Racking is one of the most essential equipment for the warehouse and there are many types of racks that can be chosen. Among many types of racking systems, the cantilever racks are widely opted. Cantilever racks consist of a specialized system of storage which are suitable for bulky, long, and irregularly shaped items. These items consist of vertical columns that have horizontal arms and are extended outwards.
These racks have open designs offering efficient handling using different automated systems or manual labor. These racks are suitable for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and construction sites. Cantilever racks can be either double-sided or single-sided and selection between them is based on factors like operational efficiency and storage optimization.
If you are looking to learn about the two of these racking systems and their suitability for applications the guide below can help you. So, let’s read.
Single-Sided Cantilever Racks
Definition
Single-sided cantilever racks have horizontal arms that extend from one side of the vertical column. These racks are meant to store items vertically and are kept against the walls.
Features
The features of these single-sided cantilever racks are as follows:
- They have a compact design and can be opted for limited space.
- The length of the arm and the material help in determining the capacity the rack has to hold material.
- It consists of an open structure that helps with ease in loading and retrieving the items.
Pros
The advantages of single-sided cantilever racks are as follows:
- They are equipped with space efficiency and are suitable for narrow and limited spaces.
- They are installed against the wall with a very simple method of installation.
- They offer ease of organization and can be opted for small-sized spaces when it comes to organizing materials.
Cons
The downsides of the single-sided cantilever racks are as follows:
- The capacity of storage in these racks is limited when compared to the double-sided ones.
- The access is restricted to just one size and it needs more wall space.
Applications
The single-sided cantilever racks are suitably used in spaces that are narrow and require wall installations. These are used in retail stores, workshops, and warehouses to store pipes and beams or other long products.
Double-Sided Cantilever Racks
Definition
Double-sided cantilever racks have horizontal arms that extend from the two sides of the center column. It helps in strengthening the products from both directions.
Features
The features of a double-sided cantilever rack are as follows:
- It offers double storage capacity and takes the same space as a single-sided rack.
- Double-sided cantilever racks offer enhanced structure stability which ensures a balanced support.
- It is suitable for layouts having no wall restrictions.
Pros
The pros of the double-sided cantilever racks are as follows:
- It offers double storage capacity in a single structure.
- A double-sided cantilever rack offers access from the two sides which improves its operational efficiency.
- It is suitable for storing heavy items that have irregular or long shapes.
Cons
There are some downsides of the double-sided cantilever racks as well and these are as follows:
- It needs more floor space sometimes and cannot be used in limited spaces.
- They have a high cost of investment as they have a strong structure.
Applications
The double-sided cantilever racks are suitable for warehouse and industrial facilities that have a lot of space and require high-volume storage. These racks are suitable for storing huge pipes and other metal products that are heavy and long.
Key Differences Between Single-Sided and Double-Sided Cantilever Racks
The section below features a table at a glance offering differences between single-sided and double-sided cantilever racks and below this is a detailed comparison.
| Design | These are wall-mounted and have side arms. | Double-sided cantilever racks are free-standing racks with arms on two sides. |
| Storage Capacity | The storage capacity of single-sided racks is half. | They have double capacity compared to single ones. |
| Space Requirements | They are suitable for tight spaces. | They are suitable for open spaces. |
| Cost | They require a low initial investment. | The initial investment of these racks is high. |
| Accessibility | The accessibility of single-sided racks is from one side only. | Double-sided racks are accessible from both sides. |
- Design and Structure
The two of these cantilever racks differ in terms of their design and structure. The single-sided cantilever rack has arms on one side and it is placed against the walls. The double-sided cantilever rack has arms on two sides and it stands freely.
- Storage Capacity
The single-sided cantilever racks comprise half of the capacity that a double-sided cantilever rack has. The double-sided cantilever rack comprises double capacity.
- Space Requirements
The double-sided and single-sided cantilever racks differ in terms of space requirements as well. The single-sided cantilever racks are suitable for small spaces that are tight. However, the double-sided racks need more space for ease of access.
- Cost
The cost of a single-sided cantilever rack is very less because it has a simple design and hence costs less. However, the cost of double-sided cantilever racks is high. It offers more storage space and structural integrity.
- Storage Efficiency
The single-sided cantilever racks are suitable for small-scale storage in applications where space is a concern. They have a compact design which makes them suitable for placement against walls and tend to make the best use of vertical space in an efficient way. It also helps keep the floor area clean for the other processes and is suitable for such items that are lightweight.
Double-sided cantilever racks are meant to maximize the storage capacity and can be a suitable choice for facilities storing a high volume of products. It offers double storage capacity and is suitable for layouts with open floors and utilizes the space very quickly. They even offer quick access to a large material quantity.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Single-Sided Vs Double-Sided Cantilever Racks
When choosing between single-sided and double-sided cantilever racks, some of the factors to consider are as follows:
Available Space
The layout of the warehouse and its floor area determines the type of cantilever rack that you may look forward to having. Single-sided racks are suitable for spaces that are narrow and wall placement is opted. However, the double-sided racks are suitable for areas that are open and have enough room to be accessible from the two sides.
Storage Needs
The storage requirements that you may have also determine the type of cantilever racks that you require for your warehouse. You need to assess the weight, size, and volume of the items that you plan to store.
Single-sided racks are meant to hold small-sized products which are made with light materials. However, the double-sided racks can handle large quantities and heavy loads as they have more storage capacity.
Budget
You also need to consider your budget and compare it with long-term benefits. The single-sided racks offer affordability in the short term. However, if you want to have high value for money you can consider having double-sided cantilever racks that offer to store more items as the business expands.
Access Requirements
The accessibility requirements of the cantilever racks are also considerable. Single-sided racks are suitable for such facilities that need access from one side. However, double-sided cantilever racks are suitable for accessing from multiple directions and they offer the convenience and flow of operations in the facility.
Structural Stability
The double-sided racks need excessive structural support which helps in balancing the load distribution on the two sides. The stability of these racks offers to hold heavy loads. They have a design accessible for the two sides.
Single-sided racks are also stable as they are fixed to the wall and have wall support which reduces the risk of structure failure. It makes them easy to maintain and install and hence can be installed in spaces where such racks that stand freely are not possible to be stored. They are wall-mounted and can easily be suitable for small-sized spaces.
Ideal Scenarios for Each Rack Type
Each type of rack has a different scenario in which it can be used and these are discussed below.
When to Choose Single-Sided Racks
Single-sided cantilever racks are suitable for use in spaces that are limited and racks require vertical storage by having these racks installed against the walls. They are suitable for warehouses that have narrow spaces, or facilities requiring efficient storage systems without covering much of the floor area.
When to Choose Double-Sided Racks
Double-sided cantilever racks are suitable for spaces that are large and open. These spaces may require a storage system for storing products taking huge space. They are suitable for warehouses, lumberyards, and industrial facilities.
These racks can be accessed from the two sides offering maximum storage density. They are suitable for use in environments offering high inventory turnover or for storing bulky and heavy materials.
Tips to Optimize Cantilever Racks
When incorporating the cantilever racks some of the important tips to make the best use of them are discussed below.
Even Weight Distribution
Appropriate weight distribution is important to ensure that the stability of the cantilever racks is maintained. It is important to ensure that the items are properly distributed across the arms evenly so that there is no uneven stress on the structure. When you are loading the racks make sure to keep the heavy items close to the base as it reduces the chances for tipping.
Also, make sure that the spacing between the arms is appropriate based on the weight and size of the materials stored.
Timely Maintenance of Racks
Timely safety checks and maintenance are very important for ensuring the life of the cantilever racks. Hence, they should be inspected for the signs of wear and tear and when any bends and broken components are observed, they should be replaced.
The bolts and fasteners must also be tight so that the safety risks are mitigated. The racks must be kept clean and any kind of debris and dust must be removed. Keeping the racks clean is also very important to ensure their durability and reliability in the long run.
Conclusion
The selection of a type of cantilever racking is the most crucial aspect for any facility. Hence, when it comes to choosing the cantilever racks you must have an idea of the two types being single-sided and double-sided cantilever racks.
If you are looking to have hands on high quality cantilever racks for your warehouses you can contact us at Lracking. We offer a wide range of racking systems among which our cantilever racks are quite popular. We also customize the racking systems for our clients based on their space availability and requirements. So, let us know your requirements to get the cantilever racks designed for your space.
