Your outdoor shelving and pallet racks are exposed to rain, snow, UV rays and road salt. Hot-dip galvanising protects against corrosion, guarantees safety and extends the service life to over 20 years. Hot-dip galvanising is essential to ensure the durability and safety of outdoor shelving.
This article explains why shelving and pallet racks intended for outdoor use must be galvanised, what the risks are if they are not treated, and what concrete advantages hot-dip galvanising offers.
- Outdoor shelving: highly exposed structures
Shelving installed outdoors is constantly exposed to harsh conditions:
- Rain, snow and constant humidity
- Freezing and thawing cycles
- UV rays
- Industrial and atmospheric pollution
- Stagnant water on the ground
- Snow-melting salts and corrosive agents
These conditions significantly accelerate the onset of corrosion on the metal components of pallet racks. Unprotected outdoor shelving quickly begins to deteriorate, reducing its mechanical strength and service life.
- Risks of using non-galvanised pallet racks outdoors
Corrosion is the main danger for outdoor shelving and pallet racks. Without proper treatment, steel rusts as soon as it is exposed to moisture and oxygen.
Corrosion can lead to:
- A gradual loss of load capacity
- Deformation or buckling of the uprights
- The perforation of certain metal components
- An increased risk of the pallet rack collapsing
- A general weakening of the structure
- A risk to personnel
- Non-compliance with company safety obligations
A corroded pallet rack or shelving no longer offers the necessary guarantees for safe storage, even if the corrosion appears to be superficial.
- Why choose hot-dip galvanising for outdoor shelving?
Hot-dip galvanising involves immersing the metal components of the shelving in a bath of molten zinc. This process creates a particularly resistant protective layer.
The advantages of hot-dip galvanising:
- Very long-lasting corrosion protection
- Uniform zinc coating on the inside and outside of the profiles
- Resistance to impact and friction
- Self-protection of the zinc (galvanic protection)
- Durability exceeding 20 or 30 years depending on the environment
- No major maintenance required
Galvanisation is currently the most reliable and effective treatment for extending the service life of pallet racking intended for outdoor use.
- Advantages of galvanised pallet racking for outdoor storage
Galvanised shelving has several major advantages:
Weather resistance
Galvanisation effectively protects the rack against moisture, frost and climatic variations.
Extended service life
Galvanised shelving retains its mechanical performance for several decades.
Enhanced safety
The structure remains strong and reliable, even when exposed to the elements for long periods of time.
Reduced overall cost
Despite a higher initial investment, galvanisation prevents premature repairs or replacements.
Compliance with best industry practices
Galvanised outdoor shelving complies with industrial safety and storage recommendations.
- Outdoor racking: common mistakes to avoid
To ensure the safety and durability of your outdoor pallet racks, there are certain mistakes you should avoid:
- Using painted or unprotected racking outdoors
- Mixing galvanised and non-galvanised components
- Using fasteners that are not treated against corrosion
- Installing shelving without drainage (risk of standing water)
- Not regularly checking the condition of the uprights
A pallet rack is safety equipment: it must remain in perfect condition to ensure the stability of the entire installation.
- Examples of uses for galvanised racks
Galvanised shelving is particularly suitable for:
- Outdoor pallet storage
- Construction material depots
- Sawmills and timber companies
- Industrial sites
- Warehouses with outdoor yards
- Agriculture, horticulture and business parks
In these environments, galvanised racks are the most durable and secure solution.
- CORNIX: galvanised pallet racks and outdoor shelving
CORNIX designs, manufactures and installs galvanised shelving and pallet racks suitable for the most demanding outdoor environments.
Our installations offer:
- Hot-dip galvanisation in accordance with industry standards, ideal for areas with high exposure (weather, corrosive atmospheres, long-term storage).
- Sendzimir galvanised uprights (continuous galvanisation), with a thinner zinc coating than hot-dip galvanisation, offering corrosion protection suitable for many outdoor environments while being more economical.
- A robust design optimised for each project (loads, environment, operating constraints).
- High mechanical strength and exceptional durability of the shelving.
- Installation carried out by qualified professionals.
- The reliability of an experienced Belgian manufacturer.
CORNIX also supports its customers with load studies, installation maintenance and safety inspections to ensure the compliance and performance of the shelving throughout its lifetime.
Conclusion
For any outdoor installation, hot-dip galvanising is not an option: it is a necessity. It provides long-lasting protection for shelving and pallet racks against corrosion, ensures their safety and significantly extends their service life.
Choosing galvanised shelving means investing in a robust, reliable installation that meets the requirements of outdoor storage.
Contact Cornix for a free quote for your galvanised shelving and pallet racks or find our products on the dedicated pages.