Today we will talk with you about what a rack is. This interior item has long ceased to be an exclusively industrial facility, although many still associate it with heavy and bulky metal structures.
Racks come in different shapes, they differ in size, scope of use and the material from which they are made. But their main purpose is always the same - organization of space and compact storage of a variety of things.
Definition and functionality
So, to make it easier to understand what a rack is, you need to find out where the name of this design came from. The original source of this definition can be considered the Dutch word Stellen, which in translation into Russian means "to place". In a more familiar interpretation to our ears, it is modified to the German Stellage.
In dry academic languagethis device is defined as a structure consisting of a frame assembled from racks and crossbeams, on which floorings are installed in several tiers. The rack is designed to store piece items and materials - this is its main function. In everyday life, it can serve not only for its intended purpose, but also as a barrier necessary to protect certain areas in the room.
Mostly shelving - metal structures, in which the frame is made of pipes of different thicknesses (depending on what load they will be) and ceilings from boards, chipboard or perforated metal sheets.
Types of racks by area of use
The simplest and most common type of shelving device is considered to be a simple stationary design with cell shelves. Their depth, height and width may vary depending on the dimensions of the items stored in them. Modified models are equipped with sliding shelves, and sometimes an automated search system for ease of use of file cabinets and documentation. Do you know what a pallet, cantilever or stacker rack is?
The first ones are equipped with grooves for placing storage pallets in them, which greatly simplifies the storage and movement of goods. Cantilever and stacker racks are specialized systems that do not contain stationary flooring, shelves can be independently completed and adjusted in height using universal hooks-clamps.
Depending on where shelf structures are used, they are divided into:
- archival - narrow-purpose devices, suitable for storing file cabinets and documentation that is rarely requested;
- office - usually these are stationary, easy-to-use racks where business papers and various items are folded;
- exhibition - special designs that are used to create expositions, demonstrate production products;
- warehouse - most often these are metal racks, they can be mobile, have a different structure and purpose;
- household - fall under a separate category of furniture that can be used as a piece of furniture in a residential, office or work space.
Due to the fact that the range of equipment needed to optimize warehouse and office space is very diverse, you need to carefully consider its choice.
What racks are made of
Once the main material for making shelving was wood. However, racks and ceilings made from this raw material did not differ in durability, especially in conditions of damp and cold warehouses, so metal replaced wood.
Modern racks are made from a metal profile, which is coated with a powder-polymer coating. Such structures are distinguished by good resistance to various atmospheric influences, have increased load capacity, are reliable and durable.
Mostly household and officeracks, as well as some types of exhibition racks, are assembled from MDF, durable plastic or natural wood. These can be monolithic structures in which the frame and flooring are a single product. However, there are also such modifications where glass shelves are installed. Racks most often do not have a back wall. Also, this type of furniture is not closed with doors.
Business projects
What are racks and what is the scope of their application, entrepreneurs are sure to know, regardless of the vector of their activity. Where might such equipment be needed?
- In production - to furnish storage facilities.
- In sales – at the points of sale of goods, not only structures for equipping utility rooms and warehouses are needed, but also sales racks in the halls for visitors.
- At fairs and thematic exhibitions - as showcases for demonstrative product samples.
As we have already said, there are also office shelving necessary for organizing and storing documents, but this furniture will also be useful for decorating premises in catering establishments, schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, etc.
Domesticate industry
In interior design, a rack can be simply an indispensable object. This lightweight and versatile design has many variations. The rack can be made not only in the traditional form of a high rack with shelves arranged in a strictly geometric order with perfectly even lines and features, but also havemore modernized look. Modern furniture designers offer asymmetrical designs in various heights, widths and depths.
MDF panel racks are the most popular among buyers. This predisposition is due to the ease of installation, as well as its versatility. Furniture manufacturers produce modular racks, the location of the cells of which is possible in different ways, which allows you to modify this piece of furniture depending on the current needs and characteristics of the room.
You can install the design in almost any room, it all depends on its size. A small rack will fit into the interior of a hallway or bathroom, a large structure in height and width will be a great addition to a living room or bedroom.
Reader's Paradise
And if in common areas a multi-tiered shelf will serve more as a showcase for a variety of souvenirs and other cute little things, then in a nursery and home office, a rack is a special-purpose furniture. In a child's room, it will become an ideal place to store numerous toys and educational literature, notebooks, crafts, and awards. In an office or home library, a bookcase will help you organize the space and arrange printed publications according to personal preferences and aesthetic beliefs.
