Shelving

Square feet are costly in any building. So storing things vertically rather than taking up floor space is crucial to space management in a business. In fact, most companies need a way to continually expand their storage capabilities as the business grows. Shelving is the answer.

Who Uses Shelving?

Whether your business is in retail and you need shelving to display products, or your business is in manufacturing and you need to store materials to be assembled for new products, shelving will solve your storage challenges. Shelving is also crucial for any business that has years' worth of boxes of archived records to store, such as medical and law offices.

Types of Shelving

Most shelving is constructed of metal (usually steel or chrome), wood (especially for cabinet-type shelving), or a combination of both (with the frame being metal and shelf decking being wood or wood particle). Some metal shelving has wire shelves. Glass or acrylic shelving is also popular, especially for displaying trophies and collectibles. Shelving is either open on all four sides or closed (like a cabinet) on the sides and back, open only at the front.

Other Types of Shelving

There are also mobile file systems, which are movable on a track on the floor. These file systems store far more files or objects than a conventional system taking up more floor space, and they have the additional option of being locked for security purposes.

Some shelving is available as standalone floor models; other shelving is designed for wall mounting. In addition to display units, bookshelves, and computer component organizers that can be mounted on walls, there are also handy corner shelves and even wall-mounted magazine racks for an office reception area.

Assembling Shelving

When selecting shelving, an important consideration beyond the size and weight capacity is the complexity of assembling the shelving. Be sure to look into purchasing boltless shelving. These systems require no tools but have components that lock together tightly and are easy to assemble.

Other Considerations When Selecting Shelving

There are several things to keep in mind when you shop for shelving, such as:

• Be sure you know exactly how much height/clearance will be needed between shelves to accommodate your items—or buy units with adjustable shelves
• If your wooden shelving unit will be in a highly trafficked area or people will be continually moving boxes and other large items on or off the shelves, it may be wise to purchase corner protectors.
• How much access do you need to the shelved items? Is access from the front side enough? If so, a frame with an “x” brace on the back side will be okay and will help to stabilize the unit from shelving. Or do you need access from the front and back or even from the sides of the unit?
• Will your shelving unit possible be moved around after installation? In that case, you'll want to select shelving on wheels with brakes and with swivel casters for maneuverability

Finally, keep in mind that many shelving styles today come with options for accessories such as shelf dividers or modular drawers to make your shelving even more versatile in meeting your evolving storage needs.

By Kathleen Goolsby