Anytime your company needs pallet racks, the choice comes down to picking between structural steel or roll-formed steel racks. While both are great options selecting the right one for your particular needs comes down to usage, your operating conditions and growth needs. So how do you determine which is the best one for your situation?
Structural Steel pallet racks
These pallet racking systems are made utilizing heavier gauge steel with welded joints. This provides increased beam and upright frame power, allowing it to support anywhere between 6 to 25 tons, sometimes even more. The steel structure is also very sturdy and damage-resistant since the thicker metal on the corners and footplates keeps the racks upright. This means it can withstand an occasional bump from forklifts and other warehouse machinery.
If you have products that require containment free storage, then a structural steel pallet racking system is the better option. They have an open c-channel construction that reduces the collection of foreign materials and can easily be washed. Additionally, all parts of the rack can easily be coated to prevent rusting and withstand the outdoors.
Roll-Formed steel pallet racks
Also referred to as roll form steel racks, they are made by continuously bending steel on a coiled roll. This makes the end product thinner than structural steel, and as such, it can’t carry extremely heavy products. Anywhere between 6 to 15 tons is ideal.
There are different types of rolled steel racks, but the most common ones are the open back and fully enclosed tubular pallet racking systems. Flexibility, being lightweight, and cost-effectiveness are factors that make roll form steel pallet racks ideal. Setting up these systems is faster than setting up structural steel systems because of the connecting system.
The roll-form’s teardrop connection enables installers to snap beams into place using rubber mallets. This flexibility also allows for easy modifications to the system to accommodate different sized products. That said, they are more susceptible to damage due to their design and the amount of steel used to make them.
Both structural and roll-formed steel pallet racks offer great value when used properly.
