Heavy duty industrial shelving can be used in a wide range of business applications. It is also very useful for home projects. However, some of the finest shelving units can be extremely expensive and there is no need to spend a great deal of money. In fact, you can use tubing and tubing connectors to save time and much of the expense. Here are some helpful tips for creating durable and attractive shelving for a wide range of uses.
What are Industrial Shelves?
Shelving units are very handy and useful and many people use them in the home today. For example, you can purchase inexpensive units made to fit over a toilet in the bathroom to provide more storage and space. Industrial shelving serves the same basic purpose but is designed for commercial use where heavy objects often need to be stored or displayed.
Commercial shelving units are made to hold up to heavy duty applications and are usually made from steel or strong aluminum. They are also designed to function with little maintenance requirements to make it easier on businesses.
Industrial shelving is portable so it is easy to put up and take down. There is usually no need for welding components and units with quick connect fasteners are preferred. This lessens the time it takes to install and remove.
Why Choose Aluminum?
Some industrial shelving is made with galvanized or black iron pipe and some are created with steel panels. However, aluminum tubing and tubing connectors may be the best choice for several reasons:
Corrosion resistance – aluminum has a natural resistance to rust. On the other hand, steel or iron rusts easily so you need to make sure the materials are painted or powder coated. This can sometimes require regular maintenance.
Color selections – in the past, aluminum offered few selections for colors. However, thanks to modern anodizing methods, a wide range of bright and vibrant colors and finishes are available. Plus, these finishes are permanent and there is no maintenance required.
Weight – aluminum is much lighter than steel. Your commercial shelving units will be strong and also easy to move about when needed.
Stronger than plastic – although plastic comes in many colors and is light in weight, most plastics cannot match the strength of aluminum alloy. In addition, plastic can crack under stress and has a much lower melting point than aluminum.
When you choose aluminum tubing and tubing connectors for your shelving, you will enjoy your units for many years to come.