What is the difference between racking and shelving is a very common thought in the minds of a lay person. They might look the same as both are basically horizontal beams supported by vertical frames or posts. Shelves, deck supports or wire decking supported by beams may or may not be used. Depending on what is to be stored, businesses can decide what they want.
To put it in a simple way, the important difference between racking and shelving is the size and type of products that have to be stored. Normally, shelving is for storing small items that are stored individually, so easier to retrieve and can be carried easily by hand. Shelving units are generally made out of metal, it has shelves and just sit on the ground. Racking is generally used in the warehouse for storing heavy loads. The goods may be on pallets so loading and unloading may require a forklift or other equipment. Racking systems are constructed in several bays to support heavier loads and in order to increase the stability, most racking systems are anchored to the ground. Racking systems use wire mesh decking, deck supports or GI decking as shelves. Sometimes racking systems do not have any shelves at all.
So, even with these clear differences, it is common for shelving and racking systems to exist in the same warehouse. A good combination of racking and shelving in the same warehouse will allow the business to optimize the space and improve efficiency while storing and moving products.