Introduction

When it comes to storing long, bulky, or irregular materials, traditional pallet racks often reach their limits. Pallet racks are designed for uniform loads on pallets, not for materials like lumber, steel, or furniture that vary in shape and length.

That’s where cantilever racking systems shine. Built with open fronts, adjustable arms, and no vertical obstructions, cantilever racks provide flexibility, accessibility, and safety for materials that don’t fit neatly on pallets.

At SJF Material Handling, we’ve designed and installed hundreds of cantilever systems for operations nationwide. Below, we’ll explore five real-world applications where cantilever racks clearly outperform pallet racks — and why choosing the right system matters.

1. Lumber and Building Materials

Challenge: Lumber, plywood, drywall, and trim boards are long, heavy, and rarely uniform. Pallet racks with vertical posts make it difficult to load and unload without damage.

Why Cantilever Wins

  • Open-front design allows easy side loading with forklifts.
  • Adjustable arm spacing accommodates mixed product sizes.
  • Double-sided racks can store a high volume of materials in limited space.
  • Optional decked arms provide support for sheet goods or smaller items.

Typical Use Cases: Lumberyards, construction supply distributors, and home improvement centers.

2. Pipe, Tubing, and Bar Stock

Challenge: Metal and plastic pipe, conduit, and bar stock can be extremely long and heavy, creating a hazard if not supported evenly.

Why Cantilever Wins

  • Arms can be positioned to support loads every few feet to reduce deflection.
  • Structural steel construction handles high point loads.
  • Open design allows bundles to be lifted directly off the rack by crane or forklift.
  • Systems can be designed to handle mixed lengths and diameters on the same row.

Typical Use Cases: Steel service centers, plumbing distributors, and metal fabrication shops.

3. Furniture and Home Goods

Challenge: Sofas, mattresses, and cabinetry are bulky and often non-uniform in shape. Stacking them on pallets wastes space and increases product damage.

Why Cantilever Wins

  • Wide, unobstructed storage levels for oversized products.
  • Ability to adjust arm heights to fit large or irregular shapes.
  • Softer arm covers or decking reduce surface damage.
  • Easier access for manual or powered material handling.

Typical Use Cases: Furniture warehouses, retail distribution centers, and cabinetry manufacturers.

4. Sheet Products and Flat Goods

Challenge: Materials like sheet metal, particle board, and glass panels require flat, even support — something standard pallet racking can’t easily provide.

Why Cantilever Wins

  • Decked cantilever arms can create custom “shelves” for stacking flat products.
  • Arms can be spaced closely to prevent bending or edge chipping.
  • Horizontal layout makes it easy to identify and retrieve specific sheets.
  • Optional roll-out bases or mobile racks increase accessibility.

Typical Use Cases: Millwork operations, metal shops, and sign manufacturers.

5. Automotives, Equipment, and Miscellaneous Bulk Storage

Challenge: Heavy or irregular components like axles, engines, and machinery don’t fit neatly on pallets and are often too large for boxed storage.

Why Cantilever Wins

  • Open design allows oversized items to extend beyond the arms safely.
  • Arms can be custom-welded or reinforced for extra strength.
  • System height and arm spacing can be adjusted to store mixed parts.
  • Ideal for staging parts near production lines or maintenance bays.

Typical Use Cases: Automotive parts suppliers, equipment rebuilders, and MRO facilities.

When to Choose Cantilever Over Pallet Racking

If you’re storing long, bulky, or irregular products, cantilever racks offer superior accessibility, safer handling, and higher space utilization than pallet racking. They’re especially effective when product size changes frequently or when rapid side loading is required.

SJF Material Handling’s engineering team can help determine which system best fits your products, forklift types, and warehouse layout — ensuring optimal performance and compliance with ANSI MH16.3 design standards.

Conclusion

Every warehouse is unique — and so are its storage challenges. When pallet racks fall short, cantilever racks provide the flexibility and strength to safely handle products that defy standard storage systems.

At SJF Material Handling, we help clients identify the best racking solution for their specific material profiles, operational flow, and future growth needs. Whether it’s lumber, pipe, or furniture, SJF can design, supply, and install a custom cantilever system that performs for decades.