An Introduction to Wooden Warehouse Racking Systems

Wooden warehouse racks have been gaining popularity among warehouse owners in the recent past. In essence, wooden racks provide a wide range of functional benefits such as the ability to carry large number of loads. Additionally, wooden racks have great aesthetic appeal.

Since wooden racks come in different sizes, designs, and specifications, it is best to understand which wooden racks will work flawlessly in your warehouse. In this article, we will discuss the materials, features, benefits, and drawbacks of using wooden racking systems in your warehouse.

What are the Common Materials Used to Make Wooden Warehouse Racks?

Wooden warehouse racks are made of different wood products which have a variety of aesthetic and functional capabilities.

Primarily, the material used to make a particular type of wooden warehouse rack gives the unit its functional properties. As such, the materials used to make wooden warehouse racks are discussed below:

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Medium density fiberboards (MDFs) are designed with aesthetics in mind. Fundamentally, the MDF is made from wood fibers that are fused together with resin under high temperatures. The resulting product is a smooth and relatively strong board that comes with an evenly finished surface(s).

MDF boards are ideal for making lightweight storage racks that are aesthetically appealing. Nevertheless, you want to avoid storing moist products on MDF racks since the boards deform when they come into contact with water.

Plywood

Plywood is one of the most common materials found in various wooden racking systems. Inherently, plywood is a manufactured wooden product that is made of thin sheets of wooden veneer that are bonded together with adhesive. The wooden veneers are compressed under high temperatures to fuse the adhesive and thins sheets together.

Although plywood is lightweight, it can support significant weights when used in the correct way. Plywood is mainly used in making decking platforms on a pre-existing wooden rack frame. Hence, the plywood distributes weight evenly to the beams and uprights of a wooden warehouse racking system.

Solid Wood

Solid wood exists as lumber from different trees such as mahogany, and it gives the finished racking unit a naturally appealing finish. In general, solid wood is stronger, more durable, and resistant to wear and tear compared to MDFs and plywood.

What are the Benefits of Wooden Racking Systems?

Wooden warehouse racking systems are invaluable storage solutions for most storage facility owners because of their functional and aesthetic capabilities. Some of the benefits of wooden racking systems are discussed below.

Cost-Effectiveness

Buying and installing wooden racks in a warehouse is cheaper than installing metallic racks. As such, the wooden racks are sustainable storage solutions for small-sized businesses, startups, and warehouses.

Easy Customization

You are able to create different racking system designs with wood products. Fundamentally, you can cut different sized wood pieces and join them together to create a new racking design or mimic a pre-existing one. The ease of customization makes wooden racks a go-to storage solution as they are tailored to cater for specific storage needs in a warehouse.

Aesthetic Appeal

Wooden racking systems capture most people’s attention immediately they step foot in your storage facility. Essentially, wooden racks made of solid wood have highlighted natural flaws and wood imperfections that offer a warm finish. Additionally, wooden racks match with different finishing options like paint, varnish, or polish, which bring out the natural wooden color. Hence, the aesthetic appeal makes wooden warehouse racks ideal solutions for displays.

What are the Disadvantages of Wooden Warehouse Racking Systems?

The disadvantages of wooden warehouse racking systems are discussed below.

Limited Loading-Bearing Capacity

Wooden racks are quite strong but have a limited loading capacity compared to metal racks. As such, you should observe how much goods you store on your wooden racking systems to prevent safety hazards as a result of overloading. Additionally, loading your wooden racking units as per the required weight enhances its lifespan.

Reduced Durability

Wooden racking systems are significantly affected by moisture, wear, and pest (such as termites), which reduce their overall lifespan. Nonetheless, you may enhance the racking system’s durability by treating the wood before making the racks. Furthermore, regular maintenance will go a long way to reduce the effects of wear and tear.

Fire Hazard

Wooden racking systems pose a significant fire hazard than metal racking units; wood is a natural fuel. Therefore, it will help if the warehouse installs additional fire mitigation measures like fire retardants, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers to control blazes when the need arises.

Conclusion

Modern technologies such as computer aided designing have made designing wooden racks an efficient process. Automations and smart technology will see that the manufacturing process of wooden racks becomes more sustainable in the future.