There are many different manufacturers of Industrial Steel Shelving in the market today. The trouble is picking quality shelving at a reasonable price. The Prices of a shelf depending on the manufacturer can vary greatly and so can the quality. Your cheapest product is currently coming out of China where this type of shelving is mass produced in great quantities. You will also see some cheaper versions of Industrial type shelf's at places like Wal-Mart.

The problem with cheap Shelf's is that they may look industrial but they are not able to handle the weight of a true quality shelf. Generally the life expectancy of the shelf is greatly reduced because the cheap versions tend to twist up much easier when put under heavy weight. Therefore if you are going to put out some money to put some shelving in your warehouse or office space you want to find cheap or reasonably priced steel shelving that is made from quality materials and is truly made to be used in industrial applications.

Quality Industrial Steel Shelving is generally made from 18 gauge or 20 gauge cold rolled steel. What you will find is that some of the cheap versions you will run in to are made from steel that is not thick enough to handle the weight. For a durable paint job shelf's of this type are usually phosphated and then painted with a baked on enamel to ensure a lasting finish. Weight capacity of a quality unit is generally in between 450 to 2000 pounds. The heavier the load requirement the more reinforced the unit has to be. Usually 12 gauge angle bars are used to reinforce the shelving so it can handle heavier weights.

Industrial Steel Shelving is available in a large variety of sizes. Also their are open and closed units depending on your needs. The open units are accessible from both sides where the closed units are made with a back plate and can only be accessed from one side, however closed industrial steel shelving units are more durable and can also be separated in to bins for storing smaller items like screws or such. Generally shelf's of this type come in 5 to 10 shelf units depending on your storage needs.

Wide span Industrial Steel Shelving is made to storing large items in warehouses and can also be used for making tire racks. Tire racks are generally just widespan shelving units without any decking. The shelving is made in a width to accommodate a tire. Wide span shelving is quite sturdy and is perfect for storing heavier load like car parts and such. Widespan Shelving usually comes in anywhere from 3 to 6 levels. Sizes range from 36X12X84 to 96X48X84. Since this type of a shelving unit is used to hold heavier loads it is usually decked with 5/8" particle board but it can also be decked with a wire mesh or any other material that can be cut to size. Tire racks of course do not require decking. A good quality Wide span Shelf is made from cold rolled steel which is then phosphated and then painted with a baked on enamel.

Be weary of Industrial steel shelving that is so cheap that it beats the going market price. Usually when the units are so cheap the quality of the materials used are reflected in that discounted price. Remember that this type of shelving is made from steel and steel prices tend to fluctuate so prices may also vary. However if you find a unit that is made from good quality heavy gauge steel that is cold rolled you are on the right track to getting a quality shelf at a reasonable price