Wire Decking Styles

We stock 22 standard sizes and ship from five locations across the country. Step channel wire decking offers greater strength at a lower cost than other styles, which is why it accounts for the majority of wire decking sold in North America. If you’re outfitting a new warehouse or replacing old decking and you have standard step beams, start here. You won’t need to look further.

Inverted U-Channel Wire Decking for the Food Industry

Standard wire decking has channels that face upward, which means they can collect dust, dirt, food particles, and debris over time. For food processing, pharmaceutical, and other industries where cleanliness is a regulatory requirement, that’s a problem. Inverted U-channel wire decking solves it by turning the channel supports upside down so the flat top surface has nowhere for contaminants to hide.

The inverted channel design is required by the FDA for food products stored on palletized loads, making this style non-negotiable for food distributors and processors. Beyond compliance, it makes cleaning faster and more effective, reduces contamination risk, and still delivers the open mesh airflow and sprinkler penetration that wire decking provides over solid alternatives. This is a custom feature with an 8-10 week lead time, but it’s the right call for any operation where food safety and facility cleanliness are priorities. Call us at 800-763-9020 to discuss your requirements.

Inside Waterfall Wire Decks | Wire Decking with No Waterfall

Standard wire decking has mesh that waterfalls 1-1/2″ over the front and back face of the beam. That works great for most applications, but if you’re running a barcode scanning or labeling system that relies on clear beam faces for product identification, that waterfall is in the way. Inside waterfall wire decking sits flush inside the beam step with no mesh extending over the beam face—leaving the entire front face clear for labels, stickers, and scanning systems.

This style has exploded in popularity with e-commerce operations, third-party logistics companies, and distribution centers where order picking efficiency depends on clean, scannable beam labels. We’re now seeing inside waterfall wire decking outsell standard waterfall style decking in many markets—10,000-piece orders shipping to single distribution centers are not uncommon. The Amazon-ization of retail has made order picking accuracy a top priority, and inside waterfall wire decking is part of the solution. Tek screws are required to fasten inside waterfall decking to the step beam for stability.

Wire Decking with Flared Channel Supports offer Universal Fit

Not every warehouse has a single consistent rack system. Older facilities often have a mix of beam styles from different manufacturers and eras—step beams, box beams, structural C-channel beams—and specifying a different wire deck for each one is a logistical headache. Flared wire decking solves this problem with a universal fit design that works with virtually all pallet rack load beams. The flared ends of the channel supports rest on the top crown of the beam without requiring a step, making this deck compatible across beam types without measuring each rack individually.

Our flared channel supports feature an exclusive pressed ridge design that adds strength and rigidity beyond standard flared decking, delivering 2,500 lbs. capacity per shelf level. The drop-in design requires no tools for installation, and the open wire mesh provides the same airflow, visibility, and sprinkler penetration as any other wire deck style. If you have a variety of rack styles throughout your facility and need one decking solution that works everywhere, flared channel wire decking is the answer.

Flared Wire Decking For Structural Pallet Racking

If you have structural pallet rack with C-channel beams, your wire decking options are limited. Standard step channel decking requires a step beam and won’t work on structural rack. Your options for structural rack are flared wire decking or structural pallet supports—and if you need to store boxes or support pallet loads on the shelf, flared wire decking is the right choice.

Flared wire decking is especially popular with food distributors who use structural rack because food distribution operations are hard on their rack. Forklifts are constantly in and out of the aisles, which means more forklift contact, more damage, and a need for structural rack that can take the abuse. To match the capacity of structural rack, we stock a 4-channel flared wire decking with 3,000 lb. capacity for our food and beverage customers. All you need to specify flared wire decking is the out-to-out depth of the rack and the beam length—no complicated measurement sheets required.

Inside Waterfall Wire Mesh Decking for Pallet Racking Aids Order Picking

Here’s why inside waterfall wire decking has become the fastest-growing wire deck style in the industry: order picking. More companies than ever are shipping directly to customers’ homes, and that means more picks per shift, more pressure on accuracy, and more reliance on beam labels and barcode scanning to get the right product into the right box. Standard waterfall decking that covers the beam face gets in the way of that process. Inside waterfall decking gets out of the way.

The deck sits flush with the top of the beam, leaving the entire front face clear for product labels and SKU identification. Order pickers can read labels faster, scanners read barcodes more reliably, and pick accuracy improves. It’s also a safety improvement—there’s no wire mesh edge extending over the beam face for workers to catch their sleeves on during picking. For e-commerce operations, 3PLs, and any facility where order picking accuracy drives the bottom line, inside waterfall wire decking is worth the conversation.

Wire Decking for Wide Span Shelving

If you’re still using particle board decking in your wide span shelving, it’s time to make the switch—and it’s better to make that decision yourself before your fire marshal or insurance company makes it for you. Wood decking is a fire hazard, absorbs moisture, warps over time, and requires ongoing replacement. Wire decking for wide span shelving eliminates all of those problems at a cost that delivers a fast return on investment.

Wire decking for wide span shelving is available in two styles: 3/4″ shallow step U-channel and flared channel—both work equally well, and we’ll provide whichever is most cost-effective for your specific application. The 2″ x 4″ x 6 GA wire mesh waterfalls over the front and back of the beam and delivers capacity through the channel supports underneath. The open mesh design allows better light penetration, reduces dust and debris buildup, and allows sprinklers to function as designed in the event of a fire. Gray powder coat finish adds durability and a clean appearance. Make the switch once and you won’t go back.

Inside Waterfall Wire Decking | Wire Decking with No Waterfall for Clean Beam Face

There’s a version of inside waterfall wire decking specifically designed for retail applications where clean beam faces and professional appearance matter as much as function. The waterfall is hidden inside the step, leaving the beam face completely unobstructed. The deck sits flush with the top of the beam, giving each shelf level a clean, finished appearance that looks right in retail environments and showroom-style storage areas.

Beyond appearance, the absence of a waterfall edge eliminates the hazard of workers catching clothing on wire mesh edges during order picking—a genuine safety concern in fast-paced picking environments. The flush fit also maintains clearance between beam levels without the wire mesh edge reducing the usable opening height. For retail operations, e-commerce facilities, and any environment where appearance and safety both matter, inside waterfall wire decking with no waterfall delivers on both.

Reverse Waterfall Wire Decking

Reverse waterfall wire decking turns the mesh upward at the back of the deck instead of downward, creating a built-in backstop that prevents boxes and cartons from sliding off the back of the shelf. It’s an economical solution for hand-stacked applications where boxes need to be contained without adding separate rack guards or beam stops. The reverse waterfall does the job right at the deck level without additional hardware.

One important note from the pros: reverse waterfall wire decking is designed for hand-stacked boxes and cartons—not pallets. If you use reverse waterfall decking as a pallet stop, the upturned mesh will bend and deform under the weight and momentum of a pallet. For pallet containment, use our single or double pallet load stops instead. Reverse waterfall is a custom product with an 8-10 week lead time, so plan accordingly when specifying for a new installation.

Inverted Flared Wire Decking | Universal Fit For The Food Industry

Inverted flared wire decking combines the universal fit of flared channel supports with the inverted channel design required for food applications—giving food distributors and processors a single deck style that works with structural rack, box beams, and standard 1-5/8″ step beams without measuring every rack configuration in the facility. The U-channel is turned upside down with a flat top surface that won’t collect dust, dirt, or food particles, and the flared ends rest on the top of the beam without requiring a step.

This is the right choice for food operations that have a variety of rack styles throughout their facility and need an inverted channel deck that works across all of them. Instead of specifying different decks for different beam types and managing multiple SKUs, inverted flared wire decking provides one solution that fits everything. If your facility is in the food industry and your rack is anything other than standard step beams, this is where the conversation starts.

Inverted Channel Steel Wire Mesh Decking for the Food Distribution Industry

The FDA requires that food products on palletized loads be stored on wire decking with inverted channel supports—and this is the deck that meets that requirement for standard 1-5/8″ step beam selective pallet rack. The U-shaped channel faces downward, flat on top, with nowhere for food particles, dust, or debris to collect. It keeps your facility cleaner, supports FDA compliance, and doesn’t add significantly to the cost of your wire decking program.

The inverted step channel wire deck is our most popular inverted wire mesh deck and the style most commonly found in food distribution warehouses across the country. If you have standard step beams and you’re in the food industry, this is your deck. If your beams are structural C-channel or box beams rather than standard step beams, you’ll want inverted flared wire decking instead. Either way, this is a custom product with an 8-10 week lead time—plan your orders accordingly.

Flat Wire Decking for Boltless Shelving

Flat wire decking is replacing particle board decking in boltless shelving systems across the country, and fire marshals and insurance companies are driving a lot of that change. Wood particle board is flammable, deteriorates with moisture exposure, chips and flakes over time, and creates a safety hazard as it breaks down. Flat wire decking eliminates all of those problems. It’s non-flammable, self-cleaning, durable, and fits all brands of boltless shelving without modification.

The open wire mesh allows sprinklers to function as designed in the event of a fire—a critical advantage over solid wood decking that can block water penetration and fuel a fire. It also allows better light penetration through the shelving, making it easier to locate and identify stored products. Flat wire decking is available in standard sizes and can be custom manufactured to meet non-standard shelving dimensions. The return on investment compared to ongoing particle board replacement costs is short, and the safety improvement is immediate. Make the switch before someone else requires you to.

Flared Channel Wire Decking | Universal Fit Pallet Rack Decking

Flared channel wire decking with its universal fit works with box beams, structural beams, and standard 1-5/8″ step beams—one deck style that covers virtually every rack configuration in your facility. Our newly designed flared channels feature pressed ridges for added strength and rigidity that standard flared decking doesn’t provide, delivering 2,500 lbs. capacity per shelf level in an attractive gray powder coat finish.

We ship from the largest inventory of wire decking in the United States and stock thousands of pieces of flared channel wire decking in standard sizes at locations nationwide. This is the #1 selling wire deck in the world, and we manufacture it to the highest quality standards in the industry using automated welders that ensure consistent weld quality across every piece. If you need wire decking that works across multiple rack styles, ships fast, and performs reliably under demanding warehouse conditions, flared channel wire decking is the answer.

Frequently Asked Questions: Wire Decking Styles

How do I know which wire decking style is right for my pallet rack system?

Start with your beam type. If you have standard teardrop roll-formed pallet rack with 1-5/8″ step beams, step channel wire decking is the right choice—it’s the industry standard and delivers the best combination of capacity and cost for that beam type. If you have structural pallet rack with C-channel beams, box beams, or a mix of beam styles from different manufacturers, flared channel wire decking with its universal fit is the practical solution because it works across all beam types without requiring separate specifications for each rack style. For food industry applications, inverted channel decking is required by FDA regulation regardless of beam type—inverted step channel for standard step beams, inverted flared for structural or mixed beam applications. For order picking operations that rely on barcode scanning and beam labels, inside waterfall wire decking keeps the beam face clear for labels and scanning. For wide span shelving and boltless shelving, flat wire decking replaces particle board. If you’re not sure which style fits your situation, call us at 800-763-9020 and we’ll help you figure it out.

What fire safety and insurance requirements apply to wire decking in warehouse rack systems?

Wire decking plays a critical role in fire safety compliance because its open mesh design allows water from overhead sprinkler systems to penetrate storage levels and reach the fire source more effectively than solid decking alternatives. NFPA 13, the standard for sprinkler system installation, governs how storage systems must be configured to allow sprinkler systems to function effectively, and open mesh wire decking is generally preferred over solid decking from a fire suppression perspective. Many fire marshals and insurance carriers specifically require wire decking in pallet rack and shelving systems, and facilities using wood particle board decking in wide span or boltless shelving are frequently required to replace it with wire mesh decking upon inspection. The 6″ vertical flue space required between pallets in back-to-back rack rows is a separate but related requirement that wire decking supports by maintaining open vertical channels through the storage system. Before configuring a new rack system or converting from wood to wire decking, consult with your local fire marshal and insurance carrier to confirm the specific requirements for your facility type, commodity classification, and storage height.

What are the installation requirements for wire decking, and do different styles have different requirements?

Most wire decking styles are designed for tool-free drop-in installation—the deck simply rests on the rack beams in the correct position. Step channel decking drops into the 1-5/8″ step of the beam and is held in place by the channel supports sitting in the step. Flared channel decking rests on top of the beam with the flared ends providing a stable seating position. The primary exception is inside waterfall wire decking, which requires Tek screws to fasten the deck to the step beam because the flush-fit design doesn’t have the mechanical retention that standard step channel decking achieves by sitting inside the beam step. Decking should be installed with the correct orientation—inverted channel decking must be positioned with channels facing down, and reverse waterfall decking must be oriented with the upturned mesh at the back of the shelf. Wire decking should be sized to match the beam length and rack depth exactly—decking that overhangs the beam or falls short of full coverage creates instability and reduces effective load capacity. For custom applications or non-standard rack dimensions, contact us to specify decking to your exact measurements.

How should wire decking be maintained, and when should it be replaced?

Wire decking is one of the lowest-maintenance components in a pallet rack system, but it still requires periodic inspection to ensure it continues to perform safely. Inspections should check for bent or deformed wire mesh that could create uneven load distribution, damaged or missing channel supports that reduce deck capacity, and corrosion or rust that compromises the structural integrity of the welded wire and channel components. Decking in food industry applications with inverted channels should be inspected for damage to the channel supports that could create areas where food particles can accumulate despite the inverted design. Flat wire decking in boltless shelving should be checked for deformation under heavy loads—decking that shows permanent deflection between supports has been overloaded and should be replaced. Wire decking that has sustained impact damage from forklift contact, shows visible deformation in the channel supports, or has broken welds between the wire mesh and channel supports should be replaced rather than repaired, as damaged decking cannot be reliably returned to its original load rating. Keeping a small inventory of replacement decking in the most common sizes used in your facility reduces downtime when damaged decking needs to be replaced during normal operations.