Pallet Racking vs Cantilever Racking- What is the Difference?

In the realm of growing industries and their need to increase the storage areas, these two racking systems “Pallet Racking and Cantilever Racking” have done commendable jobs in providing enlarged storage space to industries without re-construction of the area or adhering to the blueprint of the warehouses of industries. Each of these racking systems is very different in their features, characteristics, and applications. But one thing that is common in both of them is to increase the storage space of an area without interrupting their blueprint and giving a smooth workflow. In this article, we will delve deep into the difference between the pallet racking and the cantilever racking. Along with individually knowing what is the pallet racking and what is the cantilever racking in the same article.

What is the Pallet Racking?

The most common and widely used racking system in all kinds of industries, warehouses, or even retail stores is the pallet racking system. They are used to store goods in areas that require more visibility of the items to increase the easy workflow of an area and allow the customers or the business owners to check for the stocks that are available in the respective centers. They have a horizontal row with flat surfaces attached to vertical frames to ensure the safe use of the racks.

The key features of a pallet racking are:

• They are versatile in nature, allowing the easy storing of goods on each pallet or shelf.
• They are made of good-quality materials thus increasing the durability and longevity of the racks to accommodate heavy weights.
• They help to increase the space of an area by maximizing the use of vertical space and freeing the ground space.
• They allow easy access to each of the pallets or shelves which thus helps in ease of loading, unloading, or maintaining the arrangement of the goods.

What is Cantilever Racking?

If your industry is one that manufactures irregularly shaped goods that are either long, quite heavy, and can’t fit in the regular pallet racks, the Cantilever racking system fits the best for your industry and warehouses. These racks are meant to accommodate heavy goods that are irregular in shape and size such as the long pies, beams, metal bars, or lumbers. They have horizontally extended arms attached to the vertical columns providing enough space for the goods to be stored easily.

Key features of the cantilever racking are as follows:

• They are versatile for industries, warehouses, or retail shops to store long bars, pipes, or goods that do not fit in pallets.
• They are made of good-quality raw materials to accommodate heavy weights of the irregular goods thus increasing the racks’ durability and long use.
• They provide easy access from the front to each of its long arms which helps in the quick and undisturbed loading or unloading of the items.
• They are best to optimize the ground space and make it a clutter-free area by upholding the bars or pipes which can take up a lot of walking space on the floor.

What are the 10 Differences Between Pallet Racking and Cantilever Racking?

After learning about each of the racking systems in detail. Let us know what are the major differences between pallet racking and cantilever racking systems used widely in industries, warehouses, or even in retail shops.

1. Designing: The pallet racking has pallets or shelves as the horizontal rows attached to the vertical columns. While the cantilever racking has extended arms instead of flat surfaces and is attached to the vertical columns.
2. Load-Bearing Capacity: The pallet racking makes it easy to store heavy or light goods that can be arranged directly on the horizontal beams. While the cantilever racking accommodates heavy and irregularly shaped goods on their extended arms.
3. Versatility: The pallet racking systems are versatile in industries or warehouses where pallet goods are to be stored. While the cantilever racking systems are versatile for the areas accommodating long and irregular heavy goods.
4. Accessibility: The pallet racking systems allow direct access to each of its pallets from all sides. While the cantilever racking allows loading or unloading items only from the front.
5. Re-arrangement: The beams in pallet racking can be rearranged to increase or decrease the heights of pallets. While in cantilever racking the arms can be re-arranged in order to accommodate long or irregularly shaped goods.
6. Space Optimization: The pallet racking system uses more vertical space in the area thus integrating the easy workflow. While cantilever racking systems utilize more horizontal space as they are meant to store long items.
7. Height Limits: The pallet racking systems can be built higher due to enhanced supporting systems and vertical support. While the cantilever racking can’t be built to many heights as they have extended arms and no vertical support.
8. Installation: The pallet rackings are tough to install and require professional technicians as numerous components need to be assembled. While the cantilever racking systems are easy to install with fewer components to be assembled only.
9. Cost: Pallet racking is proven to be a cheaper option than the other racking systems as they are easy to design and common in use. While the cantilever racking is costlier due to its complex design for storing long items only and is not commonly used.
10. Applications: Pallet racking is widely used in industries, warehouses, or retail shops. While cantilever racking is widely used in lumber industries, pipe storage areas, or fabrication stores.

FAQs on the difference between Pallet Racking vs Cantilever Racking

Q1: How do the design and construction differ between Pallet Racking and Cantilever Racking?

Ans: Pallet racking is designed to accommodate regular-shaped goods and is constructed with vertical columns and horizontal beams or pallets. While the cantilever racking is designed to accommodate irregular items and is constructed with vertical columns and extended horizontal arms.

Q2: What are the primary advantages of using Pallet Racking over Cantilever Racking?

Ans: Pallet Racking systems are more versatile, and adjustable than the cantilever racking, thus providing easy and direct access to each of its pallets.

Q3: In what scenarios is Cantilever Racking more suitable than Pallet Racking?

Ans: The Cantilever Racking system is suitable for industries or storage areas having long, irregular-shaped items like long pipes, metal bars, or lumbers.

Q4: How does the cost compare between Pallet Racking and Cantilever Racking systems?

Ans: Pallet Rackings are a cheaper and cost-effective solution, while cantilever racking is costlier due to their complex designs and fewer applications.

In conclusion, both pallet racking and cantilever racking offer storage solutions to various industries, warehouses, or shops. But are unique in offering features, characters, and their usage. To excel more and for any further query about the two racking systems you can contact our team of experts at SimcoSteel.