Size & Measurement Help

Accurate Guidance to Choose the Perfect Size for Your Racks, Shelving & Storage Systems

At Rack N Rail, we want every customer to feel confident when choosing the correct size of racking, shelving, or storage equipment. Selecting the right dimensions ensures your unit fits your space, holds your items safely, and provides long-term reliability.

This Size & Measurement Help page explains how to measure your area correctly, how to choose shelf depth, height, and width, and how to avoid common measurement mistakes. It also includes visual tips, compatibility notes, and load-related guidance so you can purchase confidently.

1. Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Choosing the right size is essential for:

  • Proper fit in your intended space (home, garage, warehouse, office, shop, etc.)
  • Safe installation without obstruction or risk
  • Correct load distribution and maximum stability
  • Efficient organisation of your items
  • Preventing unexpected returns or modifications

Incorrect measurements may cause fitting issues, wall obstruction, door interference, or reduced load capacity. For safety reasons, always measure carefully before ordering.

2. What You Need to Measure

Before choosing a Rack N Rail product, measure the following:

2.1 Measure the width of the installation area from left to right.

Measure the full width of the installation area and leave space on both sides:

  • Recommended clearance: 2–5 cm each side
    This ensures easy installation and prevents tight, unsafe fitting.

2.2 Height (Floor to Ceiling)

Measure the vertical height from the floor to the ceiling or to the lowest obstacle (e.g., pipes, fittings).

  • For tall racks, allow an additional height of 10–20 cm to facilitate the lifting and positioning of upright frames during assembly.

2.3 Depth (Front to Back)

Measure from the wall outward into the usable space.

  • Consider walking room, door swing, vehicle clearance (garage), or aisle width if in a warehouse.

2.4. Wall-and-floor conditions

Check:

  • Wall type (brick, concrete, plasterboard)
  • Floor type (concrete, tile, wood, uneven surfaces)
    This affects stability and may influence the size you choose.

3. Measuring Tips for Different Installations

3.1. For Home or Garage Storage

  • Leave enough space around the rack for movement.
  • Ensure doors, freezers, or cabinets nearby can still open fully.
  • Avoid placing deep shelves where they may obstruct a walkway.

3.2. For businesses, retailers, or warehouses

  • Maintain safe aisle widths (typically 80–100 cm minimum).
  • Allow space for trolleys, pallet trucks, or equipment movement.
  • Consider future expansion (e.g., the ability to add more bays).

3.3. For Corner Spaces

  • Measure both wall lengths.
  • Please ensure there is adequate clearance for any crossbeams that may extend slightly.

3.4. For Tall Systems

Confirm that:

  • Your ceiling's height accommodates the unit.
  • lighting fixtures or pipes won’t interfere
  • The unit can be lifted upright without hitting the ceiling.

4. Understanding Rack N Rail Product Dimensions

All product dimensions are provided in the following format:

Height × Width × Depth

For example:
180 cm (H) × 90 cm (W) × 45 cm (D)

4.1 Height

  • Taller units provide greater storage capacity.
  • These units may need to be fixed to the wall for safety reasons.
  • Must fit comfortably beneath your ceiling.

4.2 Width

  • Wider units hold more items but require more wall space.
  • Examine for nearby door frames, switches, or pipes.

4.3 Depth

  • Deeper shelves support bulkier items.
  • Shallower shelves work well for tight spaces or narrow walkways.

5. Load Capacity & Size Choice

When choosing size, always consider weight distribution:

5.1 Shelf Load Capacity

Each shelf has a maximum load limit.
Choose a size based on the heaviest items you intend to store.

5.2 Total Unit Load

Exceeding the full capacity can cause:

  • Bending
  • Instability
  • Safety hazards

5.3 Heavy Items Rule

Always place the heaviest items on the lowest shelves.
This lowers the centre of gravity and prevents tipping.

6. Measuring Your Items Before Choosing Shelf Size

To ensure you choose the right depth and width, measure your items:

  • Storage boxes
  • Tools or toolkits
  • Large household items
  • Business equipment
  • Stock or inventory
  • Bags, cartons, and shipping containers

Item Measurement Checklist

For each item, measure:

  • Width
  • Depth
  • Height (if stacking)
  • Weight

This will help you determine whether you need:

  • Standard-depth shelves
  • Extra-deep shelves
  • Heavy-duty racking
  • Multi-tier shelving

7. Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid

Many customers mismeasure due to small oversights. Avoid these common mistakes:

Measuring only floor space, not wall obstacles
Forgetting skirting boards that reduce available width
Not accounting for plug sockets or switches
Ignoring ceiling fixtures (lights, pipes, beams)
Assuming walls are perfectly straight in older buildings
Not leaving clearance space for assembly
Measuring with a flexible or inaccurate tape measure

Always measure twice to ensure accuracy.

8. Measurement for Wall Fixing or Anchoring

Some racking units may require or benefit from wall anchoring.

Before ordering, check:

  • Wall height
  • Wall type
  • Whether the wall can safely support anchoring
  • Space behind the rack for brackets

Anchoring improves stability, especially for tall racks or uneven floors.

9. When to Choose Custom or Adjustable Shelving

If your space is tight or irregular, consider:

  • Adjustable-height shelves
  • Adjustable feet
  • Modular racks that can extend
  • Racks with optional add-on bays

Rack N Rail products are designed to be flexible and fit a wide range of spaces.

10. Still Unsure? We’re Happy to Help

If you are unsure about the correct size or need personalised recommendations, please contact our team with your measurements and storage needs.

Registered Company Name: RACK N RAIL LTD

Company number: 16104580

Registered office address: Liberty House, 30 Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, England, HA8 6LE, United Kingdom

Phone: +447588202705

Email: info@racknrail.co

Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Mon-Fri), Greenwich Mean Time (London)

We aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours during business days.

We can help you:

  • Confirm the correct size for your space
  • Recommend the right product based on your items
  • Advise on depth, height, and weight capacity
  • Suggest the best configuration for home or business use