Used Steel Shelving
Stockroom Shelving
Most Orders Ship in 48 Hours
Clip Shelving, Boltless Rivet Shelving & Wire Shelving
Steel Shelving
Used Steel Shelving for Stockrooms and Warehouses
A&A Surplus has sold warehouse equipment out of Plantsville, Connecticut since 1939, and steel shelving is one of the things we move most. Parts rooms, stockrooms, maintenance shops, records storage and retail backrooms all end up with it, because anything loaded by hand fits on a shelf.
We stock used clip-style steel shelving in common shelf sizes, plus boltless rivet shelving for bulky cartons and wire shelving for loads that need air or a quick wipe-down. Tell us your space, what you’re storing and how many units you need. We’ll tell you what we have and what it costs to get it to you.
Shelving Types
Three Types of Steel Shelving We Stock
Steel Clip Shelving
- All-steel posts and shelves
- Shelves clip into the posts
- 7 shelf sizes in stock (see table)
- Solid shelves keep small parts from falling through
Boltless Rivet Shelving
- Rivet beams drop into the posts, no bolts
- Wide spans for bulky cartons
- Particle board or wire decks
- Most orders ship in 48 hours
Wire Shelving
- Open wire shelves
- Air and light pass through
- Easy to wipe down
- Common in kitchens, coolers and clean rooms
Steel Clip Shelf Sizes in Stock
| Shelf size | Depth | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 12″ x 36″ | 12″ | Small parts, bins, manuals |
| 18″ x 36″ | 18″ | Boxed parts, files, supplies |
| 18″ x 48″ | 18″ | Longer runs of boxed stock |
| 24″ x 36″ | 24″ | Cases and mid-size cartons |
| 24″ x 42″ | 24″ | Cases that need extra width |
| 24″ x 48″ | 24″ | Bulk cartons and totes |
| 30″ x 48″ | 30″ | Deep cartons and bulky items |
Upright heights and quantities change daily. Call 1-800-826-5326 for what’s on the floor today.
On a tight budget? Here’s why used steel shelving units make sense for most warehouses.
From Our Yard
The Basics
What Is Steel Shelving?
Steel shelving is freestanding shelving built from steel posts and steel shelves. Every level is loaded by hand, so it’s made for cases, boxes, bins and loose parts rather than pallets. If you move product with a forklift, you want pallet rack. If people pick by hand, you want shelving.
Units go together into rows, and add-on units share posts with the unit beside them. A long run costs less than the same number of standalone units.
Why It’s in Every Stockroom
-
Hand-height access
Every shelf sits where a person can reach it. No equipment needed to pick.
-
Adjustable levels
Shelves move up or down to fit what you store.
-
Small footprint
Fits rooms and aisles where pallet rack won’t.
-
Grows with you
Add-on units extend a row without buying a full new unit.
-
Holds its shape
Steel doesn’t sag, rot or warp the way wood shelving does.
Applications
Where Steel Shelving Earns Its Keep
Parts Rooms
Small parts, fasteners and spares stay sorted and labeled, one bin per spot.
Stockrooms and Backrooms
Retail and restaurant backstock stays off the floor and easy to count.
Maintenance Shops
Filters, belts, motors and tools sit where techs can find them fast.
Records and Archives
Banker boxes and files line up on shallow shelves without wasted depth.
Shipping and Packing
Boxes, tape and packing supplies stay within reach of the packing table.
Fleet and Service Shops
Fluids, filters and spare parts stay organized and off the shop floor.
Compare
Clip vs. Boltless vs. Wire Shelving
Clip shelving is the default for parts rooms and stockrooms, because solid steel shelves keep small items from falling through. Boltless rivet shelving swaps the steel shelf for wide beams and decks, so it carries bigger, heavier cartons across longer spans. Wire shelving lets air and light through and wipes clean, which is why kitchens and coolers use it. Not sure which one fits? Tell us what you’re storing and how heavy it is.
| Steel Clip | Boltless Rivet | Wire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small parts, files, boxed stock | Bulky cartons, heavy hand-loaded items | Food service, ventilated or washable storage |
| Shelf surface | Solid steel | Particle board or wire deck | Open wire |
| Span | Shorter shelves | Wide spans | Short to medium |
| How it goes together | Shelves clip into posts | Beams drop into post slots | Shelves lock onto posts |
| Can be enclosed | Yes, with side and back panels | Usually left open | Open |
Planning Guide
How to Plan a Shelving Run
Four decisions shape every shelving layout. Settle these before you order.
Depth
Match shelf depth to the biggest thing you store. Boxes that hang off the front get knocked, and deep shelves holding small parts waste space.
Width
36″ is the most common width. Wider shelves hold more items but carry less weight per shelf at the same steel gauge. Ask us what each size is rated for.
Height and Levels
Count the levels you need, then leave room between shelves for your tallest item plus a few inches to get a hand in.
Rows and Aisles
Plan around 36″ for a walking aisle, more if carts pass through. Add-on units share posts, so long rows go up faster and cost less.
Why A&A
Why Buy Used Steel Shelving From A&A
Steel shelving is simple: posts, shelves and clips. When a used unit is straight and complete, it holds the same load as a new one for a fraction of the price. That’s why used shelving is one of the easiest ways to stretch a storage budget.
We’ve been in business since 1939 and carry a BBB A+ rating. We check used shelving before it leaves the yard, and we’ll tell you straight if a unit isn’t right for your load. Clearing out a building? We buy used material handling equipment too.
Service Area
Steel Shelving Across the Northeast
We deliver and install used steel shelving in six states. Most orders ship from Plantsville within 48 hours. Pick your state for local delivery and install details.
Our Google Reviews
FAQ
Steel Shelving Common Questions
What sizes of steel shelving do you have in stock?
Our steel clip shelving comes in 12 x 36, 18 x 36, 18 x 48, 24 x 36, 24 x 42, 24 x 48 and 30 x 48 inch shelf sizes. Stock changes daily, so call 1-800-826-5326 to confirm quantities and upright heights.
What's the difference between clip shelving and boltless shelving?
Clip shelving uses solid steel shelves that clip into steel posts, which suits small parts and boxed stock. Boltless shelving uses rivet beams that drop into slotted posts with a deck on top, so it spans wider and handles bulkier cartons.
Is used steel shelving as strong as new?
Yes, as long as the posts are straight and the shelves aren’t bent. Steel shelving has no moving parts to wear out. We check used units before they leave the yard.
How much weight can a steel shelf hold?
It depends on the steel gauge, the shelf size and how the load is spread. Wider shelves carry less than narrow ones of the same gauge. Tell us what you’re storing and we’ll match the shelf to the load.
Can I add on to shelving I already have?
Often, yes. If your posts and shelves are the same style and size, add-on units can extend the row. Send us a photo and the shelf dimensions and we’ll check what we have.
Do you sell boltless and wire shelving too?
Yes. See our Rivet Lock shelving and wire shelving pages, or call and we’ll put together a mix for your space.
How fast can I get it?
Shelving in stock is ready when you are. It ships from our yard in Plantsville, CT. Call 1-800-826-5326 for a freight quote.
Do you buy used shelving?
Yes. We buy used material handling equipment, shelving included. If you’re closing or clearing out a facility, call 1-800-826-5326 or visit our We Purchase Used Equipment page.
Ready to Order or
Have Questions?
Our team is available Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. We’ll confirm your order by phone after you submit.