What Type Of Pallet Racking Do I Need?
Choosing the right pallet racking system is one of the most consequential decisions you will make for your warehouse operation.
Get it right, and you gain a storage solution that maximises your available space, supports efficient picking and replenishment, and scales with your business as it grows. However, the wrong decision could mean you are left with a system that creates bottlenecks, wastes floor space or simply does not suit the way your stock moves.
This guide from Logical Storage Solutions covers all of the main types of pallet racking available to UK warehouses.
We hope it will offer you a helpful starting point when making decisions about your warehouse storage requirements.
Cantilever Racking
A rackless structure using horizontal arms extending from vertical columns, with no front uprights to obstruct loading. Designed specifically for long, bulky or irregularly shaped loads.
When you would need it: When you store timber, steel bar, pipes, sheet materials, carpet rolls or other long goods that cannot sit neatly on conventional beam racking. Common in builders merchants, steel stockholders and timber yards.
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Double Deep Racking
A variant of selective racking where pallets are stored two deep, accessed using a specialised double-deep reach truck.
When you would need it: When you want to increase storage density compared to standard selective racking but still need reasonable selectivity. Works well when you have at least two pallets of the same SKU to store in each lane.
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Drive-In Racking
A high-density system where forklift trucks drive directly into the racking structure to place or retrieve pallets. Operates on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis.
When you would need it: When you store large quantities of a small number of SKUs and stock rotation is not a priority. Common in cold stores and bulk storage operations where space efficiency outweighs selectivity.
Mezzanine Racking (Rack-Supported Mezzanine)
A mezzanine floor structure built directly onto and supported by the racking system itself, creating usable floor space above the ground level storage.
When you would need it: When you want to add a working or storage level above your racking without installing a separate freestanding mezzanine structure. Often used to combine ground-level pallet storage with an upper level for pick faces, offices or hand-loaded shelving.
Mobile Racking (Motorised Mobile Shelving)
Racking units mounted on motorised bases that move along floor tracks. Only one aisle is open at any time, with the system compacting closed when not in use.
When you would need it: When you need to maximise storage capacity within a fixed footprint and cannot extend the building. Widely used in cold stores, archives and facilities where the high cost of refrigerated or specialist space makes dense storage a financial priority.
Multi-Tier Racking
A multi-level shelving or racking structure with two or more full-height tiers, each accessed by staircases and walkways, creating multiple independent floor levels within a single structure.
When you would need it: When you store large volumes of smaller items or cartons rather than pallets and need to maximise the use of building height. Common in e-commerce fulfilment centres, spare parts operations and retail distribution where manual picking across many SKUs is the primary activity.
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Narrow Aisle Racking (NA)
Standard selective racking configured with significantly reduced aisle widths, requiring specialist narrow aisle (NA) or very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks guided by wire or rail systems.
When you would need it: When you want to retain full selectivity but need to increase pallet positions within an existing building by reducing aisle space. Particularly suited to warehouses with high ceiling heights where VNA trucks can maximise vertical storage.
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Push Back Racking
Pallets are loaded from the front onto wheeled carts or rails that push back along inclined rails as each new pallet is added. Retrieval reverses the process on a LIFO basis.
When you would need it: When you need greater storage density than selective racking but want front-only access without driving into the structure. A good option for chilled storage or where aisle space is at a premium and you have multiple pallets per SKU.
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Selective Pallet Racking
The most common racking system, offering direct access to every pallet. Suited to single or double-deep configurations and works with standard counterbalance or reach trucks.
When you would need it: When you store a wide variety of SKUs and need immediate access to every pallet without moving others. Ideal for operations with high product diversity and relatively low volumes per SKU.
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Very Narrow Aisle Racking (VNA)
An evolution of narrow aisle racking where aisles are reduced to the absolute minimum, typically under 1.8 metres, using man-up or man-down VNA trucks that travel within a guided system.
When you would need it: When storage density and selectivity both need to be maximised in a building with significant height. Often the preferred solution for large distribution centres where the investment in guided truck systems is justified by the volume of pallet movements.
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Get More Help From Our Pallet Racking Experts
At Logical Storage Solutions, we help warehouses across the UK to find the right pallet racking solution for their specific needs. Our services cover the design and installation of all of the pallet racking types we’ve mentioned above.
If you need any help selecting the best racking type for your requirements, please contact us for a free quote.
Or, to speak with our team directly, please call us on 0845 689 1300.