From clipper industrial shelving to rivet shelving, we carry a wide assortment of materials. Some products may come with specified shelving components, but most industrial shelving systems have standardized parts that can be assembled similarly.
This will teach you about some of the basic shelving components we have available including how they would work with your existing system.
Basic Parts
There is a lot more to industrial shelving than just bolts and nuts, especially when you are working with industrial warehouse shelving. Once you have weighed your shelving options, the whole process becomes a lot more difficult than you may have initially thought it would be.
Never fear – you will learn everything you need to know about shelving systems right here!
Shelving
The shelves are obviously the most important part of the industrial shelving components as they extend between the upright posts to create the necessary framework to store your products.
There are different types of shelving materials depending on the type you decide to use:
- Wire Shelves
- Heavy-Duty Steel
- Particle board
Pictured here is backroom shelving, which is the optimal choice to store smaller items and more diverse inventories. It also works for almost any type of storage environment.
Particle board will work fine for backroom shelving, but you will need steel shelves for heavy-duty applications. These types of shelves, measured by gauge, come in a variety of different sizes. You will also need to determine what type of strength and integrity you expect your shelves to have as the way the manufacturer finishes the edges determines their longevity. We recommend boxed finishes and flanged edges for heavy-duty storage as they hold up well.
Shelving Upright Posts
Upright posts are required to keep your shelves in place. Uprights come in different configurations and sizes depending on the type of shelving you plan on using which can affect how they are assembled as well as the structure’s overall integrity.
Common shelving types include:
Additionally, upright posts come in various assembly types such as the following:
- Beaded
- Wide-Span
- Offset Angle
- Box Posts
- T-Posts
Shelving Braces
Many shelving systems have braces for structural soundness and added strength. Not all industrial shelving systems require them for structural stability though. Typical brace sets are installed in an “X” pattern along the back and/or side of each shelving unit to evenly distribute the weight of your items across the entire structure.
Braces are placed in specific areas on each unit. If you’re not sure where the braces should go, ask a manufacturer to help you determine the correct placement.
Additional Metal Industrial Shelving Accessories and Parts
Now you know that most shelving units contain braces, upright posts, and shelves, but there are some structures that require some extra hardware.
The following list below contains some common industrial steel accessories and shelving parts you might encounter as you are putting your units together:
- Dividers: Dividers separate products and keep shelves organized.
- Sides: Shelving sides keep certain sections closed off.
- Clips: Clips help keep shelves in place. Clipless shelving is also available. They use the connection between the shelf itself and the upright.
- Backs: Some shelving units have backs that enclose one side of the shelf to offer structural strength that is similar to braces and works well for storing products such as books or important documents.
- Boxes: Boxes are good to store loose products as well as keep items separated.
- Beams: Some shelving units contain beams that extend between the upright posts so that the shelves can rest on top of them. In this case, the shelf creates the overall structural framework for the structure.
These are only a few examples of accessories you may find in industrial shelving.
Your shelving can be configured to suit your specific needs. We have open configurations, closed configurations, and other specifications such as shelf size and location.
Shelving Materials
You have several different shelving material options to choose from that all have their own pros and cons. Price and strength should be taken into consideration. Steel is the most popular used shelving material as it is quite durable and has excellent tensile strength.
Most warehouses use steel. Other suppliers may offer shelving that is made from different materials, but Stein Service Supply only offers steel shelving (except for cleanroom storage) due to its durability, and strength. You may sometimes find wood, which is commonly used for backroom shelving.
Our qualified team of storage professionals is here to help you with all of your storage needs. We can even help you with warehouse design or warehouse installation. Contact us today to learn more about our services and product offerings.
