing immediate access to all products

Adjustable pallet racking is the most widely used type of pallet racking. Its key feature is the ability to easily change the vertical height of the horizontal beams.

Key features:

• Flexibility: Beam levels can be raised or lowered (typically in 1" to 4" increments) to accommodate pallets of varying heights, maximizing vertical space.
• Versatility: Suitable for diverse products, pallet sizes, and weights.
• Adaptability: Can be easily reconfigured as storage needs change, making it cost-effective for growing businesses.
• Commonly Selective: While "adjustable" refers to beam height, most adjustable racking systems are selective, offering direct access to every pallet.

Teardrop pallet racking is the most common and widely used style of roll-formed pallet racking. It gets its name from the distinctive inverted teardrop-shaped holes punched into the upright frames.

Key features:

• Boltless Connection: Beams simply "lock" into these teardrop holes via compatible connectors on the beam ends, requiring no bolts or tools for assembly (except for initial frame setup).
• Easy Adjustability: Beam levels can be quickly and easily raised or lowered in 2-inch increments, making it highly flexible for changing storage needs.
• Interchangeability: Due to its widespread adoption, many manufacturers produce "teardrop compatible" components, allowing for mixing and matching of beams and uprights from different brands (though always verify compatibility).
• Cost-Effective: Its popularity contributes to its affordability and availability, both new and used.

Live pallet racking, also known as pallet flow racking or gravity flow racking, is a high-density storage system that uses inclined rollers or wheels to move pallets.

Key features:

• Gravity-fed: Pallets are loaded onto one end of a sloped lane and roll by gravity to the picking face at the other end.
• High-density: Maximizes space by eliminating aisles between rows.
• Automatic Stock Rotation: Primarily designed for FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory management, ensuring older stock is picked first, ideal for perishable goods or those with expiration dates.
• Reduced Handling: Minimizes forklift travel and labor by automatically presenting the next pallet.
• Separated Aisles: Loading and unloading often occur in separate aisles, improving safety and flow.

Pallet flow racking (also known as live pallet racking) is a high-density storage system utilizing inclined lanes with rollers or wheels.

Key features:

• Gravity-fed FIFO: Pallets are loaded from one end and roll by gravity to the picking face, ensuring First-In, First-Out inventory rotation.
• Space Efficient: Eliminates aisles between storage lanes, maximizing warehouse cubic space.
• Reduced Labor: Minimizes forklift travel and handling time by automatically replenishing the pick face.
• Ideal for: Perishable goods, high-volume SKUs, or products with expiration dates requiring strict rotation.

Push-back pallet racking is a high-density storage system that uses wheeled carts on inclined rails within each lane.

Key features:

• LIFO (Last-In, First-Out): Pallets are loaded and unloaded from the same aisle. When loading, the forklift "pushes back" existing pallets to make room for new ones. When unloading, gravity causes the remaining pallets to "push forward" to the picking face.
• High-density: Stores pallets 2 to 6 deep (or more) in a single lane, significantly increasing storage capacity compared to selective racking.
• Good selectivity: Each lane can hold a different SKU, offering more selectivity than drive-in racking.
• Ideal for: Medium-turnover goods, batch picking, and facilities needing to maximize space for a limited number of SKUs.

Drive-in pallet racking is a high-density storage system where forklifts literally drive into the rack structure to load and retrieve pallets.

Key features:

• Maximizes space: Eliminates multiple aisles, creating deep storage lanes (up to 10+ pallets deep).
• LIFO (Last-In, First-Out): Pallets are loaded and unloaded from the same entry point, making the last pallet in the first one out.
• Ideal for: Storing large volumes of homogeneous (same) products with low turnover, or for cold storage where maximizing cubic space is critical.
• Less selectivity: Access to individual pallets is limited, as you must remove front pallets to reach those deeper in the lane.Add an answer to this item.

Double deep pallet racking is an extension of selective pallet racking that stores pallets two deep from the same aisle.

Key features:

• Increased Density: Stores approximately 40-45% more pallets than single selective racking by reducing the number of aisles.
• LIFO (Last-In, First-Out): To access the back pallet, the front pallet must first be removed.
• Requires Specialized Forklifts: Typically needs a "deep reach" or "double-reach" forklift with telescopic forks to access the second pallet.
• Ideal for: Companies with a limited number of SKUs that have multiple pallets of each, and where LIFO inventory rotation is acceptable (e.g., non-perishables, bulk storage).Add an answer to this item.