Is Plastic or Metal Garage Shelving Better?

The garage is frequently used as a catch-all space in homes for everything that needs a good home and those items that do but never get put away.

For this reason, many people use garage shelves to help them manage their extra personal items while still leaving space for the family car to park. Nevertheless, it can be challenging and confusing to decide what kind of garage shelves you might need for your storage needs because there are so many choices available on the market today, from wall shelving to overhead compartments, to shelving units that you have to put together to a pegboard and basket system.

The most popular form of garage shelves for many people is the simplest yet sturdy shelving system you can assemble yourself.

To elaborate on the examples further, since steel shelving units are typically a little more strong than their plastic equivalents, you’ll probably choose to use them if you have large items.

Of course, this isn’t meant to imply that plastic shelves are weak, but for large items, it’s best to go for industrial-strength products because otherwise, you can end up cleaning up a mess of collapsed boxes later. Therefore, you can choose the ideal option for your garage shelving needs by noting what you wish to store.

Additionally, plastic storage shelves are readily available. Typically, assembling these plastic shelves is fairly simple. Utilizing plastic storage shelves, you can quickly add additional storage space to your garage.

Although many other storage options are available to homes, wall-mounted shelves are the most effective. Depending on your storage needs, you may need to use various storage options such as cabinets, freestanding shelves, etc. However, the most popular option may be shelving because it is affordable and straightforward to set up.

The benefit of shelving is you don’t need to spend hours decluttering the stuff to find something. Thanks to the open shelves fitted to the surfaces. The risk of items sliding off the shelves is a drawback to the alternative. Garage shelving is ideal for medium-sized items that will only produce a little debris.

Learn more about choosing the right shelving unit for your garage and whether plastic or metal is preferable with our comprehensive post.

How to Choose Between Metal or Plastic?

Consider the weight, size, and shape of all the garage items you will store on your shelves. Make sure your shelving can support the weight of heavy objects like large water bottles, storage containers, or tiles if you intend to use them to organize them.

Similarly, anticipate storing bulky or unusually shaped items, such as outdoor electrical machines. Again, ensure they protrude slightly from the shelves or dangle over the edges.

When you have decided on the type and weight of things you need to store on the shelves, you should decide on the material of the shelving unit.

Metal shelving tends to be more durable and offers a more solid base, but it is also more prone to rust and deterioration than plastic shelving. Additionally, plastic shelving units are much lighter than metal ones, which is advantageous if you intend to move them around and don’t require them to be particularly sturdy. Additionally, plastic is typically much simpler to clean.

The Benefits of Garage Shelves

Most of the time, we use a garage solely for storage, oblivious to its proper use. It is very simple to gather up all of our possessions and store them in the garage, hidden from view. But after you’ve settled in the place, organizing the garage to make the most of its space is a good idea.

The best method to accomplish this is to install a garage shelving system. The following are some of the main benefits that putting shelving in your garage will provide to your entire space.

Safety

It can be dangerous to keep certain things placed on the ground. These substances include fuel, auto fluids, antifreeze, and weatherproofing agents. In addition, poisonous and explosive chemicals should be kept out of reach and off the ground, especially for people with pets and young children.

Organization of the Space

It is a great advantage that garage shelving provides for a garage space. It’s crucial to organize every space, especially the garage. It can help you organize separate spaces like tools, outdoor clothing, and machinery. Everything has a home to return to after use, and you can find what you’re looking for.

More Parking Space

Another great benefit is more space will be available for your automobile! You can use the space created by moving items off the floor and onto a shelf for various things, but you can also use it to park your car.

You Get Additional Storage Space

You may always make more space to store more of your belongings. For example, you can use extra space for items that need storage once you’ve organized your garage with racks and positioned them where necessary.

Protection

Your things will be shielded from weather-related damage if you store them in a designated place. Your machinery, personal items, and tools won’t risk rusting or water damage when you put them away from the floor.

How to Maximize Your Garage Storage Space?

Start by organizing the clutter in your garage if you need help remembering the last time you cleaned it out. Then, remove everything from your garage so you can assess the amount of room you have and the items you are currently storing.

Afterward, go through everything and dispose of or give anything broken or no longer in use. Be brutal! The storage space in question is priceless.

Once you’ve compiled your finalized list of things to store, evaluate your available space and think about how to make the most of it. For example, floor-to-ceiling open shelving is a terrific option if you have a lot of vacant vertical wall space, especially if you’re storing many smaller goods that can be gathered together in containers (i.e., seasonal sports gear or holiday decor).

Slatwall panels are an excellent option if you have a lot of vertical wall space, but your garage needs to be bigger for shelving because the panels take up so little room. To accommodate your storage demands, you may add different hooks and baskets to the slatwall panels.

Finally, search for untapped storage possibilities, such as the area above the ceiling. Storage bins, sporting goods, spare tires, and other items can all be kept above, thanks to shelves and racks for overhead storage.

Label each storage container or location once everything is in its proper place to ensure that your garage stays organized.

Specifically made, garage shelving is built to be durable enough to withstand frequent use and robust enough to hold the hefty objects you often store in the garage, providing you with more storage space in the garage.

The type of items you need to store will determine whether you choose plastic or metal shelves. Metal shelves are stronger and can support heavier items, but they are also more prone to rust and harder to keep clean. On the other hand, plastic shelves are great for storing lightweight items and are simpler to clean.

That’s why Danley’s Garages is #1 in Chicagoland for detached garage construction. Speak to a specialist and get a free quote today.