When to Choose Cantilever Racking for Your Warehouse

Cantilever racking is funny. When you need it in your warehouse, nothing else will do. But if you have it when you don’t need it, you’re going to struggle to figure out what to put on it.

That raises an important question: When should you choose cantilever racking for your warehouse?

We’re going to answer that question for you today. Keep reading to find out when you should and shouldn’t choose cantilever racks.

What Is Cantilever Racking?

Cantilever racking is a storage solution for specialty materials. It has vertical supports, or uprights, at the back of the rack and arms that extend from those columns, which ultimately support the load. This structural design makes it perfect for storing extra long or bulky inventory, like lumber, piping, and other building materials that other racks cannot accommodate.

Unlike a pallet rack that has front-mounted supports, cantilever racks have an extended base that serves as the stabilizing foundation for the unit. The base is often connected to the building’s foundation (bolted to the floor) and is at least as long as the arms to provide support and counterbalance to the stored product’s weight. 

Additional brackets connect the vertical uprights and offer even more stability. 

You can customize the length of the unit’s arms to suit the items you’re storing. Doing so ensures the safety of your people and goods. To understand your requirements, measure the depth of the intended load. That depth shouldn’t exceed the length of the shortest arm that will be interacting with it. 

These racks work well in both indoor and outdoor conditions, making them an extremely versatile option for your warehouse. 

Cantilever Racks: Two Options 

There are two types of cantilever racks:

1. Single-sided rack: This rack only has arms on one side. It’s perfect for pressing against a wall, saving you floor space. If you ever need more storage, most can transform into double-sided racks.
2. Double-sided rack: This type of cantilever rack has arms on both sides, creating neat aisles for your workers and maximizing storage on either side.

The right fit for your warehouse depends on the building layout and the product you’re storing. 

If you have a lot of inventory and plenty of width in your building, a double-sided rack could suit your needs well. 

But if your space has more vertical space than horizontal space, or if you have limited inventory storage needs, a single-sided rack would make more sense. 

What Items Are Cantilever Racking Best For?

What types of large and oddly shaped items can you store on a cantilever racking system? 

Common items include:

• Lumber
• Long pipes and tubing
• Rolled-up carpeting
• Sheet metal
• Rebar
• Large pieces of furniture
• Any other items that are difficult to store on pallet racking 

Because of the open-front design, cantilever racking allows you to easily access irregularly shaped items while keeping them organized in your warehouse. No need for messy floor piles or leaning tall items against a wall. 

Loading and unloading are simple — even for large, long, and heavy items —  because there is no front beam like in other storage solutions.

What Industries Use Cantilever Racking Most?

Thanks to their versatility and flexibility, cantilever racks can be used in many common industries: 

• Furniture distribution centers
• Lumberyards
• Woodworking shops
• Manufacturing facilities
• Electrical and plumbing storage
• Bulk retail 

Thanks to their durability, cantilever racks can hold heavy loads for extended periods, making them a reliable long-term solution for businesses in virtually any industry that requires the storage of oddly shaped items.

Plus, cantilever racking can scale as your business grows. You simply add arms (either to increase height or convert to a double-sided setup) to single-sided cantilever racks to increase your storage space without increasing your floor space.

What Are the Benefits of Cantilever Racking?

Under the right circumstances, cantilever racking can bring several key advantages to your warehouse:

• Storage flexibility and scalability. As your storage needs change, your cantilever racking can change with them. For example, you can convert single-sided racks to double-sided racks and vice versa. 
• Increased storage density. You can use every square inch of vertical space in your warehouse with cantilever racking. Just build it up. That way, you can expand your storage space without increasing your footprint. 
• Improved worker safety. Large and irregular loads cause accidents. But as the best storage solution for these kinds of loads, cantilever racking prevents accidents. It keeps your employees and goods safe.

Is Cantilever Racking Right for Your Storage Facility? Ask Yourself These Questions

Numerous factors determine the most appropriate storage solutions for your warehouse. If you’re considering a cantilever racking solution, ask yourself these questions to determine if it’s right for your warehouse: 

What Are My Specific Warehouse Needs? 

First, consider your inventory. That will have a direct impact on the type of storage solution you need. 

We know cantilever racking is best suited for oversized or irregularly shaped loads like long lumber or tubing. 

That’s step one. 

Step two is determining the frequency of access and retrieval of those items. Your racking system must accommodate those processes, especially if people are loading and unloading items regularly.

Would Cantilever Racking or Pallet Racking Make More Sense? 

Pallet racking is common in most warehouses — you likely have some in yours already. But awkwardly shaped items likely won’t fit onto your existing pallet racks. 

Plus, cantilever racking is more flexible. You can easily reconfigure it based on changing warehouse needs. 

How Much Floor Space Do I Have for This Storage Solution? 

Cantilever racks help you maximize your building’s vertical storage. Essentially, they help you build up instead of build wider — potentially saving you on the overall footprint of your space.

So, if floor space is limited, look up for the answer. And then take a look at our cantilever racking for sale. 

What Is My Budget? 

Pallet racks are typically more cost-effective than cantilever racks. However, cost shouldn’t be the only determining factor. Our team of facility design and layout experts can help you decide whether cantilever racks are a more cost-effective solution for the long term.

What Are My Load Requirements? 

If you’re dealing with exceptionally heavy or large items that pallet racking simply can’t handle, cantilever racking may be a solid option. Cantilever racks are durable, reliable, and strong for holding goods that can’t fit elsewhere.

Is Cantilever Racking Right for Your Warehouse? We’ll Tell You

Cantilever racking is flexible, durable, safe, and convenient. If you handle the types of goods cantilever racking is designed for, this type of rack will add immense value to your storage facility. 

As experts in new and used cantilever racking solutions, East Coast Storage Equipment can help you assess your warehouse storage needs and determine the best type for you, both now and in the future.

Contact us for custom-tailored recommendations for your warehouse’s unique needs. and large loads.