Warehouse aisle with industrial racking systems

Cantilever Rack Systems

Purpose-built storage for oversized and irregular materials like lumber, pipe, steel, and more.

The Go-To Solution for Long and Bulky Inventory

Cantilever racking is designed for loads that don’t fit on standard pallets. Lumber, pipe, steel bar, tubing, plywood sheets, and furniture all require unobstructed front access and adjustable arm spacing that conventional pallet rack simply can’t provide.

A well-configured cantilever rack system eliminates the safety hazards and wasted space that come with floor-stacking long materials. It keeps inventory organized, accessible from one side with a forklift, and stored at heights that maximize your available square footage. Warehouse Cubed supplies cantilever rack for warehouse, yard, and manufacturing environments in both new and used configurations, with design, delivery, and professional installation available nationwide.

Cantilever rack system installation for long loads in a warehouse

How Cantilever Rack Systems Are Configured

Every cantilever installation starts with a few core design decisions. Getting these right upfront ensures the system handles your heaviest loads safely and uses your available space efficiently.

Column (upright) height and base

Column height is driven by your clear ceiling height indoors or practical stacking limits outdoors. Bases can be single-sided (against a wall) or double-sided (freestanding in an aisle) depending on your layout and access needs.

Arm length and capacity

Arms are the horizontal supports that hold your material. Common arm lengths range from 24 inches to 60 inches, with heavy-duty options extending beyond that for wider loads. Each arm is rated for a specific weight capacity, and arm spacing along the column is fully adjustable to match the size of your inventory.

Arm style

  • Straight arms for flat loads like lumber, sheet goods, and boxed furniture
  • Inclined (tilted) arms for round stock such as pipe, tube, and bar that could roll forward

Brace pattern and column spacing

Horizontal and diagonal bracing between columns provides lateral stability. Column spacing (the distance between uprights in a row) is determined by load length, weight distribution, and deflection limits.

Cantilever racking storing aluminum pipe and steel profiles in a warehouse
Cantilever rack with forklift loading long materials

Decking and Shelf Options

Not every cantilever application involves bare arms. Adding decking or shelf panels turns a cantilever system into a versatile platform for smaller items, mixed loads, or applications where materials need a flat resting surface.

Common decking choices

  • Steel deck panels for heavy, flat loads and outdoor exposure
  • Wire mesh decking for indoor applications where fire-code sprinkler flow and visibility are priorities
  • Wood or composite deck boards for lumber yards and light-duty shelving applications

Decking can be added at specific levels or across the entire system. Your Warehouse Cubed specialist will help you decide which levels need decking based on the materials you store and how your team loads and unloads them.

Cantilever racking consultation with a Warehouse Cubed specialist

Get a Quote for Your Cantilever Racking Project

Share your load details and facility specs and we will recommend the right system configuration and pricing.

Have this ready for the fastest quote

  • Facility address and delivery zip code
  • Indoor or outdoor installation (and whether galvanization is needed)
  • Material types, lengths, and maximum weight per arm
  • Available height and any overhead obstructions
  • Timeline and installation requirements

Frequently Asked Questions