Pallet Rack Wire Deck Panels

PALLET RACK WIRE DECK PANELS provide a stable load surface while improving safety, airflow, and fire protection within warehouse racking systems. Midwest Material Handling supplies new and used wire decking for pallet rack systems in warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial facilities throughout Ohio and nationwide.

Wire decking is commonly used with selective pallet rack, teardrop rack, and structural rack systems. Whether you are replacing damaged decking, expanding an existing rack system, or outfitting a new installation, our team helps match the correct wire deck style, size, and capacity to your rack configuration and load requirements.

Types & Styles of Pallet Rack Wire Deck Panels

Wire deck panels are available in multiple channel and edge configurations designed to match different beam styles and applications.

Standard Waterfall Wire Decks

Waterfall wire decks are the most commonly used style. These decks feature a U-channel support with a front and rear lip that wraps over standard 1⅝″ step beams, helping prevent movement during loading and unloading.

Most standard waterfall decks include three support channels and are typically rated around 2,500 lbs. per deck. Wider decks or higher-capacity applications may use four support channels.

Inverted U-Channel Waterfall Decks

Inverted channel wire decks are primarily used in food-grade or sanitation-sensitive environments. By reversing the channel orientation, this design prevents debris or product from collecting inside the channel body, making cleaning easier and reducing contamination risk.

Flared Channel Waterfall Wire Decks

Flared channel wire decks are designed for non-step beams or older beam styles. These decks rest directly on top of the beam while maintaining load capacities similar to standard step-beam decks.

Structural Wire Decks

Structural wire decks are built specifically for structural (C-channel) pallet rack beams. Depending on beam design and capacity requirements, these decks may use standard or flared channels and are engineered for heavy-duty warehouse environments.

Up-Turned Waterfall Wire Decks

Up-turned wire decks include a raised rear lip that helps prevent cartons or loose items from falling off the back of the rack. Flush-front options are available for small-package handling and order-picking operations.

Flat (Flush) Wire Decks

Flush wire decks terminate at the inside edge of the beam rather than wrapping over the front. These decks are commonly used on lower rack levels for hand stacking or order-picking and allow clear visibility of beam labels and load markings.

Light-Duty Wire Decks

Light-duty wire decking is designed for wide-span shelving and rivet or boltless shelving systems. These decks often replace particle board and typically feature 5-gauge wire construction with a 2″ × 4″ grid pattern.

Solid Steel & Corrugated Decking Options

Perforated Steel Rack Decking

Perforated steel decking combines the strength of corrugated steel with limited airflow benefits. These decks are commonly rated around 3,000 lbs., constructed from 14-gauge steel, and feature reinforced channels and waterfall edges for secure placement.

Corrugated Steel Decking

Corrugated steel decking provides a solid, continuous surface across the rack bay and offers the highest load capacities available for pallet rack and cantilever rack systems.

Corrugated decking is considerably stronger than wood or wire and supports loads from the front to the back of the rack bay, making it ideal for long or irregular materials. It is commonly used in heavy-duty applications and is available in painted, galvanized, stainless, or perforated finishes.

Corrugated decking is also widely used in cantilever racking, where it creates a stacking surface between arms for materials such as lumber, furniture, fabric, and sheet goods.

One limitation of corrugated decking is that it must be cut to length at the factory, as it is difficult to modify on-site.

Common Wire Deck Sizes & Load Capacities

We stock a wide range of standard wire decking sizes designed to fit common pallet rack configurations used in Ohio warehouses.

Typical Wire Deck Depths:

24″, 36″, 42″, 48″, and 60″

Common Wire Deck Widths:

46″, 52″, and 58″ (based on beam length)

Load capacities vary by deck style and channel configuration. Many standard pallet rack wire decks are rated between 2,100 lbs. and 3,100+ lbs. per deck when properly installed. Our team can confirm capacity requirements based on rack design, pallet size, and product weight.

Why Wire Mesh Deck Panels Are the Industry Standard

Wire mesh deck panels have largely replaced wood and solid decking in modern warehouse environments. Unlike wood or solid steel panels, wire decking allows light, airflow, and sprinkler water to pass through the rack system, helping facilities meet fire-code and safety requirements.

The open mesh design also reduces dust buildup and allows visibility between rack levels. When properly matched to beams and uprights, wire decks help maintain the rated load capacity of the pallet rack system. Installation is fast and tool-free—panels simply drop into place.

Wire deck panels are a key component of modern pallet rack systems, providing consistent load support, visibility, and fire-code compliance.

How Wire Decking Has Evolved

Early pallet rack systems relied on wood decking, which was later supplemented by steel flanged cross bars. As manufacturing technology advanced—particularly robotic welding—wire deck panels became more consistent, stronger, and more cost-effective.

Today’s wire decking is engineered as a structural component of the rack system, offering predictable performance and long-term reliability in warehouse storage applications.

Wood Decking vs. Wire Decking

Wood decking was once commonly used to create shelving within pallet rack systems. Lumber boards were placed across beams to support pallets, but load capacity was often limited by wood quality and condition.

In many standard 96″ wide by 42″ deep bays, wood decking supports roughly 900 lbs. per level. With wire decking, load ratings are engineered and tested as part of the rack system, providing consistent performance and improved safety.

Will Pallets Catch on Wire Decking?

This is a common concern, and the answer is no. Wire deck panels are manufactured with the top layer of wire running front to back, allowing pallets and skids to slide smoothly into position. The lower wire layer runs side to side and is welded to the support channels, creating a strong, stable structure without interfering with pallet movement.

Benefits of Wire Mesh Decking

• Improved airflow and sprinkler effectiveness

• Enhanced visibility throughout the rack system

• Fast, tool-free installation

• Durable, long-lasting steel construction

• Maintains pallet rack load capacity integrity

New & Used Wire Decking Inventory

Midwest Material Handling offers new and used wire deck panels to support different budgets, timelines, and project scopes. Used wire decks are inspected for structural integrity and provide a cost-effective solution for expansions, repairs, and temporary storage needs.

Inventory levels change frequently, so contact our team to confirm availability, sizes, and quantities.

Custom Sizes & Manufacturer Options

For applications requiring non-standard sizes, we can provide custom wire deck panels built to specification. We also supply wire decking from leading manufacturers, including Nashville Wire Products, ITC Manufacturing, Nelson Wire & Steel, Husky Rack & Wire, and Cogan Wire Products.

Request Pricing or a Quote

Browse available inventory online or contact our team for pricing, availability, and expert guidance on new and used pallet rack wire deck panels in Ohio. Our specialists are ready to help you select the right solution for your warehouse storage system.