Roofing supply yards face unique storage challenges. The inventory is a mix of extremely heavy palletized goods like shingles, long and awkward materials like metal flashing, and bulky rolls of underlayment. Standard pallet racking with its front-facing beams creates obstructions, making it inefficient and unsafe for handling these items. The ideal solution, used by industry leaders, is the cantilever rack.

A photograph showing the installation of cantilever pallet racks at Defense Maritime Solutions' warehouse, illustrating the robust structure and spacious rack design.

What is a Cantilever Rack? Understanding the Components

Unlike standard pallet racks, a cantilever rack is an open-faced storage system without vertical obstructions in the front. This design is achieved through its unique components:

  • Base: A heavy steel base anchors the entire system to the floor and acts as the primary source of stability. It extends out from the upright to support the load’s weight.

  • Upright Towers (or Columns): These are the vertical steel columns that connect to the base. The height of the tower determines the vertical storage capacity of the system.

  • Arms: These are the horizontal, load-bearing arms that extend from the upright tower to hold the product. They can be adjusted up and down the tower to accommodate different load heights. Arms can be straight or inclined to hold loose or round items securely.

  • Bracing: Steel braces connect the upright towers to one another, providing rigidity and stability along the length of the rack system.

This component-based system creates long, uninterrupted shelves perfect for the diverse inventory of a roofing supplier. For a general overview, you can explore our main cantilever pallet racking page.

Explore Custom Solutions Today!

Transform your storage capabilities with our durable and versatile cantilever pallet racks. Perfect for organizing and accessing your roofing supplies with ease. Contact us now to learn more and customize your solution!

Two metal cantilever racks are shown. The top rack is empty with orange arms and blue supports. The bottom rack holds colorful metal beams and square tubes on its shelves. Both are used for industrial storage.

Storing Specific Roofing Supplies on Cantilever Racks

Cantilever racks are versatile enough to handle nearly every item in a roofing yard.

  • Shingles and Tiles: Pallets of heavy shingles and tiles can be placed directly on the cantilever arms. The arm capacity must be specified to handle this concentrated weight.

  • Metal Flashing, Edging, and Trim: Long pieces of metal are the perfect items for cantilever storage. They can be stored flat in long bundles, preventing bending or damage while remaining fully accessible.

  • Lumber and Trusses: Many roofing jobs require structural lumber or small trusses. Cantilever racks provide the ideal open space to store these long wood products.

  • Rolls of Underlayment and Tar Paper: Large, heavy rolls can be cradled securely on the arms, often with “pipe saddle” accessories or by using inclined arms to prevent them from rolling off.

  • Insulation and Adhesives: Bulky bags of insulation and pallets of adhesive buckets can be stored on the arms, often with wire decking placed on top to create a solid shelf surface.

What Roofing Supplies Can Be Stored on Cantilever Pallet Racks?

Cantilever pallet racks are perfect for storing a wide range of roofing supplies. Here’s a list of items typically stored on these racks:

Shingles

Various types of shingles can be easily organized and accessed.

Tar Paper

Store rolls of tar paper neatly on the racks.

Edging and Flashing

Keep metal edging and flashing materials in place.

Sheet Metal

Store large sheets of metal without hassle.

Tiles

Different roofing tiles can be securely stacked.

Insulation Materials

Keep insulation products dry and organized.

Adhesives

Store buckets and containers of adhesives conveniently.

Our experts are ready to help you find the best storage solutions for your roofing supplies. Schedule a free consultation today and see how cantilever pallet racks can streamline your operations and increase efficiency.

Why Cantilever Racks are the Ideal Solution for Roofing Materials

Switching to cantilever racking addresses the most significant pain points in a roofing supply yard.

Unobstructed Access for
Long and Bulky Items

The most significant advantage is the lack of a front column. This allows forklifts to easily load and unload long materials like metal edging, flashing, lumber, and trusses without needing to maneuver around an obstruction. This speeds up operations and significantly reduces the risk of product damage.

Improved Inventory Organization
and Accessibility

By dedicating specific arms or entire racks to certain product categories, you can create a highly organized yard. This visual management makes it easier for staff to locate materials, conduct inventory counts, and quickly load customer or delivery trucks.

High Load Capacity for Heavy Pallets

Cantilever systems are engineered for heavy-duty applications. The arms and uprights are designed to safely support the substantial weight of palletized shingles, bundles of tiles, and buckets of adhesive, which can quickly exceed the capacity of standard shelving.

Reduced Product Damage

Storing long materials on the ground or in inefficient stacks leads to damage from moisture, dirt, and impacts. Elevating these products on cantilever arms keeps them clean, straight, and protected, preserving their value and usability.

Medium Duty Cantilever Rack

Case Study: Metal Man Roofing in Utah

Metal Man Roofing, a prominent contractor with three locations in Utah, faced significant storage challenges. Their yard was disorganized, leading to slow loading times and product damage. They needed a robust solution that could handle heavy loads and withstand Utah’s weather. We designed and installed a heavy-duty, galvanized cantilever rack system. The result was a dramatic improvement in organization and efficiency. Truck loading times were cut significantly, product damage was virtually eliminated, and their overall storage capacity increased, allowing them to meet installation demands more effectively.

How to Design a Cantilever Rack System for Your Roofing Yard

A successful implementation starts with a well-thought-out design that matches your inventory and space.

  • Analyze Your Inventory: The first step is to document the weight, length, and depth of the materials you need to store. The heaviest and longest items will determine the core specifications of your system.

  • Determine Arm Specifications: Based on your inventory, you will need to specify the arm capacity, length, and style (straight or inclined). It is crucial to select an arm capacity that can safely handle your heaviest load.

A green and orange cantilever rack stands against a white wall, featuring several horizontal arms for shelving. The logo Material Handling USA is displayed in the top left corner.
Industrial metal shelving unit with green vertical supports and orange horizontal beams. The unit is placed against a light-colored wall in a warehouse setting. A logo reading Material Handling USA is visible in the top corner.
  • Calculate Upright Height and Spacing: The height of your uprights will depend on your ceiling height (for indoor systems) and forklift reach. The spacing between uprights is determined by the length and flexibility of your stored materials.

  • Consider Indoor vs. Outdoor Use: Many roofing yards have outdoor storage. For these applications, a hot-dipped galvanized finish is essential to protect the steel from rust and corrosion. Standard painted racks are suitable for indoor use only.

  • Plan for Safety and Compliance: A properly designed system is a safe system. This includes ensuring the concrete slab can handle the anchor loads and designing the system to meet local building codes, especially for pallet rack seismic compliance in regions like Utah. Always follow established 7 Essential Pallet Rack Safety Guidelines for Warehouses.

Why Choose Us?

Over 30 Years Of Experience

We design and install the right storage solutions for your specific needs

Custom
Options

We offer a range of customizable options to meet your unique needs

Customer Satisfaction

We are committed to excellent service and support, ensuring satisfaction with every purchase

Competitive Pricing

We offers competitive pricing, making it easy to find a solution that fits any budget

How It Works

Experience the streamlined process of Material Handling USA’s Warehouse Solutions, guiding you from consultation to implementation with personalized solutions and ongoing support.

mh-usa process

Say goodbye to cluttered and inefficient storage. Upgrade to cantilever pallet racks and enjoy organized, easily accessible roofing supplies. Contact us now to start your upgrade.

FAQs

They are ideal for storing long, bulky items such as lumber, sheet metal, and roofing materials.

Yes, they can be tailored to your specific height and weight requirements.

Absolutely, they are designed to handle heavy loads and withstand rigorous use.

Tate W. Curtis

Space Coordinator, United States Department of Agriculture

The Team provided a highly professional service from start to finish.

“ They always available for meetings and questions, firsts, in figuring out what system would work best for our needs then by assessinh how much shelving space would be required for our existing as well as future needs, and , finally, by insuring the timely delivery and quality installation of the product. ”

Sharon L. Hancey

First District TCE of Administrative Office of the Courts

The team was very supportive

“ They were extremely attentive in assessing our needs in Logan. They provided several plans to show us our shelving options. ”

Julie Froff

Assistant Clerck of
Third District Court

We Also appreciated, at the time of installation, the courteous and professional manner in which the installers conducted themselves.

“ We have been using the system now for about six moths and are happy to report that it has been a wonderful addition to our office. It is easy to operate and keeps our filing area neat and organized, and most importanly, providers us with unlemited space for growth at this time. We are completely satisfied with your product. ”

Lila Abersold

Visual Arts Coorndinator of Utah Arts Council

They were also great to work with.

“ The track and system Material Handling USA recently installed is working very well Your isntallation people were able to adjust the tracks on the uneven floor in our storage space. ”

Nancy Herd

Human Resources Manager of Ray Quinney & Nebeker

You guys are great! Thanks so much for working so hard to getus into our new space.

“ Thank you a million times for the these killer Jazz tickets! I am just so excited to go and rub shoulders with every other "pretentious" person in Material Handling USA! How Awesome! ”


.

Join the Revolution!

Need a specific height or weight capacity? Our cantilever pallet racks can be customized to fit your exact requirements. Get in touch with us to design the perfect storage solution for your roofing materials.

Material Hanling USA – Pallet Rack Specifications

NationWide Shelving offers high-quality, tear-drop design pallet racks compatible with major manufacturers such as Interlake, Space Rack, USP, Lodi Metal-Tech, Steel King, and Husky.

Key Features & Specifications

  • Uprights:

    • Regular Duty: 16-gauge steel, 16,100 lbs. capacity per upright.
    • Heavy Duty: 14-gauge steel, 23,300 lbs. capacity per upright.
    • New 3” x 3” column design with 5” x 8” seismic base plates for stability.
    • Bolt-together design allows easy replacement of damaged components.
  • Beams:

    • Improved safety clip for easy replacement.
    • Adjustable every 2 inches for flexibility.
    • 3.5”, 4”, and 5” beams use 3-pin connectors, 6” beams use 4-pin connectors.
  • Decking Options:

    • Wire Mesh Decking: Reduces dust, improves light circulation, and increases sprinkler efficiency.
    • Steel Safety Supports: Provide extra reinforcement for pallets and hand-stacking applications.
  • Accessories:

    • Bay Dividers: Vertical organization with easy installation.
    • Frame Guards: Protect rack columns with heavy-duty steel construction.
    • Label Holders: Adhesive and magnetic holders for quick relabeling.

Installation & Durability

  • Designed for forklift access and heavy-duty hand stacking.
  • Available assembled or K.D. (knocked down) for flexible shipping.
  • High-visibility color-coded system: Light green uprights, orange beams.