Storage Racking System
A storage racking system stores palletized and long loads on steel uprights and beams. SJF says Selective rack is the most widely used because every pallet is directly accessible from the aisle. iWarehousing lists 100% direct, immediate access. Rocky Mountain, REB, United Rack, and Richmond list density, cost-per-bay, and type tradeoffs.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
Storage racking systems
| Topic | Answer | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Selective access | Selective rack is the most widely used because every pallet is directly accessible from the aisle | SJF |
| 100% selectivity | 100% direct, immediate access to every single pallet position from the main aisle | iWarehousing |
| Drive-in density | Up to 75% more pallet positions than selective rack in the same footprint | SJF |
| Push-back density | Up to 60% more pallet positions than selective rack in the same footprint | SJF |
| Selective cost per bay | Hardware Cost $300–$600/bay new · $150–$300 inspected used | United Rack |
| Used savings (Rocky) | reduce material costs by 40–60% compared to new while maintaining full safety compliance | Rocky Mountain |
| Used savings (United) | Used racking typically costs 30–60% less than comparable new systems | United Rack |
| Selective elevation capacity | Typical selective rack systems support 2,000 to 8,000 lbs per pallet elevation | Rocky Mountain |
| Beam pair capacity | Beam capacities commonly range from 2,000 to 10,000+ lbs per pair | iWarehousing |
| Type menu + mix | Most warehouses combine 2–3 rack types — selective as the backbone, drive-in or push-back in the bulk zone, carton flow in the pick zone | United Rack |
Selective access versus density
SJF says Selective rack is the most widely used because every pallet is directly accessible from the aisle. The other systems trade selectivity for storage density, throughput speed, or load-type compatibility. Drive-in is listed at Up to 75% more pallet positions than selective rack in the same footprint. Push-back is listed at Up to 60% more pallet positions than selective rack in the same footprint. iWarehousing lists 100% direct, immediate access to every single pallet position from the main aisle.
Cost per bay and used savings
United Rack Solutions lists Hardware Cost $300–$600/bay new · $150–$300 inspected used for selective, Lowest cost per bay of any rack type. United also says Used racking typically costs 30–60% less than comparable new systems. Rocky Mountain Warehouse Solutions says reduce material costs by 40–60% compared to new while maintaining full safety compliance. Rocky home also lists Inspected used racking at 30-50% below new pricing.
Capacity figures
Rocky Mountain says Typical selective rack systems support 2,000 to 8,000 lbs per pallet elevation. iWarehousing says Beam capacities commonly range from 2,000 to 10,000+ lbs per pair, regularly reaching 30 to 45 feet with professional design. United Rack says typically ranges from 2,000 lbs to 6,000+ lbs per beam level.
Type menus from REB and Richmond
REB says Selective pallet rack enables direct access to all stored pallets or cartons without the need to move others. Push back racking is for last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory management. Pallet flow rack a FIFO system ideal for date-sensitive products. Drive-in (LIFO) and drive-through (FIFO) racking systems are ideal for storing large quantities of homogeneous products. Cantilever racking is ideal for storing and retrieving products with varying weights, lengths, and sizes. Richmond says The most versatile and widely used system, selective racking allows direct access to each pallet, and Drive-in supports LIFO inventory; drive-through enables FIFO.
Combining types
United Rack says Most warehouses combine 2–3 rack types — selective as the backbone, drive-in or push-back in the bulk zone, carton flow in the pick zone. Rocky Mountain home lists Selective, drive-in, push back, pallet flow, and cantilever systems tailored to your inventory. SJF says Every project includes warehouse layout and CAD design, structural engineering with stamped drawings where required, permit submittal and code coordination, engineered to ANSI MH16.1 / RMI standards.
Sources (fetched 2 Sep 2026): SJF — warehouse racking systems; iWarehousing — selective pallet racking; Rocky Mountain — pallet racking; Rocky Mountain — home; REB Storage Systems; Richmond Rack — choosing the right racking system; United Rack — types of pallet racking systems; United Rack — pallet racking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a storage racking system?
A storage racking system is the steel upright-and-beam layout that stores palletized and long loads vertically. SJF says Selective rack is the most widely used because every pallet is directly accessible from the aisle. iWarehousing lists 100% direct, immediate access to every single pallet position from the main aisle.
How much does a storage racking system cost per bay?
United Rack Solutions lists Hardware Cost $300–$600/bay new · $150–$300 inspected used for selective, the lowest cost per bay of any rack type. United also says Used racking typically costs 30–60% less than comparable new systems. Rocky Mountain says reduce material costs by 40–60% compared to new.
What is the difference between selective and drive-in storage racking?
SJF says Selective rack is the most widely used because every pallet is directly accessible from the aisle. SJF also lists Up to 75% more pallet positions than selective rack in the same footprint. REB says Drive-in (LIFO) and drive-through (FIFO) racking systems are ideal for storing large quantities of homogeneous products.
What storage racking system types should a buyer compare?
United Rack says Most warehouses combine 2–3 rack types — selective as the backbone, drive-in or push-back in the bulk zone, carton flow in the pick zone. REB says Selective pallet rack enables direct access to all stored pallets or cartons without the need to move others. Richmond says selective racking allows direct access to each pallet.
How much capacity does a selective storage racking system support?
Rocky Mountain says Typical selective rack systems support 2,000 to 8,000 lbs per pallet elevation. iWarehousing says Beam capacities commonly range from 2,000 to 10,000+ lbs per pair, with system heights regularly reaching 30 to 45 feet with professional design. United lists 2,000 lbs to 6,000+ lbs per beam level.