Shelving in retail shops is central to the process of making the products for sale stand out and there and get noticed above all the competition. There is often no need to splash out on brand new shelving, which can be very costly, when cheap shelving or second hand shelving can perform the role just as admirably. Obviously, if a company’s budget can stretch to the purchase of brand new shelving units for their retail outlets then this is clearly the best choice, but cheap shelving units are a much more economically viable option for those businesses that are endeavouring to keep their costs to a minimum. Cheap shelving will likely emerge as the storage unit of choice for the majority of retailers in 2010, as the credit crunch takes its time in subsiding and cutting outgoings  remains of paramount importance. As a business trying to keep costs down, or even a home owner looking for the least expensive option, cheap shelving might just be one of the answers to some of the pressing financial troubles.

Cheap shelving – Choosing shelving to suit a particular industry

Types of cheap shelving can include: zinc wire shelving, galvanised steel shelving, melamine shelving, document storage shelving and plastic shelving. The choice of shelving will be dictated by the sort of stock that the retail outlet displays but, regardless of the industry, it is possible to find an array of cheap shelving units that more than cope with the storage and space requirements.

It is paramount that adequate support for the stored materials is used in the construction of shelves. For example, if the shelving is made from 3/4-inch-thick particleboard, it should not span more than 19 inches without support. Medium-density fibreboard shelves of the same thickness need support every 21 inches. Plywood or pine boards can span up to 34 inches.

If sturdier, more robust shelves are required, choose metal systems with two rows of holes in the vertical standards—they support about twice as much weight as single-track racks, and brackets mount to them more securely. Although manufacturers sometimes suggest installing the top rail and then hanging the standards from it, a shelving system will support more weight if the standards are attached to wall studs. Doing so can increase the system’s weight tolerance up to 600 lbs. per standard.

Overhead shelves are great for storing lightweight items that would otherwise take up a lot of space, such as sleeping bags. With ladder brackets installed for extra support, the shelving itself can be very lightweight.

A well-built tool chest is an effectual means to store tools and yet keep them handy. Clearly label the storage place of each tool to keep the garage organized for months to come.

Formaldehyde can also be released over time in low concentrations; not everyone is affected, but some people can be adversely affected by just having a piece of MDF in a room (this is very rare.)

MDF can be finished using paint to suit the surrounding décor or it can just be sealed with an appropriate varnish. Use 18mm MDF as a minimum and support shelves at no greater than 500mm centres for all but the lightest of loads. Or 25mm MDF with supports no greater than 700mm apart.

Glass shelves

Glass can be attractive shelving for use with light loads and many DIY stores stock pre-cut glass shelving either on its own or as part of a complete shelving kit (complete with brackets, plugs and screws) – special brackets are available for glass shelving, they have clips and lips to hold the glass in place. The glass is specially toughened so cannot be cut to size, if ‘non-standard’ sizes are required, go to a glazing merchant where it can be cut to size and then toughened. Never use ordinary window glass.

Material selection is an important step in deciding about your specific shelving solution.

Plain chipboard – non laminated chipboard is the cheapest and weakest material for sturdy shelving and is generally considered unsuitable for shelving as the finish is poor.

Laminated chipboard is cheaper than solid timber and comes in a number of different types of veneer. It is not as strong as solid timber and will tend to sag except under a very light load. It is best to use 12mm chipboard as a minimum and support the shelf at no greater than 300mm centres for all but the lightest of loads. An alternative is to use 18mm chipboard with supports no greater than 700mm apart.

Block-board

This type of material is stronger than chipboard and is less likely to sag. It is easy to work with and can be finished using paint; the edges will probably need to be covered with a trim to hide the different strips. Use 18mm thickness as a minimum and support the shelf at no greater than 700mm centres for all but the lightest of loads.

Plywood

Plywood is stronger than laminated chipboard and this makes it less likely to sag. It is easy to work with and can be given finishing touches using paint; the edges will probably need to be covered with a trim to hide the different layers that make up the plywood. It is a good idea to use 18mm thickness as a minimum and support the shelf at no greater than 700mm centres for all but the lightest of loads.

Choosing the right material for your specific requirements is essential in getting your shelving act off the ground.