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Cantilever Lumber Storage Racks

Industrial Quality, Cantilever Lumber Storage Racks | Made in the USA

Cantilever racks are the best way to store lumber–from small to large quantities and from personal to industrial applications. These racks keep lumber dry, off the ground, and protected from warping, bowing, and sagging.

DC Graves’ cantilever lumber storage rack systems provide the strongest and most reliable way to store and protect lumber. With weight bearing capacities over 8000 LBS, and a variety of predesigned rack layouts to choose from, you can find the right racks for your storage needs. If you don’t see what you need here, we can help you to customize a wood storage rack just for your needs!

cantilever lumber rack

Lumber Rack Benefits

Whether you enjoy woodworking as a hobby or you run a lumber yard with stock or custom wood options, properly storing your lumber is super important. The right woodworking rack can:

  • Provide off-ground draining if wood is exposed to the elements
  • Keep wood from lying directly on the floor, making it easier to access and lift
  • Keep sizes and types of wood organized and easy to locate
  • Enhance the safety of your yard or workshop, keeping lumber out of the way
  • Increase accessibility with forklift compatibility
  • Scale with your needs–adjustable shelving units can be added to for more capacity

When designing cantilever racks for lumber storage, everything is typically done using 4' increments, your arms and uprights are put on 4' centers, and lumber is stored with 4' long arms. Please see drawing below that illustrates this concept. For loads over 16' in length simply continue the formula by adding arms and uprights on 4' centers to realize your storage system.

Configuring your wood storage rack on 4' centers also gives you the added flexibility of storing multiple lengths of lumber on the same rack, see drawing below.

Below we have configured some pre-packaged cantilever rack systems based on some of the most common configurations for lumber storage. Please read through the following bullet points for some important information regarding the pre-packaged cantilever commercial lumber storage racks.

  • Storage Levels - The storage levels in the chart below includes the base of the uprights as one storage level. For example, the model MDS8-8-2, has (2) storage levels which consist of the base + 1 level of arms. The base length on all models is 48" long giving you the same storage space as the arms above.

  • Capacity per Level - The stated capacity per level is based on the capacity of the load being stored on the arms. The base storage level does not configure into the overall capacity of the rack since it is supported directly by the ground. The base storage level offers an unlimited weight capacity, you can load it up with as much lumber as you can fit on it. Most users put their heaviest loads on the wood storage rack base to take advantage of this capacity.

Medium Duty - Single Sided Lumber Storage Rack - for 8' Long Lumber
Includes - (2) Single Sided Uprights
48" Long Straight Arms
(1) 4' Brace Set
Model Upright Height Storage Levels Capacity per Level Weight
MDS8-8-2 8' 2 4,000-lbs. 523-lbs.
MDS8-8-3 8' 3 4,000-lbs. 581-lbs.
MDS12-8-4 12' 4 4,000-lbs. 770-lbs.
Medium Duty - Single Sided Lumber Storage Rack - for 12' Long Lumber
Includes - (3) Single Sided Uprights
48" Long Straight Arms
(2) 4' Brace Sets
Model Upright Height Storage Levels Capacity per Level Weight
MDS8-12-3 8' 3 6,000-lbs. 889-lbs.
MDS12-12-4 12' 4 6,000-lbs. 1181-lbs.
Medium Duty - Single Sided Lumber Storage Rack - for 16' Long Lumber
Includes - (4) Single Sided Uprights
48" Long Straight Arms
(3) 4' Brace Sets
Model Upright Height Storage Levels Capacity per Level Weight
MDS12-16-4 12' 4 8,000-lbs. 1541-lbs.

Customizable Wood Storage Racks

When designing cantilever racks for lumber storage, customization often follows a standardized 4-foot increment system to maximize efficiency and compatibility. This approach ensures that the arms and uprights are placed on 4-foot centers, providing uniformity and stability across the rack. Additionally, the arms are designed to be 4 feet long, offering ample support for standard lumber sizes while preventing overhang or sagging.

This modular design not only accommodates various wood dimensions but also allows for easy adjustments, making it an ideal solution for businesses or individuals with diverse storage needs. By using this 4-foot configuration, wood storage racks remain both functional and versatile, seamlessly integrating into any workspace.

Cantilever Lumber Rack Parts

Our fully adjustable cantilever wood storage racks are made of just a few basic parts:


  • Centers–these are the joist-like beams that lay on the floor, providing level structure for the whole unit

  • Uprights–just as the name suggests, these are the beams that attach to the centers and stand upright for the arms to extend from

  • Arms–these are the cantilevers that extend from the uprights–they form the “shelf” or arms that the lumber rests on

Vertical Lumber Storage Rack Configurations

This diagram of a double-sided cantilever rack shows a unit that accommodates 16’ long boards:


  • The unit has (4) storage levels (all off the ground)

  • The base is made of 4 centers that are 4’ each

  • There are 3 arms per side

  • The lumber storage rack itself spans 12' from end to end, and the 16' boards overhang by 2’ on both ends


This storage configuration ensures that your lumber will never warp, bow in the middle between the arms, or sag at the end. For wood that exceeds 16’ in length, simply add more centers and arms accordingly. We recommend not exceeding

Predesigned Cantilever Racks for Lumber

Below, we’ve outlined some pre-packaged cantilever rack systems designed based on common configurations for commercial lumber storage. These systems are tailored to maximize efficiency and convenience. Please review the following key details about our pre-packaged cantilever lumber storage racks:

  • Lumber Storage Levels: Each model's storage levels include the base of the uprights as one level. For instance, model MDS8-8-2 features two storage levels, which consist of the base and one additional level of arms. The base length for all models is 48 inches, providing the same storage capacity as the arms above.

  • Capacity per Level: The stated capacity per level refers to the weight that the arms can safely support. The base level, supported directly by the ground, offers an unlimited weight capacity. This means you can load as much lumber onto the base as it can physically accommodate. Many users utilize the base for their heaviest materials to make the most of its robust capacity.

These systems are designed to provide both durability and flexibility, ensuring you can efficiently store and organize your lumber inventory while optimizing your workspace.

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Get a woodworking rack that is built to last and built to accommodate even large-scale storage needs. Our lumber racks are made in the USA with highest-quality materials and craftsmanship. Keep your shop organized and clutter free and keep your lumber protected and properly stored with a custom, DC Graves cantilever lumber rack. If you don’t see a configuration here that suits your needs, you can design your own base on the measurements you need. For more assistance, we would be happy to consult you on the best layout for your space–just give us a call at 1-800-969-0779.