Warehouses 5 min read
Warehouse Racking & Clear-Height Planning Guide
Quick Answer
Warehouse clear height should be planned alongside racking system choice (selective, drive-in, or narrow-aisle systems each have different height-to-density trade-offs) — deciding building height first and racking layout afterward often leaves usable storage capacity on the table.
Common Racking System Types
- Selective pallet racking — the most common system, offering direct access to every pallet position but lower density
- Drive-in/drive-through racking — higher density by allowing forklifts into the rack structure, at the cost of selectivity
- Narrow-aisle racking — increases density by reducing aisle width, requiring specialized narrow-aisle equipment
Matching Height to Racking Choice
The clear height decision should be made in conjunction with racking system selection — a taller building with selective racking might store less than a moderately tall building with a denser racking system, depending on inventory turnover needs and equipment access requirements.