Boltless shelving, also known as “rivet shelving,” is one of the most flexible types of shelving available in a warehouse.

Offering better durability and weight capacity when compared to other types of industrial shelving, boltless shelving can be expanded and reconfigured to accommodate a wide variety of items and inventory. Similar in a way to pallet racks, the decking on boltless shelves can be replaced and customized as needed, and the racks themselves can be expanded with add-on units (typically available as either double rivet shelving add-ons or single rivet shelving add-ons) to help offer more storage space and accommodate larger loads while still fitting within your available floor space.

Wondering how boltless shelving can help organize your warehouse, office, or workplace? Here’s a few of the more common uses for boltless shelving:

Boltless & Rivet Shelving: Where and How to Use It

Smaller warehouse spaces

Boltless shelving offers the combined advantages of being durable enough to store most goods, while taking up less space than other industrial shelving systems. Accordingly, a common placement for boltless shelving is in areas where larger shelves can’t fit, such as between racks or in corners, maximizing storage space without having to relocate existing installations.

Staging & picking areas

Due to the size and weight capacity of boltless shelving, a lot of warehouses use them to create staging and picking areas. Place rivet shelving in your picking area to help store items on their way to the packaging area, or place them near your loading dock to help keep items safe and organized before they move further into the warehouse - or directly out into the shipping area.

Tool/back of house storage

Businesses of any size need parts and equipment to get their jobs done, and boltless shelves give you the ability to store them. Back in your employee areas, boltless shelving can store the goods you need like PPE and power tools. Similarly, supplies that get used during the normal workday can find a home on these too; even something as bulky as spare tires can be stored on rivet tire storage racks.

Fragile goods

Conversely, more fragile/easily damaged goods can be stored on boltless shelves to keep them out of harm’s way. By installing boltless shelving in an out-of-the-way storage area, you can create a dedicated space for more fragile items that will (hopefully) reduce the risk of them being damaged during normal day-to-day activities throughout the workplace.

Office supplies & technology

You don’t have to run a warehouse to need boltless shelving. A common usage for these shelves in office or retail settings is to create a space that stores things like computer parts, tablets, and other technology in a safe, out-of-the-way spot that’s still accessible to anyone who might suddenly need a new keyboard. And if you ARE in a warehouse, they work great in a prefabricated industrial office.