The Best Warehouse Pallet Racking Types

The Best Warehouse Pallet Racking Types

Guide on the Popular Pallet Racking Types

What are some of the best warehouse pallet racking types to be looking at? It depends on what your business needs. Every business and industry has different needs and requires different storage solutions. That’s why it can be challenging to discover the right warehouse pallet racking systems for you. But it doesn’t have to be.

At SEC Storage, our team aims to guide you towards the right storage systems for you. Whether it’s high-density storage solutions or wide aisle pallet racking, we can find the right storage systems for your business. But to help you right now, we’ve put together a list of all the best warehouse pallet racking types.

Understanding Pallet Racking Systems

Definition and Functionality

Pallet racking systems are specialised storage solutions designed to efficiently organise goods within a warehouse. These systems utilise a framework of shelves and beams to provide a safe and accessible storage environment for pallets.

One of the key functions of pallet racking systems is to maximise the available vertical space in a warehouse. By utilising the height of the facility, these systems allow businesses to significantly increase their storage capacity.

In this blog, we’re going to talk about a selection of the most popular warehouse pallet racking types and their unique features. All have significant benefits for a warehouse storage solution and some are more suited to certain industries than others.

Let’s start with one of the most used storage solutions, wide aisle pallet racking:

Wide Aisle Pallet Racking

What is wide aisle pallet racking? This warehouse storage system is also known as standard pallet racking and sometimes adjustable pallet racking. It’s one of the most used storage systems in the industry as it’s durable and flexible. But, it’s also cost-effective, especially when storing palletised goods.

One of the reasons this racking system is affordable is its adaptability. You don’t need to invest in specialist equipment or handling materials, meaning any industry can make use of the storage system. But if you want to speed up the process of picking from the racking system, you can use different forklift trucks. For example, a counterbalance, reach or articulated forklift truck will make the process faster and more efficient.

What are the Main Benefits of Wide Aisle Pallet Racking

You can adapt the system to integrate new stock or entirely new product lines.

Easy access to all stock because of spacious, wide aisles, which makes it simpler to rotate products throughout the year.

Wide-aisle racking systems can be designed and altered to fit various warehouse heights and spaces. You can also adapt the racking to hold weights of up to 5,000kgs; this will depend on the length and size of the support beam.

VNA Racking

VNA stands for: very narrow aisle. This is the opposite of a wide aisle racking system and offers different unique benefits in comparison. Like any good storage solution, VNA racking is about optimising the space you have available. There are many ways to do this, the right way will depend on your warehouse. If it has a very high-ceiling, then VNA warehouse pallet racking is the ideal storage solution.

Very narrow aisle pallet racking condenses conventional pallet storage racking to create high-density storage. This allows you to organise and hold more stock without using more floor space. It’s as narrow as possible and utilises the vertical space with tall racking systems to make your warehouse storage as efficient as possible.

The main benefit of this storage system is it reduces wasted space. But because of how narrow the aisles are, you will need specialist handling materials. Such as a guide rail or wire guidance system. Racking-specific VNA trucks can be used, but only one at a time in an aisle as they can’t pass each other.

More to Consider about VNA Systems:

If you’re looking for a high-density storage solution with direct access to all products, this is the ideal option as it offers 100% product selectivity.
With a VNA system, the aisle space used is reduced by up to half compared to standard systems. However, despite less floor space being used, it offers a massive increase in your warehouse storage capacity.

VNA racking can go up to 17 metres high and need a very flat floor to be functional.

Double Deep Racking

Another high-density warehouse storage solution. Using double deep pallet racking you can increase the pallet space available by 50%. Like any high-density storage solution, double deep racking works by optimising how you use the space in your warehouse.

The storage system works by stacking pallets two deep and making them accessible from one aisle, which reduces the number of aisles needed by 50% too. This makes them an extremely cost-effective method for warehouse storage.

If your business has a high turnover of stock and identical products, this system is ideal. The system can also be adapted further using higher storage levels, in a similar way to VNA storage. All that changes is you will need to install guide rails to help your staff to find pallets stored at a higher level.

Double Deep Racking System Advantages

This storage solution is efficient as it maximises the space available without the need for specialist equipment and materials.

Double deep racking is accessible and adaptable. You can relocate stock from single storage systems easily into a high-density storage solution. It’s also simple to access quickly, making it ideal for high-turnover stock.

Creates more floor space by taking up less room. It removes unnecessary aisles and optimises all your warehouse’s space.

Double deep, VNA and wide aisle pallet racking systems all have unique benefits. Every storage system we provide at SEC Storage is high-quality, but the right option will depend on your storage requirements. That’s why you need to get in touch if you’re looking to find the right storage solution for your business…

Optimising Warehouse Space with Racking Systems

When it comes to managing a warehouse, space optimisation is crucial for maximising efficiency and ensuring streamlined operations. Pallet racking systems play a pivotal role in achieving this goal, offering a range of benefits that can significantly improve your warehouse’s storage capacity and organisation.

Maximising Warehouse Efficiency

Pallet racking systems are specifically designed to maximise the use of vertical space in your warehouse. By utilising the height of your facility, you can significantly expand your storage capacity without having to relocate or expand your premises. With the right pallet racking system in place, you can efficiently stack pallets and products, making it easier to locate and retrieve items as needed.

Another advantage of pallet racking systems is that they allow for easy accessibility. With proper organisation and labeling, you can create designated spaces for specific products or categories, making it faster and more efficient to locate and retrieve items. This can save valuable time and reduce the chances of errors or delays in fulfilling orders.

Tips for Utilising Warehouse Space Effectively

To optimise your warehouse space effectively, consider implementing the following tips:

• Conduct regular inventory assessments: Regularly assess your inventory to identify slow-moving or redundant items. This will help you understand which products take up unnecessary space and allow you to make informed decisions about their storage and handling.
• Implement a proper labeling system: Clear and visible labels on products and shelves will make it easier for your workforce to locate and store items accurately. This reduces the chances of misplacing or misidentifying products, saving time and preventing costly errors.
• Utilise vertical space: Make use of taller pallet racking systems to maximise vertical space. This can be achieved by installing multi-level racks or mezzanines. By taking advantage of the height of your warehouse, you can increase storage capacity dramatically.
• Implement efficient inventory management software: Utilise modern inventory management software to track and monitor your inventory levels in real-time. This will help you identify any inefficiencies in storage and make data-driven decisions to optimise your warehouse space.
• Train your workforce: Properly train your staff on efficient warehouse practices, such as proper pallet stacking techniques and safe handling procedures. This will minimise the risk of accidents and ensure that space is used optimally.

By implementing these tips and investing in the right pallet racking systems, you can optimise your warehouse space, enhance overall efficiency, and achieve smooth and streamlined operations.

Contact Us Today

Give us a call on 01438 731990 or fill in an enquiry form today.