Various pallet racking styles exist in the market. Each suits different needs, environments, and specific end applications. Getting insights on the right type is highly crucial. This is because the right type of the pallet rack style determines effectiveness, efficiency of your storage. The aim of this blog is to cover the 9 types of styles for pallet racking that are commonly used across United States, their features, applications, and more. Sounds capticating? Let’s get started!
Identifying the Right Pallet Racking Style
In order to identify the style of a pallet rack one needs to check the connection points between the uprights and the beams. Connectors for different racking style are very specific to individual manufacturer. The most common types of connections include:
• Hook & Slot Connection: Most often a common connection, such as beams hooked into slots in uprights and sometimes with a locking mechanism.
• Pin & Slot Connection: A style of beam that is pinned into slots to hold them into place, give stability and ease of adjustment.
• Bracket or Fastener Connection: The heavier loads are supported by beams attached to the uprights through brackets or bolts.
Looking at these connection points, you can figure out which type of racking is being used. Additionally, the color of the uprights and beams can also clue you in as to who made the beam; some color combinations are common to specific brands.
Compatibility Identification – Key Considerations
Be mindful that not all racking styles are able to be combined with one another. You have to check that the styles you pick for the upgrade or the expansion of your system will fit smoothly. The following factors will help you assess compatibility:
• Connection Mechanism: The beams and uprights should also connect by the same means (hook & slot, pin & slot, or bolts).
• Slot Size and Spacing: Small differences in the size and vertical spacing of slots on uprights can make some beams incompatible with some uprights.
• Beam Locking Mechanism: Some use a lock or pin to lock or pin the beams into position. It will ensure that these mechanisms line up across different racks, which will keep stability and safety in place.
• Color and Design Variations: Manufacturers may use different color schemes and design features for different styles. However, compatibility doesn’t hinge on colour, but colour does provide a convenient reference point for where a system came from.
Common Pallet Racking Styles – Revealing Types
There are multiple pallet rack styles exist such as:
1) Teardrop Pallet Racking Style
Teardrop pallet racking is a very popular and versatile storage solution for most warehouses. The name is in reference to the inverted tear shaped slots of the uprights so it is compatible across multiple brands. One of its universal features makes it easy to identify, and adaptible for many storage needs.
Key Features
1. Inverted Teardrop Slots: Uprights have also got unique teardrop shaped slots to instantly connect beams.
2. Circular Pin Placement: Load beams have circular pins spaced 2 or 4 inches apart for precise adjustments.
3. Hook & Slot Mechanism: It doesn’t require additional tools or slow assembly and is secure.
4. Distinctive Colors: Your beams are usually orange, and your uprights are blue, making it easy to tell apart your beams.
5. Locking Mechanism: A secure locking system keeps the beams firmly in place for safety.
Ideal Use Cases
Teardrop pallet racking is good for general purpose storage. It can be used in any industry where there is a need for flexible and adjustable storage configurations. Especially good for environments with sudden changes in inventory or product size, adaptability and reliability. It allows quick assembly and reconfiguration, using less time and effort.
2) Sammons Pallet Racking Style
Sammons pallet racking is a variation of a teardrop style but with a different pin and slot design. Compared to the standard teardrop racks, this design offers unique functionality and compatibility.
Key Features
1. Mushroom-shaped Connector Pins: These pins are specially designed, ensuring a safe and tight connection for your racking system.
2. 4″ Vertical Spacing of Holes: It has a good structured and uniform spacing for adjustment on the shelf.
3. Hook & Slot Connection Mechanism: It reduces setup time and simplifies assembly and disassembly.
4. Predominantly Grey Components: It can be identified by its grey load beams and uprights.
5. Non-compatibility with Standard Teardrop Racks: Because of its unique design, you cannot interchange parts as with standard teardrop systems.
Ideal Use Cases
Sammons racking is also widely used on the West Coast in local distribution hubs. It is suitable for operations with tailored needs. If you are running smaller businesses that require flexibility and custom configurations, this will be ideal. If you require durable and easy to keep racking, then this style may be the best for you.
3) Newstyle Pallet Racking Style
New style pallet racking is versatile in its nature and is widely used in warehouses. One of the standout features is that it is compatible with Teardrop racks so they go together seamlessly. This is why it is a favored option for recycling material or when upgrading the storage set up.
Key Features
1. Rectangular Slot Connectors: It has a slight inward slant to facilitate stability and also to facilitate assembly.
2. Shaved Pin or Tooth Pin Beams: The possible options are flexible for varying load requirements.
3. Pin Spacing: The adjustable configurations have pins spaced 2″ or 4″ apart for various storage needs.
4. Distinct Colors: Identification and organization are simple with orange load beams and green uprights.
5. Durability and Adaptability: It is intended for mixed setup and does really well in storage environments with changing topology.
Ideal Use Cases
Perfect for warehouses switching to a new system or combining old and new racks. Suitably suited for existing material operations, reducing costs but maintaining quality.
4) Structural Pallet Racking Style
Structural pallet racking is designed for the most demanding applications. Made of hot rolled steel with superior strength and durability. It is made to withstand high impacts and heavy loads. Its simplicity lends itself to industrial use where reliability in a tough environment is important. Both the robust steel components and the bolt based connection system give it a higher level of stability.
Key Features
1. Bolt-Based Connection System: It secures beams directly to uprights to provide unmatched strength.
2. Circular Hole Spacing: The adjustable configurations have 4 inch center to center spacing.
3. Post Column Options: It is offered for single column or closed post designs for flexibility and extra support.
4. Impact Resistance: Designed to handle the severe impacts common in busy warehouses.
5. Robust Design: Simple, durable construction ensures consistent performance.
Ideal Use Cases
Structural pallet racking is ideal for heavy industrial storage and high traffic environments. It is a perfect way to handle big bulky items and heavy loads. It is good for use in warehouses or factories where a long lasting and versatile medium is needed to store whatever and the medium needs to perform well under harsh conditions.
5) Speedrack Pallet Racking Style
The main feature of this pallet racking style is how the beams are connected as a single unit to each other using brackets. It eliminates the use of traditional pins or hooks. The upright columns have ½ inch circular holes 4 inches apart vertically placed at the edges. Secure and efficient beam attachment involves use of U shaped brackets and J hooks. It is a simple and reliable product owing to its simplicity, quick assembly, and its exceptional stability for a range of storage needs.
Key Features
1. U-Shaped Brackets: Securely fix the beams to the vertical columns.
2. ½-Inch Circular Holes: Located on the edges of upright columns for easy alignment.
3. 4-Inch Vertical Spacing: Provides consistent and adaptable height adjustments.
4. No Pins or Hooks Required: It’s strong, yet simplifies the installation process.
5. Simple Locking Mechanism: The J-hooks fasten the beams to ensure reliability.
Ideal Use Cases
Rapid assembly and disassembly setups, short term or changing storage needs.
6) Ridg-U-Rak Pallet Racking Style
Ridg-U-Rak pallet racking style is a versatile storage system for storing medium load items. It utilizes a hook and slot connection mechanism for easy assembly and reconfiguration. Rectangular slots 4 inches apart achieve precise beam placement. The stability is enhanced by bending the internal column sides outwards. A good design that strikes balance between a lightweight construction and durability makes it a suitable one for warehouse solutions on a lower cost basis.
Key Features
1. Rectangular Slots: Spaced precisely 4 inches apart and they are uniformly aligned.
2. Outward Column Bend: This adds strength and stability to the structure.
3. Thin, Hooked Flanged Beams: The bottom part tightens around the uprights to secure the connection.
4. Hook & Slot Connection with Spring Lock: It provides a safe locking mechanism.
5. Lightweight Design: It is easy to handle and doesn’t influence the load capacity.
Ideal Use Cases
Ridg-U-Rak style racking is best suited for use in medium load storage purposes, applications that require frequent adjustment. For your small scale warehouse, it is a cost effective and durable solution. The lightweight yet sturdy design makes for easy installation and a practical way to store things on the go.
7) Keystone Pallet Racking Style
Keystone pallet racking, which is commonly described as republic style, is a type of rack with trapezoidal hole patterns on upright columns. It has a special design that increases strength and adaptation. The slots are vertically spaced 3 inches apart and located centrally on the face of the column. These are the features that provide a secure, efficient and durable solution to any storage need with Keystone racking.
Key Features
1. Trapezoidal Slots: For precise centering on the column face for consistent alignment.
2. 3-Inch Vertical Spacing: It allows for flexibility in the placement of the beam.
3. Roll-Formed Beams: The hooks are the appropriate size to fit in the upright slots.
4. Secure Connections: Stabilized with J-hooks or removable steel clips.
5. Efficient Locking System: It offers greater stability and decreases accidental dislodgment of the beam.
Ideal Use Cases
KeyStone racking is designed specifically for such narrow aisle applications and to maximize space within confined areas. It is a good fit for distribution centers with high turnover inventory. E-commerce warehouses can also organize and retrieve products efficiently thanks to its adaptability.
8) Penco Pallet Racking Style
The slanted slots and tapered beams of the Penco Pallet Racking style provide a robust storage solution for a busy operation. The tapered beams provide superior structural integrity and the slanted slots make it easy to load and unload products. This design is particularly effective at maximizing space while still easily accessing stored items.
Key Features
1. Side-by-side slanted narrow slots enhance accessibility and organize items neatly.
2. Slanted hook connections for beams create a secure, reliable support system.
3. Tapered beam design provides extra strength, supporting heavy loads.
4. Sliding lock mechanism on beams ensures that beams stay firmly in place.
5. Minimalistic design maximizes available space and reduces clutter in storage areas.
Ideal Use Cases
For light to medium storage uses, this racking style is perfect. This is especially beneficial in warehouses where space optimization is critical. This design is ideally suited if you have a need for a storage solution that combines strength and the use of space.
9) T-Bolt Pallet Racking Style
The T-Bolt pallet racking is a strong shelving option for high seismic areas. The unit comes with such a bolt-based connection system which makes it ideal for the environment where seismic activity is apprehensive. It employs rectangular slots in columns and beams for secure, adjustable connections. T-Bolt racking provides high durability and stability, even in tough conditions and are recommended for heavy duty storage.
Key Features
1. Rectangular slots on columns and beams enable easy adjustments.
2. T-Bolt connections with 6″–12″ clips provide a secure, stable fit.
3. The fastening system ensures high security and resistance to vibration.
4. Common colors include blue uprights and yellow load beams for easy identification.
5. Engineered for seismic resistance, making it perfect for earthquake-prone areas.
Ideal Use Cases
T-Bolt pallet racking shines in seismic zones where safety is of utmost importance. It is also ideal for facilities that require heavy duty storage, particularly those with strict safety and stability standards.
Conclusion
To optimize storage efficiency and maximize the return on investment, choosing the right pallet racking style is crucial. T-Bolt to Teardrop has its own set of unique features, enabling them to be best suited for specific needs, environments and operational requirements. This helps you know the right type to ensure smooth workflows, reduce risks and increase safety. It allows businesses to get in contact with experts that can develop a custom racking solution that will fit specific operational requirements and make sure that the system is aligned to both short and long term goals. However, the right racking system investment results in better space utilization, productivity increases, operating cost reduction, and helps with sustainability in any given warehouse or distribution environment.
