Different types of racks in warehouses

If you are considering moving inventory to a warehouse, you should be aware of the different types of racks in warehouses.

But to successfully transition to storage, you’ll need the right equipment. Storage requires a warehouse shelving system or special metal shelving that holds pallets or boxes of inventory.

Warehouse racking systems directly affect the efficiency of your warehouse management, the accuracy of your orders, the speed of fulfillment, and the safety of workers, so before you commit to a racking system, it is important that you do your research.

By understanding the different types of warehouse racks and the costs associated with each type, you’ll be able to find the best model for your warehouse the first time.

We take a closer look at warehouse shelving systems: what they are, why it’s important to choose the right ones, and the challenges of managing and maintaining warehouse shelving systems.

Warehouse pallet racking system

What is a warehouse racking system?

Warehouse racking systems (also called pallet racking systems) are storage systems used in most warehouses to hold inventory.

Warehouse shelving systems are made up of multiple warehouse racks, which are industrial metal shelving designed to store boxes or pallets in various levels of horizontal rows, stacked on top of each other.

Types of racking system in warehouse

What are racking systems used for in warehouses?

Companies use shelving systems to optimize the storage of their warehouses.

Shelving systems can double or triple your warehouse’s inventory holding capacity without increasing the square footage you pay for, making them a cost-effective solution for small businesses looking to maximize their storage space.

A shelving system also helps keep inventory organized by providing dedicated storage space for each SKU.

For fast-growing businesses moving away from cluttered garage storage, steel shelving with storage bins or pallets can improve inventory management and make it easier to find and select units.

Warehouse racking layout design

How to set up a warehouse racking system?

Once you decide what type of shelving system is best for your business, the next step is to carefully consider how to organize that system to maximize efficiency, manage inventory, avoid bottlenecks, and ensure warehouse safety.

Here are some aspects of warehouse shelving to plan for in your company’s warehouse.

Types of racking system and its uses

What are the main types of Pallet Racking?

The different types of pallet racking include the following systems:

Adjustable Pallet Racking

It is the most common and simplest pallet racking system and is designed to mechanically store pallets using forklifts that run parallel to the rows of racks.

It is not a compact system, so it requires a fairly large area for its installation. Its main advantage is direct and quick access to all stored load units, as well as its versatility and adaptability.

Very Narrow Aisle racking (VNA)

VNA pallet racking is an adaptation of the adjustable pallet racking system, but with better use of the available space in the warehouse. The width of the work aisles is reduced to reduce the surface area required for its installation, and direct access to all the stored pallets is maintained.

You need special narrow aisle forklifts to move and operate in the warehouse.

Drive-In and Drive-Through Compact Systems

Both Drive In and Drive Through Compact Racking are a type of racking system for high-density pallets that optimize the available space in the warehouse.

In this system, work aisles are eliminated and the forklift enters the racking structure for loading and unloading operations.

Drive-In racking works according to the LIFO system with a single entry and exit aisle for the forklift, while the Drive Through system works with the FIFO method and has an access aisle for loading and the opposite end for unloading pallets.

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