Used Commercial & Industrial Shelving

Shelving choice is critical when it comes to budget and organization. Understanding the most popular types of warehouse shelving can help you design shelving that not only meets your expectations but offers some flexibility down the road. Steel shelving is the most common type of shelving you can find on the market for both warehouse and industrial environments. Boltless shelving, like rivet shelving, comes in at a close second — offering an easy-to-assemble alternative to steel shelving without the need for clips or bolts.

With the many different types of shelving available, it can be a struggle to match the right system to your facility. Understanding the benefits of each shelving system can help you make an informed decision. Steel shelving, for instance, is robust and offers versatility, but bolts or clips can add time to installation and open shelving requires metal sway bracing on one side of each unit. In contrast, boltless shelving systems provide just as much durability and the option for open configurations. Assessing your space, and how you’ll use your shelving, is a great first step before making any purchases.

While you can find all kinds of shelving types in many different sizes, expect some common sizes to pop up when shopping. Usually, shelving will come in depths of around 16” to 36”, and widths of 36” to 96” — the average width being around 42”. When it comes to height, expect to find standard measurements of 6’ to 10’. One of our best-selling and most common sizes is 24" x 48" x 10' to 12'. Keep in mind that East Coast Storage Equipment does offer custom shelving sizes for exact specifications and needs.

Warehouse shelving is generally quite strong on its own, but there are ways to make these shelves even stronger. One of the most common and effective shelf reinforcement methods in industrial settings is to add an X brace or cross brace.

You can add X braces to the back and sides of most pre-owned warehouse shelves. These braces cross each other in the center of the space between the uprights to add strength and prevent swaying. Typically, you secure the cross braces to the uprights through the holes on the face of the uprights used to secure the shelves at different heights.

Weight capacity measurements will depend on the manufacturer and specific equipment type. If you are looking for sturdy and reliable shelving, rivet-style boltless shelving is the preferred choice for heavy object storage.

While safe use of shelving will vary from product to product, you’ll generally find a few general guidelines to follow. First, we don’t recommend erecting free-standing shelving units over 15’ in height. Another guideline to keep in mind is proper load storage. Always try to keep heavier loads on the lower or middle shelves and lighter items on upper shelves.

Commercial shelving comes in many variations and materials. For instance, backroom shelving usually incorporates particle board or plywood shelves. If you're looking for strength, source shelving constructed from durable steel. Keep in mind your specific application will help inform material choice. While steel is strong and durable, it may not be the preferred material for your use case.