How Do I Select a Racking System for a Warehouse?

Updated: August 26, 2026

The Types, Benefits and Potential Drawbacks to Help You Find Your Warehouse’s Match

Today’s options for warehouse racking systems and styles are many, and the choices continue to expand. It can be challenging to decide which type is best for your warehouse. What should you expect from a racking system? Is there a difference between a pallet racking system and an automated racking system? What is the most widely used pallet racking system? And which racking system is best for my operations? The questions can go on, but our team at Hy-Tek is here to help you understand the choices. In this blog post, we’re breaking down the different kinds of pallet racking systems and discussing the benefits and potential drawbacks of each one.

First, What is a Pallet Racking System?

A pallet racking system is a storage system that stores pallets of items in horizontal rows on multiple levels, providing more efficient storage by taking advantage of available vertical space. In short, it’s a critical investment in making the best use of your warehouse’s space, providing maximum visibility and access to inventory, and ensuring the most efficient moving of your inventory.

Here, we’re detailing the types of racking systems. It’s important to know that for all types, they can come in structural (hot-rolled) steel and cold-formed steel. It’s common to use structural steel in food applications, but both can be used in a variety of industries.

1. Selective Pallet Racking: The Most Popular Racking Solution for Warehouse Storage Needs

First available in the 1950s, the selective pallet rack, also known as static racking is the most popular pallet storage system used in warehouses today. Its popularity is due to its low cost and wide selection of upright heights and beam sizes for custom configurations.

With this system, you can flexibly store loads at various heights, and it easily allows you to access 100 percent of the loads. Because you have direct access to each load, you also have 100 percent “selectivity.”

Advantages of Selective Pallet Racking

Easy assembly and de-install
Can be configured in different ways based on your industrial equipment
Lower entry price compared to more complex racking systems

Disadvantages of Selective Pallet Racking

Lower storage density compared to other types of racking
Less efficient use of floor space due to many aisles

2. Double Deep Pallet Rack: Increase your Storage Space

Double deep warehouse racking systems share the same components as a selective racking system, except for one consideration: the two rows of rack are installed adjacent to one another, which means you can take advantage of higher storage density.

However, since they are two loads deep you will need a double deep reach truck with an extendable pantograph to load and unload from these pallet rack systems.

Advantages of Double Deep Pallet Rack

Easy assembly and de-install
Greater storage density than selective pallet rack systems
Can be configured in different ways based on your industrial equipment
Lower entry price compared to more complex racking systems

Disadvantages of Double Deep Pallet Rack

Reduction in selectivity to 50 percent
Requires either a bottom beam level or longer beams to accommodate the outriggers of the double deep reach truck
Requires more expensive loading and unloading equipment

3. Carton Flow Pallet Racks: The Ideal Storage Solution for Businesses With High Turnover Rates

If your business has high product turnover rates, you may want to consider using a carton flow rack system. Carton flow racks are designed specifically for businesses that deal with small non-palletized, lightweight items and need to pick orders frequently and quickly.

It typically uses uprights and beams like a selective rack system; however, the lower levels are equipped with rollers mounted to rails to transport the cartons from the loading side to the picking side of the system, allowing workers at ground level easy access when loading or unloading cartons.

It is common to have pallets stored above the carton flow rack.

Advantages of Carton Flow Rack Systems

Fit for a combination of different carton sizes
Uses gravity as a free power source
Clear visibility of product inventory
Enhanced efficiency for order fulfillment

Disadvantages of Carton Flow Rack Systems

Carton flow racks are more expensive than standard pallet racking systems
Typically requires manual unloading of pallets to load cartons into the system

4. Cantilever Racking System: Perfect for Long Loads

Cantilever racking systems come in single- and double-sided options and use arms attached to upright posts to store long items such as pipes, carpet rolls, and lumber.

Built out of a combination of towers, arms, and bases, cantilever racks are ideal for storing long loads.

They employ vertical supports on the rear side of their structure and use arms that extend from the back to support loads with no vertical obstruction on the loading side of the system.

Advantages of Cantilever Racks

Ideal for long loads and can store small items or pallets if needed (available as Furniture Cantilever Racking)
Easy to install and reconfigure
A broad number of capacity ranges
No vertical obstruction on the front of the system, allowing the ability to stack materials horizontally

Disadvantages of Cantilever Racks

Can require additional flooring or reinforcement
Requires very wide aisle for material handling equipment access or use of a CombiLift fork truck that moves in four directions in tight spaces or narrow aisles
Can only store pallets with a furniture cantilever rack (since each arm level is fully decked).
Load must be self-supporting

5. Multi-Tier Pallet Rack: Leverage Vertical Height

Multi-tier racking (also referred to as a pick module structure) gives you better use of vertical space. They have different levels for manual picking and loading that are connected by stairs.

These systems are ideal for orders with small items, such as auto parts and fastener distributors or pharmaceutical companies.

Thanks to the multiple levels, multi-tiered pallet racks create higher density picking. Conveying equipment is typically required to transport the picked goods out of the system.

Advantages of Multi-Tier Pallet Racking

Maximum use of vertical warehouse space for order picking
Flexible for different cartons or item sizes
Direct access to SKUs without the use of industrial equipment
Safe and enclosed to protect workers

Disadvantages of Multi-Tier Pallet Racking

Relative expense

6. Drive-In Pallet Racks: Ideal For Businesses With Limited Warehouse Space

TheDrive-in pallet rack is popular in warehouses because you can store many goods in a small area for very dense storage. It’s perfect for warehouses with limited warehouse space since it eliminates aisles by having one shared entry and exit point. While not as popular, there is also the option of a Drive-through pallet rack that is loaded from both sides of the system, creating a LIFO and FIFO system.

The operator “drives-in,” to the system, and loads and unloads from one side of the system. Because the operator drives into the system, there is typically a higher level of interaction between the rack and the forklift, which can result in an increased risk of damage and safety concerns.

Advantages of Drive-In Pallet Racks

Fewer aisles mean increased storage space

Disadvantages of Drive-In Pallet Racks

Uses LIFO (last-in-first-out storage) so older inventory can get stuck in the back of the racking system
Low selectivity that may require multiple handling
Since forklifts place and retrieve items within the racks, there is more risk of damage
Pallet sizes must be the same size to fit in the lanes
Pallet condition is very important as it provides the support of the load
Risk of “honeycombing” with undisciplined storage put-away
Challenging inventory management

7. Pallet Flow Racks: Take Advantage of Gravity

Pallet Flow Rack systems use common selective pallet rack components, with the addition of roller tracks.

One side of the pallet flow rack (also called gravity flow racks) is for loading, and the other end is for picking. Pallets are loaded into the back of the system, and they roll to the front of the system by means of gravity rollers.

This gravity system increases storage capacity and enhances the storage and retrieval process, which reduces the workforce and labor required.

They are commonly seen in applications that have products with expiration dates due to the higher turnover rates these FIFO (first-in-first-out) pallet rack systems provide.

Advantages of Pallet Flow Racks

It uses the FIFO method, preventing inventory from getting stuck in the back
Quick and efficient inventory turnover
Very high storage density with little lost space
Reduces replenishment for picking (great for fast-moving SKUs)

Disadvantages of Pallet Flow Racks

Pallets can become jammed if broken pieces get caught in the gravity rollers
Reliant on pallets as the medium for movement
Require maintenance on wheels and brakes
One of the most expensive pallet racking systems
Newer systems (depending on the commodity classification & rack layout) may be limited to 20’ deep before adding a 6” transverse flue due to new regulations as part of NFPA (fire safety code compliance).

8. Push Back Pallet Racking: Ideal for Storage Density

Push-back pallet rack systems are perfect for warehouses that have a high volume of SKUs and that are looking for storage density.

The racks use pallets that are stored on inclined rails with free-rolling carts. As pallets are loaded into the system, the loading pallet pushes or stores pallets toward the back of the system, with the new pallet assuming the storage location of the old. When loads are removed from the front of the rack, the next pallet rolls to the front position.

This type of rack is ideal for storing frequently accessed products since items use gravity to move the next group of materials forward.

Since everything can be accessed from the front of the aisle, push-back racks use the LIFO method and require fewer pick aisles.

Advantages of Push Back Pallet Racking

High-density storage
Custom designed for your pallet sizes
Decreased labor costs
Forklifts do not enter the rack structure, limiting damage
Increased Pallet Access

Disadvantages of Push-Back Pallet Racking

Limited to 5 or 6 pallets deep
Reliance on the load to push the other loads
Possible product damage when carts slide forward
Loss of some vertical space due to the slope of the rails
Higher costs and more frequent maintenance – due to the number of wheels, carts, and bearings used
Newer systems (depending on the commodity classification & rack layout) may be limited to 20’ deep before adding a 6” transverse flue due to new regulations as part of NFPA (fire safety code compliance).

Other Types of Dynamic Racking

Many other types of dynamic racking can be customized to fit the needs of your warehouse, including pallet flow racks, light shelving, and mezzanine structures.

Looking Beyond the Racking System

For most organizations, focusing on the features of the racking system and finding the right fit is the priority. Beyond the racking solution itself, it’s critical to find a partner who sees your new system as one part of an integrated solution to improve the productivity and efficiency of your warehouse operations.

“Finding the right partner who can help source systems like racking solutions matters, and it’s critical they can also move beyond those choices into the other areas of your warehouse, like software, warehouse management solutions, labor optimization and more,” said NAME, TITLE, Hy-Tek Intralogistics. “With Hy-Tek, you can work with a team that offers it all — expertise on the hardware and systems you need to perform daily tasks and also the consulting and strategic services that can move your operations forward in both the short and long term.”

An example of this consultative expertise is recent changes in fire code compliance. New codes have restrictions on how close pallets can be stored in both the longitudinal (i.e. down aisle) and transverse (i.e. cross aisle) directions. These are referred to as flue spaces and depending on the commodity classification of the product being stored, there are varying requirements for flue spacing, and other variables like if in-rack sprinklers and in-rack flue spacers.

“As a result of the new fire code requirements, there are additional accessories to add to your racking system to ensure your warehouse is compliant,” added NAME. “Our teams can help insure you’re not only finding the right racking system, but that you’re also setting your facility up for long-term success and evolving code compliance.”

Get Started Now

Warehouse pallet racking systems come in many options, but choosing the right solution for your needs doesn’t have to be challenging.

The first place to start is by identifying the number of palletized SKUs, the dimensions of your pallets and the variety of pallet sizes, while also determining the weight of your pallets.

Once you’ve established this, you can undertake more detailed steps like discovering how long SKUs will be in your facility, the relationship between storage density and product movement, what form of retrieval is best, and the placement of your industrial racking.

Then, you can partner with the right team of experts to help you make your final choice and built it into your ongoing strategy. To start the conversation today, please visit our contact us page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should warehouse racking be inspected?

Racks that are more susceptible to damage should be inspected every three months. Racks with a low risk of damage should be inspected every six months.

How do you inspect warehouse racking?

1. Look for dents, twists, or deep scrapes along the beams and uprights
2. Check deflection levels
3. Check that your load beams are seated into your uprights and the load locks/ safety locks are properly engaged (if not, add a through bolt & nut) to prevent the beam from becoming dislodged from uplift forces

4. Look for substantial rust or corrosion
5. Look for any broken welds

How should I clean my warehouse racking and how frequently?

Warehouse racking should be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that pallets are not damaged and products are correctly stored. The best way to clean your warehouse rack is by using an air compressor. An air compressor will remove any dust, dirt, or debris from the pallet load without damaging the pallets or pallet loads. Afterward, vacuum the floor to remove obstructions from the walkways. If the racking is galvanized (for cooler applications) power washing is also a good alternative

How do you maintain warehouse racking?

Inspect your warehouse racking at least once a year for signs of damage, wear and tear, corrosion, or rust. If you find any problems with your racks, contact a professional immediately so they can repair them before more damage occurs
Make sure all pallets are labeled so you can quickly identify the contents and where they should be stored
Keep pallets away from walls to prevent damage
Do not overload racks with pallets or products
Use an air compressor to clean warehouse racks regularly. This will remove any dust, dirt, or debris accumulated on the pallet load
Make sure there are RMI certified Load Plaques located at the ends of the rows of racking indicating the maximum beam & column loads per bay