When it comes to warehouse storage, choosing the right racking system makes all the difference. While standard pallet racking is the go-to option for many Aussie businesses, there are times when it’s simply not the best fit. That’s where cantilever racking steps in.
If you’re weighing up cantilever racking vs standard racking, here’s what sets them apart and when to use each.
What Is Standard Racking?
Standard pallet racking is what you’ll see in most warehouses across Australia. It’s designed to store palletised goods, boxes, and bulk stock safely and efficiently. Upright frames, beams, and shelves create a strong structure that makes loading and unloading with forklifts simple.
Best for:
- Palletised goods
- Bulk products
- Uniform stock sizes
- Warehouses that rely heavily on forklifts
What Is Cantilever Racking?
Cantilever racking is purpose-built for storing long, bulky, or awkward items that won’t sit neatly on a pallet. Instead of horizontal beams and shelves, cantilever racks use arms that extend out from upright columns, leaving the front completely open. This makes it easy to store items of varying lengths without being restricted by shelf sizes.
Best for:
- Timber, steel cabinets, and aluminium lengths
- Pipes and conduit
- Large panels, sheet materials, and flat packs
- Any long or irregularly shaped stock
Key Differences Between Cantilever and Standard Racking
- Design & Layout
- Standard racks have upright frames and horizontal beams, creating enclosed bays for pallets.
- Cantilever racks are open-fronted, with arms that adjust to different load sizes.
- What They Store
- Standard racks are ideal for pallets and uniform stock.
- Cantilever racks are the winner when it comes to awkward or oversized items.
- Accessibility
- Standard racks rely on forklifts to access pallets.
- Cantilever racks allow quick side-loading, making them perfect for handling long materials.
- Flexibility
- Standard racks are more rigid in design, limited by pallet sizes.
- Cantilever racks can be customised with different arm lengths and weight capacities.
- Space Use
- Standard racks work best in traditional warehouse layouts.
- Cantilever racks maximise vertical space for long stock without wasting floor area.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose Standard Racking if:
Your warehouse deals mainly with palletised stock, cartons, or bulk goods. - Choose Cantilever Racking if:
You need a reliable way to store long, heavy, or irregular items like pipes, timber, or sheet materials.
For many businesses, the right solution is a mix of both systems, with standard racks for pallets and cantilever racks for those awkward, oversized products that just won’t fit anywhere else. Speak with the team at Southwest Pallet Racking to find the right solution for your business.