Widespan Shelving

Tool-Free Widespan Shelving Systems

RACKsteel stocks Metalware widespan shelving systems — engineered industrial steel storage solutions made from high-quality cold-rolled steel that eliminate the need for nuts, bolts, or specialized tools during assembly. Designed specifically for hand-loading applications where standard shelving is too small and pallet racking is too large, these versatile shelving units provide high-quality storage performance while significantly reducing installation time and labour costs by up to 30-40% compared to traditional bolted shelving systems.

Widespan shelving is ideal for facilities requiring adjustable storage for heavy, bulky, or oversized items with quick setup and reconfiguration in an upright position without requiring additional floor space. This system features high-strength components designed for spans up to 96” wide. Systems can be utilized as individual shelving units or expanded into large arrays, high-bay systems (reaching up to 34 feet), and multi-level structures such as mezzanines and raised platforms for dense storage layouts. They’re suitable for warehouses, distribution centers, parts rooms, maintenance areas, records archives, and commercial storage environments where durability and adaptability are priorities.

For technical guidance on widespan shelving solutions tailored to your storage requirements, contact a member of our team today.

Components

FRAME CONNECTOR
- Connect posts from front to back.

POST
- 12-gauge roll-formed post with 2” slots for easy height adjustability.

FOOT PLATES
- Anchor the units to the floor.

BEAMS
- The main shelf support of the system.
- 2” profile beams made of 13-gauge steel
- available in a variety of widths and weight capacities.

TIE BARS
- Avoid the buckling of longer beams.
- Placed between the two beams, they also increase the capacity of the shelf level.

SHELF TYPE OPTIONS
- Available in steel, wire mesh, and wood*.
- *A minimum of 5/8” industrial grade particle wood, cut to nominal dimensions.

Widespan Shelving Stock Sizes

Posts:	96″ High
Frame Connector:	18″, 24″ Deep
Beam:	48″, 72″, 84″, 96″ Long*
Paneling:	solid-core wood panels, finished with laminate, cut to size

Units are available in 12″, 15″, 16″, 18″, 24″, 30″, 32″, 36″, 42″, and 48″ deep on special orders.

* Triangular tie bars for 84″ and 96″ beams only.

Widespan Shelving Configurations

RACKsteel supplies standard and custom widespan shelving configurations utilizing Metalware’s robust Interlok or E-Series architecture. Customizable features include:

Tool-free assembly design with heavy-duty beams and 14-gauge structural uprights
Adjustable shelf levels in 1” or 2” increments for maximum adjustability
Choice of shelf decking, including 20-gauge steel box shelves, wire mesh decking, or wood panels
Available in depths up to 48” and widths up to 96” for large-volume storage
Scalable arrays and multi-bay configurations, including high-density high-bay options
Optional integrated modular drawers (supporting up to 450 lbs) and bin dividers
Factory-welded end panels and pre-punched back panels for rapid installation

Widespan shelving systems are designed to maximize usable vertical space and facilitate efficient access to materials without supplemental hardware during initial build or reconfiguration.

Applications

Widespan shelving systems are deployed across a broad range of industrial and commercial storage applications, including:

Warehouse inventory and order fulfillment storage
Parts and components storage in manufacturing and agricultural facilities
Retail distribution and back-of-house stock organization
eCommerce pick, pack, and ship operations
Records and archive storage environments
Modular shelving arrays in multi-bay layouts
3PL (Third Party Logistics) and oversized equipment storage
Tire and automotive parts distribution

These systems are particularly effective where rapid layout changes, adjustable storage profiles, and flexible organization are required to support evolving operational needs.

Assembly and Installation Support

RACKsteel offers coordinated delivery and assembly support for widespan shelving systems. These services are intended to reduce setup time and ensure proper system configuration and anchoring where required. The heavy-duty beam-to-frame connection provides superior rigidity and structural integrity for high-capacity applications.

Services may include:

Shelving frame and beam assembly
Beam level adjustment
Floor anchoring, where applicable
Basic layout configuration support
Design and layout assistance, including line drawings and renderings

Widespan shelving typically does not require engineered drawings or stamped calculations; however, proper installation is recommended to ensure safe assembly under heavy loading conditions.

For assembly or delivery support, contact a RACKsteel representative.

Request a Widespan Shelving Solution

To begin a widespan shelving project, submit a request with your facility details, material types, load requirements, and operational constraints. A RACKsteel representative will review the application and provide technical guidance, system recommendations, layout optimization, pricing and lead-time estimates.