Pallet Rack-Galvanized vs. Standard Powder Coated… is it worth it?
We are often asked for recommendations on Pallet Rack or Cantilever Rack for outdoor use. The options are relatively simple… we sell full, hot dipped Galvanized Pallet Rack Uprights, Beams and Wire Decks. We also carry Cantilever Racking and all related accessories, fully suitable for outdoor use.
What is Galvanizing? Galvanizing is a proceed that takes raw, unpantied metal and is “hot dipped” into a molten zinc chemical bath mixture. This process, when dry makes the metal resistant to corrosion and rust. There are several different methods to galvanize (like electro-galvanizing) but hot dipping is, by far the most common. You likely see galvanizing in products designed for prolonged time spent outside or in hot/cold exterior climates. While not totally permanent, with care, a galvanized Pallet Rack Upright, Beam or Wire Deck can be rust and corrosion free for decades.
But is the additional cost worth it? That is difficult to answer. The average cost for galvanized Pallet Rack is generally 3-4 times the cost for standard Racking.
Why is it so expensive? Industrial Rack manufacturers do not galvanize themselves, they have to ship the Racking to a local galvanizer, where the process is performed. Once complete, the Racking is then shipped back to the manufacturer, where it is prepped for shipment. All of these “steps” contribute to the overall added cost.
Due primarily to cost, we do not sell a lot of galvanized Pallet Racking. We sell to several large, big box home improvement retailers. They purchase it primarily for their outdoor products and landscape items. We often say that you could purchase standard, powder coated Rack, which you know, in time will rust (if left outdoors) 3 to 4 times over for the same cost of one order of galvanized Pallet Rack. Remember, this chemically treated Racking gets damaged just as easily as standard Rack, the galvanizing does nothing to improve that! Additionally, the galvanizing process adds weeks onto lead times.
