| Steel is a popular choice for a shelving material | | | | chemicals? Steel shelves are generally rated for a |
| because of its long life, durability, and ability to | | | | specific amount of weight (on each shelf, not the |
| hold up under heavy loads. However, not all steel | | | | whole unit) and may bend or warp if too much is |
| storage shelves are created alike. A quick trip to | | | | put on them. Some things are much heavier than |
| your local hardware store will tell you that right | | | | you may think, like clay or plaster, so be sure you |
| away. Steel shelves come in a range of prices, | | | | know what you need to buy in advance. |
| recommended loads, finishes and sizes. The sheer | | | | If you'll need to move the shelves in the future, |
| variety of options can be bewildering, especially | | | | look at how they're constructed. You'll need to |
| when all you wanted was a simple storage shelf | | | | assemble almost all types of steel shelving when |
| for your garage. Here's a look at some of your | | | | you get it home, but some are easier to take |
| options, as well as a few of the things you should | | | | apart and reassemble than others. The |
| look at. | | | | mechanism these shelves use could seriously |
| First, think about the amount of space you have | | | | affect how easy your next move or garage |
| to fill. Don't just eyeball or estimate this space. | | | | reorganization project ends up being. Will you have |
| Take a tape measure and find out exactly what | | | | help assembling the shelves, or do you need to |
| you have to work with before you go to the | | | | get something one person can put together. How |
| store or place an order online. That will keep you | | | | heavy is the entire unit once assembled? |
| from ending up with a shelf that's just a fraction | | | | Finish is important, as well. Some of the cheaper |
| of an inch too big in one or more dimensions. No | | | | models on the market may have a painted or |
| one wants to have to deal with this problem | | | | galvanized finish, but this should be avoided. After |
| when they're installing new storage shelving, after | | | | all, this type of finish may peel or corrode off |
| all. | | | | over time, exposing the steel underneath to rust. |
| Next, think about what you need to store. Will | | | | A better choice is enamel or powder coated finish. |
| you mostly be storing lightweight things, like | | | | While these can be removed over time, as well, |
| boxes of Christmas lights and decorations, or will | | | | they're much harder to damage and will last |
| you be using these shelves to hold your welding | | | | longer. That ensures shelves that will look good |
| equipment, sculpting materials, or cleaning | | | | and hold up much longer. |