There are many different types of shelving on the market, but metal is one of the most popular options. It’s strong, durable, and can hold a lot of weight, making it perfect for storing heavy items. GarageSmart® offers a wide range of garage remodelling solutions to help you get the most out of your space.
But, like any other type of shelving, there are pros and cons to using metal shelves in your home. So before you run out and buy some metal shelves, be sure to read on to see what they are!
Metal Shelving
Tools, equipment, literature, files, and various chemicals in laboratories can be stored in metal shelving, which features partitions and compartments for organised storage. Inventions like metal shelving provide space-saving storage options for many businesses.
Storage Racks Made of Metal
Metal shelving is typically built after a detailed drawing, and a set of measurements have been drafted. The next step is to do a market survey, purchase the required materials, and measure and cut them to size.
Afterwards, the materials are fused, and the work is smoothed and filled. Painting the shelves as a final step helps preserve the materials used. Finally, the steel shelf is manufactured to be affordable and up to par with industry standards.
Metals Used in Their Construction
Metal shelving can be made from a variety of materials, such as:
Metallic Alloy of Chrome Nickel and Stainless Steel
For metal shelving, steel is a common material. That’s due to the resilience and adaptability of steel. As a result of its superior durability to other shelf materials, stainless steel is a popular choice for many commercial shelving needs.
In addition to being strong and durable, stainless steel can resist high temperatures without becoming dangerously brittle.
Stainless steel shelving units are commonly used in the food industry because of the material’s strength and durability under heavy loads. Steel is also easy to clean and resistant to damage. As a result, a high-quality shelf unit may last longer than one made from lesser materials.
Hematite, copper, charcoal, silicon, and chrome are the major steel components, along with a few other elements.
Steel’s strength depends on the proportion of these components inside the alloy. For example, steel having a higher carbon content is considerably more robust than low-carbon steel. Therefore, steel is widely used in a wide variety of industries, and it is commonly seen in beverage cans and industrial shelving. The following is a list of steel’s various characteristics:
Force of Tension
A material’s tensile strength is measured by its ability to withstand tension when subjected to a predetermined load. As a result of its impressive tensile strength, steel is extremely difficult to crack or break.
The durability of Steel for Bending
Steel has high tensile strength and a high degree of flexibility, allowing it to be formed into many different shapes without cracking. In addition, it’s pliable so that it may be flattened down into sheets of varying thicknesses.
Long-Lasting Steel
Steel’s great resistance to wear and tear comes from its nature as a hard alloy, making it useful in many settings for extended periods.
Appealing Glimmer
Steel’s gleaming sheen makes it a desirable material.
Protected From Rust
Steel’s resistance to rust depends on its composition. For example, stainless steel, which contains molybdenum, nickel, and chromium, is long-lasting because of its excellent rust resistance.
Wire, Chrome
This metal is also inexpensive and versatile. Chrome, like stainless steel, possesses the necessary tensile strength for fabricating shelving systems. Chrome shelving units can be installed in homes with limited kitchen or garage space to provide additional storage.
Chrome is used in many other buildings, such as offices, dorms, and shops, particularly in shelving and storage spaces. Silver shelving units have a contemporary appeal. If you work with a tight budget and can afford stainless shelves, chrome wire shelves are a great alternative. This is because, compared to other metals used for shelves, both last a very long time.
Cast Iron
One such metal that can be used for metal floating shelves is forged iron.
The adaptability, sturdiness, and beauty of the metal make it ideal for use in the construction of furniture. Wrought iron has all these great qualities and more because it is resistant to water, can support enormous weight, and are difficult to break. Brass bracket cupboard cabinets made from wrought iron are a great investment despite the high price. Quality, dependability, and aesthetic appeal are hallmarks of wrought iron.
Aluminium
Aluminium shares many of steel’s characteristics. A few examples of these characteristics are resilience, malleability, and thermal and electrical permeability. The following are some of aluminium’s other qualities:
Conveniently Lightweight
Aluminium is a common material for manufacturing commercial shelves because of its lightweight, making them convenient to move throughout the warehouse. Aluminium’s strength can also be increased by tweaking the alloy’s other ingredients.
Resistance to Corrosion
Because of its oxide covering, aluminium is intrinsically corrosion-resistant. As a result, aluminium racks won’t rust or rot.
Unpermeable and Odourless
Aluminium shelving is a suitable option for metal shelving in laboratories since it is impermeable and odourless.
Characteristics That Make It Possible to Recycle
As well as being a lightweight metal that doesn’t require much energy to recycle and repurpose, aluminium has a strong reputation for being environmentally friendly. Aluminium shelves can be recycled for this reason.
Copper
Copper is a popular metal for building industrial shelving because of its attractiveness and durability. In addition, this material is widely used in stylish home decor. Copper has excellent corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and conductivity. Below is a list of copper’s other characteristics:
Having No Magnetic Properties
Metals can be safely stored on shelves made of copper because of the material’s non-magnetic nature.
Copper, a Natural Antimicrobial
Copper is widely acknowledged to include bacteriostatic and fungicidal properties. In addition, copper’s antibacterial qualities make it useful for maintaining sanitary conditions.
Steel Shelving Units Have Many Benefits
Steel shelving units have the benefit of being long-lasting due to their resilience.
In addition, steel industrial shelf units can support more weight than other shelving units, such as wire shelving units. Garage organization is a huge hassle – but it doesn’t have to be! Our GarageSmart® Shelving, Baskets and Hooks make garage organization simple and easy.
Metal shelf units also are advantageous because they can be modified to meet individual needs. Shelving systems may be customised with bin fronts, dividers, and inserts.
The adaptability of steel shelving units makes them a great option for various commercial storage needs. Then, you can discuss your design needs with the supplier or metal fabricators. A reputable fabricator should have no trouble giving form to your requirements.
As a bonus, steel shelf units can be customised to match the aesthetic of your office. For example, steel shelf units are typically associated with warehouses’ dull, grey metal shelves. However, many steel industrial shelving units may be styled for your office decor.
Problems with Steel Floating Shelves
The price tag is the first thing you’ll notice when looking at steel industrial shelving systems. The majority of the time, they cost more than comparable alternatives. This is especially the case if you demand that it be constructed from superior materials. In addition, the cost will increase if you require the fabricator to instal more components.
However, it would help if you kept in mind that quality is difficult to quantify in monetary terms. Storage solutions that are sturdy and dependable tend to cost more, so be prepared to spend extra money if you want to get the best of the best.
These shelf units also have the disadvantage of being difficult to set up. It takes more time to set them up than it would to put up other types of shelf units. The delay, though, will be worthwhile in the end. Steel shelving systems are highly recommended for commercial use.
The Reality of Industrial Metal Storage
One of the best shelving options for a warehouse is industrial metal shelving because it is so strong, durable, and compact. Shelving made of metal can be wall-mounted, built into a rack system, or used as a freestanding exhibit. There are numerous apparent benefits and perhaps some less apparent ones as well. In addition, there are a few things to keep in mind, such as oxidation, corrosion, and damage, but these are all problems that can be fixed and should not prevent you from using metal shelves. Shelving made of industrial metal is:
- Metal shelving may be easily modified, as it is available in many standard configurations. You can order industrial shelving from your distributor and deliver it to your facility the following day. Alternatively, you can consult a warehouse planner and have metal shelving installed specifically for your needs. The process may be more time-consuming, but the final product will have the ideal dimensions for your room.
- Metal shelf maximises available space in any room. Shelving of different heights and the ability to stack items vertically and horizontally are all helpful for maximising storage space. Please pay attention to the shelf load capacity and avoid overloading them.
- Steel shelving is typically shipped in sections and requires assembly. Even if the store selling your warehouse supplies doesn’t offer assembly services, you shouldn’t have trouble putting together the shelves yourself; they come with straightforward instructions and require rivets. Perhaps you’re so frugal that you’ve already purchased a boltless rivet shelf, which requires no additional tools for assembly. You can store a maximum of 1,500 pounds with a boltless rivet shelf. Each of the cross-beams in our solitary and the double shelving units is fastened with either four or two rivets, depending on the style of assembly you choose. While the single rivet has a weight capacity of 350 pounds, the double rivet can support more than twice that amount. Its eight rivets plus cross beam can support a whopping 1,500 pounds. Another benefit of metal shelving’s adaptability is the option to stack lighter items higher and store heavier ones on lower shelves.
- Resilient: Metal shelves can endure the elements and heavy use from forklifts or order pickers if it is correctly treated to prevent corrosion and oxidation. Though industrial metal is more durable than ordinary metal, it still requires proper safeguards. A galvanised or painted surface on your shelf can protect it from the dings caused by a careless machine operator. Although galvanised and painted metal both do a good job of preventing corrosion, the former is generally prefered due to its aesthetic appeal. Rough areas could appear if the coating is not applied evenly during the galvanising process. Zinc coatings on metals give them protection against rust and deterioration. A smooth surface is achieved when metal bookshelves are painted by dipping them in a paint bath. It’s best to consult a store to find out which finish is ideal for your warehouse’s specific conditions because they all use various approaches to combating rust and corrosion.
- Metal shelving displays goods clearly, and unobstructedly, allowing customers to see what they’re buying. By arranging containers on metal shelving, you can make them more readily available to order pickers. Because of this transparency, inventory takes less time, and damaged, or missing items can be quickly located. A more productive workforce and a leaner staff are the results of all this.
- Metal shelving is one of the cheapest methods of warehousing storage. Thanks to the abundance of options, there’s truly something for everyone’s spending level. Don’t be deceived by the lowest price; you usually get out what you pay for. Ensure the shelving’s steel quality, finish, maximum weight, and storage capabilities all fit your requirements.
GarageSmart® Storage Experts are experienced professionals who will work with you to create the perfect garage for your needs.
In conclusion, metal bookshelves are a popular, durable choice for storing bulky items due to their strength and ability to support heavy loads. Steel, aluminium, and wrought iron are commonly used materials, offering excellent resistance to rust, corrosion, and heat. Aluminium shelves are particularly useful in laboratories, while copper shelves are prized for their elegance and durability.
Metal shelving units come in various forms, including wall-mounted, rack shelving, and free-standing displays. They can be customised with bin fronts and dividers to suit specific needs. While assembling steel shelving typically requires some effort, it is a long-lasting and effective storage solution. Regular maintenance, such as galvanising or painting the shelves, can prevent damage and ensure their longevity.
