Types of Warehouse Racking.
Which racking system is right for your warehouse?
The right choice depends on what you store, how often it moves, your handling equipment and the space available.
Design before you buy.
Compare the systems, then start planning your layout with EasyDesign.
What is warehouse racking?
Warehouse racking systems are designed to organise pallets, goods and materials while making efficient use of available warehouse floor space and height. There are several types of warehouse racking, each designed around different storage densities, pallet access requirements, stock profiles and handling equipment.
There is no single system that suits every warehouse. A business storing hundreds of different product lines may need a very different layout from an operation storing large volumes of the same palletised product.
Pallet dimensions, stock rotation, SKU count, forklift type, aisle requirements, building height and future growth should all be considered before choosing a warehouse racking system.
What are the main types of warehouse racking?
Common warehouse storage systems include selective pallet racking, VNA pallet racking, drive-in racking, push-back racking and cantilever racking. Mezzanine floors can also form part of a wider warehouse storage strategy by creating additional usable floor area.
Selective Pallet Racking
Selective pallet racking provides direct access to individual pallet positions and is one of the most flexible warehouse storage systems.
If you're comparing conventional selective racking with a narrow-aisle approach, read our Selective vs VNA Pallet Racking guide .
VNA Pallet Racking
Very Narrow Aisle pallet racking uses narrower operating aisles to increase the amount of racking that can potentially fit within the available warehouse floor area while retaining direct pallet access.
Drive-In Pallet Racking
Drive-in pallet racking provides high-density storage by allowing forklifts to enter deep storage lanes rather than accessing each pallet from a conventional aisle.
Push-Back Pallet Racking
Push-back racking stores multiple pallets deep while allowing loading and retrieval to take place from the aisle face.
Comparing high-density storage systems? Read our Drive-In vs Push-Back Racking guide .
Cantilever Racking
Cantilever racking provides open-fronted storage for long or awkward items such as timber, pipe, steel sections, boards and other bulky materials.
Warehouse Mezzanine Floors
A mezzanine is not pallet racking in the traditional sense, but it can create another usable floor level within an existing warehouse and make better use of the building's available height.
Explore Warehouse Mezzanine Floors →How do you choose the right warehouse racking system?
Consider your stock profile
Warehouses holding many different products often benefit from systems offering direct pallet access. Operations holding larger quantities of similar stock may benefit from higher-density storage.
Consider handling equipment
Forklift type has a major influence on aisle width, operating space and therefore the amount of storage that can fit within the warehouse.
Consider warehouse height
Storage capacity is influenced by usable height as well as floor space. Rack height and handling equipment should be considered together.
Consider the complete layout
Once you've started comparing storage systems, the next step is understanding how they fit into the complete warehouse. Read our guide on how to design a warehouse racking layout .
Compare warehouse racking systems.
| System | Best suited to | Density | Pallet access | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selective | General pallet storage | Medium | Direct | More aisle space |
| VNA | High-capacity direct-access storage | High | Direct | Narrow-aisle equipment |
| Drive-In | Large quantities of similar stock | Very high | By lane | Forklift enters lane |
| Push-Back | Multiple-deep storage | High | By lane | Moving pallet mechanism |
| Cantilever | Long and bulky goods | Application dependent | Direct | Non-standard loads |
| Mezzanine | Creating additional usable space | N/A | N/A | Uses warehouse height |
Not sure which system fits your warehouse?
Use EasyDesign to start planning your warehouse racking layout or submit your requirements through EasyQuote when you're ready for pricing.
Warehouse racking FAQs.
What is the most common type of warehouse racking?
Selective pallet racking is widely used because it provides direct access to individual pallet positions and can suit many warehouse operations.
Which racking system gives the highest storage density?
Systems such as drive-in, push-back and VNA can increase storage density in different ways. The best option depends on the warehouse and stock profile.
What is the difference between selective and VNA racking?
Both can provide direct pallet access. VNA uses narrower operating aisles to make more efficient use of available floor space.
What racking is used for long materials?
Cantilever racking is commonly used for long or awkward materials such as timber, pipes, steel and boards.
Can EasyRack help design my warehouse?
Yes. EasyDesign allows you to start planning your warehouse racking layout and EasyQuote can be used when you are ready to request pricing.
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