Metal shelving for the garage: types of storage structures

As a rule, a garage is not only a parking place for a car. Most people store car accessories, various tools and some other items for which there is not enough space in the house. Most often, there are so many things for storage that it is impossible to find the desired item. It is in order to prevent clutter that metal shelving for the garage is used, which provides neat storage and convenient organization of all the necessary things.

This type of structure is the best for organizing the space in the garage. The racks are very strong, withstand a lot of weight, while being light in weight and easy to manage.

A big plus of metal shelving is ease of assembly, which saves time and, possibly, money, because you can assemble the structure yourself, without resorting to the help of a professional assembler. The ability to adjust the height of the shelves is also very convenient, and some models have the ability to even change the distance between the shelves, which greatly facilitates the process of placing things.

Another advantage of metal structures is their long service life. The racks, made of high-quality steel and coated with polymer paint, are completely resistant to the hanging level of moisture, temperature extremes and the effects of household chemicals or other means necessary for the car. Thanks to the above signs, they will serve you for more than a dozen years, even in damp garages without heating.

Thanks to these advantages, you can store all the most important car accessories in your garage. Metal racks were originally designed in such a way as to have several levels, each of which is designed to store certain items: tires, wheels, tools. It should be noted that car tires should be stored in a special way to ensure the longest possible service life. For example, tires without rims must lie horizontally, and tires with rims must be stored vertically.

With proper placement, even the smallest garage can be made an efficient storage place. There are several guidelines that will help you functionally arrange all the items. For example, the most bulky items should be placed on the lower shelves. Firstly, it will make it easier for you to get them, and secondly, they will not visually clutter up the space.

There are two types of metal structures for a garage: wall and floor. Wall-mounted models are fixed directly to the wall, hence they got their second name - wall-mounted. Most often, these racks are collapsible. If necessary, it will be easy enough to remove them and then fix them back. The big plus of these models is the easy and quick installation process.

During the installation of hinged structures, some nuances should be taken into accountto prevent possible inconvenience.This type is fixed exclusively on a load-bearing wall or a surface with very high strength. Otherwise, you risk getting not only a fallen rack that could not withstand a heavy load, but also a terrible mess in the garage, and broken or damaged things.

Another important point is the inability of the wall structures to support a lot of weight, which means that you will not be able to position heavy boxes on the top shelves. For many, these nuances can become a significant drawback, which is why such motorists are advised to pay attention to the second type - floor.

Such models are more popular among buyers, as they are more practical. As a rule, the floor type of shelving has a collapsible design, which can be easily done by hand. The big advantage of this type, as opposed to the hinged type, is the fact that the racks can support heavy weight.

There are several subspecies of floor structures, each of which has its own characteristics:

• wall;
• mobile;
• rotational;
• island;
• stationary.

The stationary subspecies is floor-standing, but at the request of the owner, it can be attached to the wall and fixed with dowels. Mobile racks, as a rule, are immediately installed on the small wheels that come with the kit. They are easy to move from one place to another when necessary, so they are most often used to store small items or tools that should always be in sight.

Wall models are fixed directly on the wall and can only be used from one side, but island structures are mainly installed in large garages to divide the space into two parts, they can be accessed from both sides.

Rotating models are very convenient as they save space and are quite functional. With proper sorting and organization, you can store a huge number of small things inside, such as screws, nails, nuts, bolts, etc. Thus, you will save not only space in your own garage, but also the time that is usually spent searching this or that subject.

Modern motorists also appreciate prefabricated modular racks, which can be modified, depending on the situation. They imply the ability to increase or, conversely, reduce the number of shelves, which is very convenient. If necessary, you can increase the height of the shelf to accommodate a large item or drawer.

There are certain requirements that motorists must place on shelves for shelving. First of all, they must have increased strength in order to hold the load and not give in to deformation when a heavy object is installed on them. The shelves must be installed in such a way that the driver can easily access them.

Mostly garage shelves have standard dimensions. A shelf with a width of 1.5-2 meters and a depth of 30-45 centimeters is considered optimal. The height varies, depending on the size of the intended storage, it can vary between 25-100 centimeters.

There are several types of structures that are selected according to the preferences of the garage owner:

• open;
• closed;
• removable;
• divided.

Open shelves are distinguished by the possibility of constant free access to any item. As a rule, they are found in mounted models. Closed models are perfect for car enthusiasts who prefer neatness. They exclude the possibility of falling or losing any object, even the smallest.

Removable models are very practical, as they can be easily swapped, and the rack itself can be rearranged to another place.In a split-type design, the shelves are initially divided into small cells, which provides a competent organization, order on the shelves and saves money, since you do not need to buy additional boxes and storage boxes.

Before choosing a suitable rack, there are some details to consider:

• First of all, it is necessary to take into account the items for storage, their weight and dimensions. It is important to take into account the material of the structure, its dimensions, the method of fixation and installation. You also need to choose the shelves wisely.
• At the stage of installation of the structure, you should carefully select the installation site. The best option is the area farthest from the garage doors so that the driver has room to enter and move.
• Today there is a wide selection of materials from which shelving is made: wood, plastic, but metal is the best option.

Before starting work on creating a rack with your own hands, you should decide on the material, and if metal is the best option for the frame, then the shelves can be made both metal and wooden. In the first case, the shelves are purchased at a hardware store, in the second, they can be made independently by cutting them out of plywood or chipboard 1.5-2 centimeters thick with a saw or jigsaw. If you don't want to spend money, use an old chest of drawers or other wooden piece of furniture as material for the shelves. The shelves should be protected from rot, water and other troubles and pre-oiled and painted.

Racks for the frame are made of rectangular profiles with a section of 5x5 cm. The frame itself is made from a corner with a shelf 1.5-2 centimeters wide, it can be bolted to the rack or welded. During welding, it is important to adjust the horizontal position of the position, otherwise it will be impossible to correct the inaccuracy after the end of the work. You will have to tinker with screwing each part with bolts, and it will take a lot of time. In the first case, you will get a strong connection in a short time, in the second - a practical model with removable shelves that you can move as you like.

Previously, the location of the future shelves should be noted so as not to engage in the calculation in the process, as this can significantly slow down the progress of work. After making the frame, you need to cover it with a primer and paint it with a special agent that protects against corrosion. After drying, boards are attached to the structure using self-tapping screws. If you want to have a wall rack, simply fix it against the wall with brackets.

How to make shelves in the garage with your own hands, see below.