If you have been shopping for pallet rack wire decking, you may have come across the term “hybrid wire deck.” But what exactly does this term hybrid mean? Simply put, a hybrid wire deck panel uses two different gauges of wire in the same deck. The most common configuration uses 6 gauge wire on top and 8 gauge wire on the bottom.
Hybrid wire deck panels are commonly used with selective pallet rack, the most common type of pallet rack found in warehouses and distribution facilities.
As wire costs have steadily increased, this design provides an economical alternative to a standard wire deck while maintaining the strength and durability needed for most warehouse applications.
How Is a Wire Deck Panel Constructed?
A wire deck panel is designed to sit inside the step of a pallet rack beam. Most step beams have a 1 5/8 inch step along the front and rear of the beam. The deck has U shaped support channels that rest in these beam steps. On a hybrid wire deck, the support channels are typically made from 14 gauge steel.
Two layers of welded wire are then attached to the support channels. The top layer uses heavier 6 gauge wire, while the bottom layer uses 8 gauge wire.
Why Are the Wires Installed in Different Directions?
The orientation of the wire is intentional. The 8 gauge bottom wire runs from upright to upright, or left to right across the rack. The heavier 6 gauge top wire runs from the front beam to the rear beam. This allows boxes, skids and pallets to move smoothly across the heavier top wires as they are loaded into the rack.
Why Use a Hybrid Wire Deck?
The primary reason is cost. Using 8 gauge wire for the bottom layer reduces the amount of steel required to manufacture the deck. At the same time, the 6 gauge top wire and 14 gauge support channels provide the strength and durability needed for everyday warehouse storage.
The result is a lower-cost wire deck that still provides more than enough capacity for most industrial applications.
How Much Weight Can a Hybrid Wire Deck Hold?
A typical 42 inch x 46 inch hybrid wire deck panel has a capacity of approximately 2,000 pounds uniformly distributed load. For comparison, a standard wire deck panel of the same size typically has a 2,500 pound capacity.
That is only a 500 pound difference, or about 20 percent. For many warehouses, 2,000 pounds is more than enough for the products being stored. If you are storing particularly heavy pallets, a standard or higher-capacity wire deck may be the better choice.
Why Choose Wire Decking Over Wood?
Pallet rack beams were originally designed with steps that could accommodate 2×4 or 2×6 lumber, often with wood plywood decking installed on top. As lumber prices increased and robotic welding made wire deck manufacturing more efficient, wire decking became a cost-effective alternative to wood.
Wire decking also provides several advantages, including improved airflow for fire suppression systems, increased visibility and no wood surface for dust and debris to collect.
Is a Hybrid Wire Deck Right for Your Rack?
For many warehouses, a hybrid wire deck provides an excellent combination of price, durability and capacity. If you are replacing existing decking or adding wire decking to a new pallet rack system, Midwest Material Handling can help you determine the right size and capacity for your application.
Need wire decking? Contact Midwest Material Handling for current pricing and availability.
