In today’s competitive business landscape, making the best use of space and having efficient storage solutions are crucial for success. Two popular industrial options are rack-supported mezzanine floor vs. selective pallet racking. By understanding their differences, features, and benefits, you can make an informed decision about which storage solution suits your needs best.
What is a Rack Supported Mezzanine Floor?
A rack-supported mezzanine floor is an excellent way to utilise the often-wasted space above your racking. This system uses pallet racking materials to create a cost-effective method for adding additional floor space. Essentially, it is a “floor over racking system” where the racking structure itself supports the floor and its contents, removing the need for structural steel columns.
With rack-supported mezzanine floors, pallet racking integrates into the floor space below. This allows for various shelving and racking systems to be used. You can build aisles between the racking rows or construct complete platforms on the racking units. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of operational needs.
Rack-Supported Mezzanine Floor Differences
One of the main features of a rack-supported mezzanine floor is that it can be dismantled and moved to a new location if necessary. It offers an affordable way to create extra space on top of existing pallet racking. These floors are designed with future growth in mind, maximising floor space by utilising the height of the building. The structures are easily assembled and disassembled, making them adjustable to any space.
Rack-supported mezzanine floors are often used for extra storage, office space, or a mix of both. They drastically improve the storage capacity of a facility and offer a high-performing, cost-effective storage solution. By creating additional storage space without sacrificing office or work areas, businesses can save money on costly building extensions or relocations.
Advantages of Rack-Supported Mezzanine Floors
Rack-supported mezzanine floors are cost-effective and flexible, providing an excellent way to create additional floor and storage space in your warehouse. These systems maximise the number of storage locations in a limited space and serve as a good economic alternative to structural steel mezzanine floors. The additional storage space above or below the mezzanine level can be easily created and integrated with various other systems to increase storage capacity within the facility.
Another benefit is that easy assembly leads to less downtime and minimal interruption of operations during installation. Staircases, handrails, catwalks, pallet gates, wooden or steel floor panels, goods chutes, lighting, sprinklers, offices, and conveyors can also be included in the construction of rack-supported mezzanine systems.
What is Selective Pallet Racking?
Selective pallet racking is a type of pallet racking configuration where every pallet position is immediately accessible from the aisle. It is the most common pallet racking system due to its simplicity and efficiency. This system avoids the need to move one pallet to access another, making each pallet highly visible and easy to load and unload.
Selective Pallet Racking Differences
Selective pallet racking differs from other racking systems because it provides direct access to each pallet. Unlike other systems that may require moving multiple pallets to reach one, this system ensures that every pallet is easily accessible. This feature makes selective pallet racking a preferred choice for many businesses.
Benefits of Selective Pallet Racking
There are several benefits to using selective pallet racking. It is the cheapest racking option per pallet position and is widely popular, making it easy to find used. This system allows easy access to the highest number of SKUs and facilitates easier manoeuvring of forklifts in wide aisles. It does not require special forklift equipment, as a standard counterbalanced forklift is sufficient. Selective pallet racking also accommodates multiple pallet sizes within the same system and uses vertical space efficiently with a simpler component profile.
Rack-Supported Mezzanine Floor Vs. Selective Pallet Racking
When comparing rack-supported mezzanine floors and selective pallet racking, it’s essential to consider your specific storage needs and space utilisation goals. Rack-supported mezzanine floors excel at maximising vertical space, creating additional floor space without expanding your building’s footprint. They are ideal for businesses needing extra storage or office space within the same facility. On the other hand, selective pallet racking optimises floor space by allowing easy access to each pallet, making it suitable for operations requiring frequent stock rotation.
Both systems offer cost-effective solutions, but their applications differ. Rack-supported mezzanine floors provide an economical alternative to structural steel mezzanine floors and save on building extensions. Selective pallet racking is the cheapest per pallet position and is easy to find used, offering immediate savings.
Rack-supported mezzanine floors are highly flexible and expandable, designed to grow with your business. They can be customised to fit unique operational requirements and are easily assembled and disassembled. Selective pallet racking also offers flexibility, accommodating various pallet sizes and requiring no special forklift equipment.
Conclusion
Choosing between a rack-supported mezzanine floor and selective pallet racking depends on your specific needs for storage and space utilisation. Rack-supported mezzanine floors offer an excellent solution for creating additional floor space and integrating various systems for increased storage capacity. Selective pallet racking provides easy access to pallets, making it ideal for operations with high SKU turnover.At Krost Shelving & Racking, we have both solutions ready for you, and we are a premium selective pallet racking supplier in SA. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your business’s growth and operational efficiency.
