{"id":14728,"date":"2020-02-13T16:02:19","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T00:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.speedrackwest.com\/?p=14728"},"modified":"2025-11-12T17:34:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T17:34:03","slug":"warehouse-metal-racks-vs-wood-based-racks-and-why-the-racks-are-hard-to-find","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.speedrackwest.com\/blog\/warehouse-metal-racks-vs-wood-based-racks-and-why-the-racks-are-hard-to-find\/","title":{"rendered":"Warehouse Metal Racks vs Wood-Based Racks and Why the Racks Are Hard to Find"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do warehouse metal racks have a different name?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The warehouse metal racks you are seeking for your business are called pallet racks<\/a>. Pallet rack is the term that the industry uses for a name. It is an understandable name because it was developed to handle pallets. You probably are not privy to that name because most people do not look at this piece of equipment and think that it screams out the name, \u201cpallet rack\u201d. You call it something like \u201cwarehouse metal racks\u201d as you have already done so. It is highly likely why you have had a hard time finding it right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The University of Massachusetts wrote something about it where they said, \u201cPressure-treating does make wood rot resistant. – But it doesn\u2019t make wood water-resistant.\u201d<\/span>1<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Why not go for wood-based pallet rack solutions you might ask? Wood is cheaper than galvanized metal. It takes less skill to put it together since a person does not have to weld. Therefore, wood would seem like an obvious choice over metal. However, wood is not as strong as metal. It also absorbs water even when treated. It also cannot last as long in the elements because of a lot of the science involved. What science? The process of galvanizing a pallet rack, or steel, for that matter, means that it has zinc incorporated with it in one of a few methods. Zinc tends to react with water faster than steel, therefore, the zinc ends up corroding before the steel will.<\/span> The steel stays strong and the zinc takes the brunt of the possible problems from the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Pressure:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Water pressure seals protect the wood but the seal is against organisms like bacteria, fungi, and things like insects. The University of Massachusetts wrote something about it where they said, \u201cPressure-treating does make wood rot resistant. – But it doesn\u2019t make wood water-resistant.\u201d<\/span>1<\/a> It goes on to say that wood still soaks and then loses that moisture over time. The growing and shrinking of that wood through that activity is what weakens it. It is also why you find pressure treated wood, that should last 40 years, being thrown away after a few years according to the University of Massachusetts article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that a lot of the shelving units you see in stores say, \u201cindustrial strength\u201d but that usually means it can handle up to 800 lbs of weight. A well-made pallet rack can handle 2500 lbs per level.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could you just get shelving from your local store? Maybe, it really depends on where you or in your business and what your ambitions are for the future. If you are planning on staying small for a while then you might be able to get away with smaller shelving. If you are planning for the future and know that your product will not fit and\/or is too heavy for those types of shelves then you know your answer right now. Keep in mind that a lot of the shelving units you see in stores say, \u201cindustrial strength\u201d but that usually means it can handle up to 800 lbs of weight. A well-made pallet rack can handle 2500 lbs per level.<\/span> You can have multiple levels on your rack as well. Therefore, the \u201cindustrial strength\u201d of a consumer-based rack may not be as industrial as it seems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you in need of some of those warehouse metal racks you have seen in other businesses? Click the pallet rack<\/a> link and have a look at some good selective rack. You can also call us to talk to us about your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Products, discussed in the article<\/h2>\n \n \n
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\n \n \n <\/a>\n \"Pallet<\/a>\n
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Pallet Racking Builder<\/a><\/h4>\n
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