Types of shelving
Commercial shelving takes many forms. Fixed wood or laminate shelves suit offices and display walls. Adjustable standard-and-bracket systems work in storage rooms and back-of-house areas. Heavy-duty steel units hold supplies and files. Custom floating shelves can be part of a feature wall in a lobby or retail space.
Each type has its own load limits. A shelf for binders is different from one for tools, product cartons or medical supplies, and the wall or floor beneath it must be designed accordingly.
Support starts in the wall
The most common shelving failure is a shelf fastened to drywall alone. Real support comes from blocking, studs or structural anchors. Our interior systems crew installs steel or wood blocking at the right heights while the walls are still open, so carpenters can fasten shelves into solid backing.
For tall units, anti-tip anchors and top restraints are standard practice. For storage rooms, floor loading is also worth checking, and our engineers can review heavy rack or file areas.
Shelving often needs power or lighting. Our electrical team adds outlets for equipment and lighting for display or work shelves, so the installation looks planned.
- Fixed and adjustable shelving
- Heavy-duty storage and file systems
- Floating shelves and display shelves
- Blocking and anchoring in walls
- Lighting and power integrated with shelves
What to plan for
Decide what will sit on the shelves before choosing the system. Weight, size and access frequency affect depth, spacing, material and bracket type. A little planning avoids sagging shelves and cramped storage.
Think about fire protection. Storage rooms may need clearances from sprinkler heads, and shelving must not block exits, panels or fire equipment. Our team checks the layout against the design.
Lastly, leave room to grow. Adjustable systems and spare wall space cost little at the start and let the storage change as the business does.