7 Things To Keep In Mind When Buying Racks And Shelves
Closets are a great way to store your things, but when you want your stuff within a hand’s reach, and want to be able to see them all the time (for example in the garage), racks and shelves are a much better option. However, you can’t just walk into Speedy Shelving and buy whatever you like – there are many elements you must take into consideration.
For example:
Room space
What do you plan on placing on that rack, or shelf system? Will you keep only your books there, or maybe your tools as well? Whatever you plan on holding there, make sure you have enough space on the racking to fit everything. You don’t want to buy something too small for what you originally intended it for.
Wall space
Do you have any paintings or windows on the walls where you’d want to put your rack? Keep that in mind, but also pay attention to the doors – which way do they open? Will the rack get in the way?
Height
Certain garages and basements have a low ceiling – less than two meters in height. On the other hand, there are shelve systems which are much, much taller than that – make sure you take the proper measurements before deciding on a purchase.
Weight
This is by far the most important aspect you must consider before making any purchase. Think about what the racking or shelve systems would be used for – tools? Books? Car parts? Whatever the answer may be, make sure your shelve system can withstand the weight. Ask around before buying, every system has a weight maximum.
Lights
If you’re looking for a racking system as means of decoration, think about where your lights are. A shelving system can be a great way to decorate a room, but without proper lighting it will never live up to its full potential. Rather go for an opened-rack style where light can penetrate all the way through.
Price
“I’m not rich enough to buy cheap stuff”, said a wise man once, and I usually live by this mantra. But that doesn’t have to be the case with everyone else. Prices of shelving systems and racks differ, in relation to the manufacturer and the materials used. Don’t be discouraged if your preferred shelving system is too expensive – there are cheaper variants out there.
Availability
If you’re shopping online, like most of us do nowadays, make sure you double-check if the retailer ships to your hometown and / or address. Shipping prices to some parts of the world are so high, it could be more expensive to get the rack than to buy it. However, many manufacturers offer their products on more than one retailer, with different shipping options, so make sure to check out each one. Buying a shelf system or a rack requires careful consideration and some time and effort invested. Make sure you know what you’ll use the rack for, how much space you have in the room you’ll place it in, and how much weight it must carry. Also make sure your retailer can ship to wherever you live.
