The choice of pallet racking for your warehouse can make a lot of difference to the bottom line. When you have a well-designed system, it improves storage space by almost 40 per cent, increases productivity and helps you adapt to inventory needs at a rapid pace. However, with so many different types of racking pallets for a warehouse available, deciding the type of racking best for your operation can be challenging. Many tend to choose selective pallet racks because they are the cheapest, but that may not necessarily be the right choice for you.
So, learn about the different types of pallet racking systems, their applications and advantages in the section below.
1. Selective Pallet Racking
Selective pallet racking is the most popular form of pallet racking for warehouses. This racking form has a wide selection of beam sizes and upright heights, enabling custom configurations. Selective pallet racks allow storing loads at various heights and access to 100 per cent of the loads net worth.
Advantages
- Easy to deinstall and assemble
- Configured in multiple ways
- Relatively low priced compared to other pallet racking systems
2. Double Deep Pallet Racking
A double-deep pallet racking system creates racks by installing two adjacent rows, providing high storage density. It is the most cost-effective racking pallets for a warehouse that requires high-density storage space. However, since these pallets are two loads deep, you would require double-deep reach trucks with extendable pantographs for loading and unloading.
Advantages
- Easy to deinstall and assemble
- More storage density than a selective pallet racking system
- Configured in several forms for different industrial equipment
- Lower entry price than other complex pallet racking systems
3. Carton Flow Pallet Racks
A carton flow racking system is ideal for businesses with high product turnover rates. These racks are best for lightweight items where there is a need to pick up orders quickly and frequently. These also have rollers mounted on rails to transport cartons from loading to the theviralnewj picking side, allowing workers easy access during carton loading and unloading.
Advantages
- Used for carton sizes of different combinations
- Uses gravity as a source of free power
- Excellent visibility of inventory
- Better efficiency for order fulfilment
4. Cantilever Racking System
Cantilever racking systems are ideal for storing items like lumber, carpet rolls and pipes. These are built out of a combination of bases, arms and towers that support heavy loads. The racking system employs vertical supports to the rear of the structure and uses arms extending from the back to provide adequate support during loading.
Advantages
- Perfect for long loads
- Easy installation and reconfiguration
- Broad capacity range
- No obstruction on the front, which allows the stacking of materials horizontally
5. Multi-tier Pallet Racking
Multi-tier racking offers an excellent way to use vertical space. It has different levels for manual loading and picking. These racking systems are ideal for pharmaceutical companies and fastener distributors with a high demand for storing small items. These racks also have multiple levels that are ideal for high-density picking.
Advantages
- Efficient utilisation of vertical space
- Flexible for different items or carton sizes
- Easy access to SKUs without needing industrial equipment
- Enclosed and safe for maximising worker safety
Conclusion
Since pallet racking systems come in different forms, choosing the right solution becomes difficult. So, you should look at the palletised SKU number, pallet dimension, sizes and weight. Then you should see how long the SKUs will remain in your facility, the ratio of product movement and storage density, and select the best form of retrieval and placement for your needs.
