A guide to storage shelving

Shelves are something that have been around since mankind had possessions and needed to store and organise them. By their nature, shelving is more usually open or without a case, unlike book cases that usually consist of a case (closed top and sides) with shelves. Storage shelves can be broken down into three categories: industrial, regular and custom.

Industrial storage shelving

Industrial shelving is a class by itself, as it is almost exclusively categorised by its weight-bearing capacity. According to Northeast Space, industrial shelving can bear a 'uniform distributed load and can be up to 1,000#, as long as it is evenly distributed on shelf."
Features The industrial shelving is usually metal shelving and is available through companies that sell equipment racks as well as steel racking. The weight capacity can vary-usually from 500 £ and up. The category can include wire shelving.

Regular storage shelving

This category of shelving is what one can find most often at department stores or online. These are storage shelving which can be used in garages, kitchens and other places where weight-bearing is not as much of an issue. Cost These shelves are generally cheaper shelves than industrial shelving, which is usually made from the thicker materials required to match the weight-bearing requirements. Weight-bearing requirements When looking at storage shelves, make sure you match the weight-bearing requirements with the shelving you are buying. If you are going store lumber or pieces of metal, buying shelving that can bear only 200 £ per shelf will not be practical. Likewise, buying 500 £ plus a weight bearing capacity shelves for CD storage is overkill. Wire shelving can also be included in this category.

Custom shelving

Custom shelving can include wall-mounted shelving. Loosely, custom shelving is shelving that can be adjustable as well as built to fit a space. This shelving category can include shelving made of wood. Requirements When building custom shelving, you must be sure to match the weight requirements with the construction, that is, materials that are capable of bearing the weight of the items you wish to store.
Online It is possible to buy custom shelving kits at building supply stores or online. Be sure to follow the instructions for their construction carefully.