Lumber Storage Rack – Rack Builder

What is a Lumber Storage Rack?

A lumber storage rack for a warehouse is a cantilever rack designed to store long, bulky lumber materials like dimensional lumber, timber beams, plywood and sheet goods, hardwood, and wood products. It features sturdy vertical uprights with adjustable horizontal arms that support the lumber, providing easy access and flexibility in storage. The racks are constructed from heavy-duty steel for durability and are often anchored to the floor for stability and safety in high-capacity warehouses.

A lumber storage rack can accommodate various types of lumber, including:

1. Dimensional Lumber: Standard-sized, pre-cut wood like 2x4s, 2x6s, and 4x4s used in construction.
2. Timber Beams: Larger, heavier wooden beams used in framing, bridges, and heavy-duty construction.
3. Plywood and Sheet Goods: Flat, wide sheets like plywood, MDF, and particleboard.
4. Hardwood: Premium woods like oak, maple, or cherry used in furniture and cabinetry.
5. Engineered Wood Products: Laminated veneer lumber (LVL), oriented strand board (OSB), and other man-made wood products.

These racks are highly versatile for storing both raw and processed wood materials.

Cantilever Lumber Rack Specifications

What does a lumber rack consist of?

Uprights (Vertical Columns): The vertical posts that provide height and support for the lumber storage levels.

Arms: Horizontal beams extending from the uprights designed to hold the lumber. These arms can be adjusted to different heights depending on the size of the material being stored.

Bracing: Horizontal and diagonal braces that connect the uprights, providing stability and strength to the overall structure. We offer X-type since they are the most common.

End Stops (Optional): Barriers at the ends of arms to prevent lumber from sliding off.

Single Sided or Double Sided Wood Storage Racks

Single-sided cantilever racking for lumber has arms on one side and is typically placed against a wall, which is ideal for saving space in narrow areas. Double-sided racks have arms on both sides, allowing for free-standing placement and higher storage capacity. While single-sided racks are suited for limited spaces, double-sided racks maximize storage efficiency in larger, open warehouse areas. Here at Speedrack West, we provide both types of heavy-duty wood storage racks.

Outdoor Lumber Storage

The rack is made from weather-resistant materials like galvanized or stainless steel, which can resist rust and corrosion from moisture and changing temperatures. To prevent water pooling and wood from sitting in moisture, these racks have built-in slats or perforations that allow for proper drainage.

Open designs also promote airflow to reduce the likelihood of mold or rot developing on the lumber. These racks are typically elevated off the ground to prevent direct contact with soil, water, or snow. This keeps the lumber dry and reduces the risk of moisture damage.

A rack for lumber storage should be anchored to concrete plates to provide stability during wind or storms.

Custom outdoor lumber racks might include UV-resistant coatings that protect both the metal structure and the stored lumber from sun damage.

Example of Racking Dimensions & Capacity Shown in Photo