Running out of archive storage space is one of those problems that creeps up on you. One day you’re fine, the next you’re stacking boxes in corridors and eyeing up that broom cupboard with suspicious intent. The knee-jerk reaction? Start looking at bigger premises, costly extensions, or off-site storage contracts that drain your budget month after month.

But here’s the thing: you probably have far more usable archive storage space than you realise. The issue isn’t the size of your room, it’s how you’re using it. And for most businesses, the culprit is good old-fashioned static shelving.

Let’s talk about how Roller Racking (also known as Mobile Shelving) can genuinely double your archive storage capacity without knocking down a single wall.

The Problem with Static Shelving

Traditional static shelving is everywhere. It’s familiar, it’s affordable upfront, and it does the job, sort of. But take a step back and look at your archive room objectively. What do you actually see?

Aisles. Lots of them.

Every row of static shelving needs its own dedicated aisle so people can access the contents. That’s fine if you’re using every aisle simultaneously, but let’s be honest, how often does that happen? In most archive environments, you’re only ever in one aisle at a time. The rest of that floor space is just… sitting there. Waiting. Doing nothing.

Here’s a rough breakdown of where your space goes with static shelving:

• Shelving units: Around 40–45% of your floor area
• Fixed aisles: A whopping 55–60% of your floor area

That means more than half of your archive room is essentially wasted on empty walkways. It’s like paying rent on a flat where you can only use the kitchen.

Enter Roller Racking: The Single-Aisle Solution

Roller Racking flips the script entirely. Instead of bolting shelving units to the floor with permanent aisles between them, the shelves are mounted on mobile carriages that glide along floor-mounted tracks.

When you need to access a particular bay, you simply move the units apart to create an aisle exactly where you need it. When you’re done, you push everything back together again. The shelves compact tightly, eliminating all those redundant fixed aisles.

Think of it as on-demand access. One movable aisle serves an entire bank of shelving. It’s clever, it’s practical, and it works brilliantly.

The magic here is simple maths:

• Static shelving = multiple fixed aisles
• Roller Racking = one movable aisle

By removing the need for dedicated walkways between every row, you’re reclaiming all that dead space and filling it with actual archive storage instead. The result? You can fit significantly more shelving into the same footprint.

How Much Space Can You Actually Save?

Let’s get specific, because “more storage” is a bit vague.

With a well-designed Mobile Shelving system, you can realistically achieve a 100% increase in storage capacity compared to conventional archive shelving in the same room. Yes, genuinely double.

Some installations go even further by utilising vertical height. High-density archive storage systems can extend upwards to make the most of tall ceilings, perfect for warehouses or purpose-built archive facilities. Combined with adjustable shelf heights, you can optimise every cubic centimetre for your specific storage needs, whether that’s archive boxes, lever arch files, or oversized document folders.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Static Shelving –  40–45% of floor space

Roller Racking – 80–90% of floor space 

That’s not a marginal improvement. That’s transformational.

Smooth Operation: Easier Than You’d Think

If you’re picturing heavy, clunky units that take three people to budge, think again. Modern Roller Racking systems are engineered for effortless movement.

The shelving units run on precision floor tracks, often called Monotrak or Multitrak systems depending on the configuration, that distribute weight evenly and allow smooth, low-effort operation. Even fully loaded bays glide with a gentle push.

You’ve also got options:

• Manual operation: A simple handle or hand-wheel lets you open aisles with minimal effort. Great for smaller installations or lower-traffic archives.
• Mechanical-assist: Geared systems that make moving heavier loads feel effortless.
• Electronic/powered: Push-button or even automated systems for high-traffic environments where speed and convenience are priorities.

The tracks are installed flush with the floor, so there’s no awkward step-up or trip hazard. And because the system is modular, it can be configured to fit virtually any room shape, including those awkward L-shaped spaces or rooms with pillars.

It’s Not Just for Boxes

When people hear “archive storage” they often picture rows of cardboard boxes filled with dusty paperwork. And yes, Roller Racking handles that beautifully. But the versatility goes much further.

Mobile Shelving is used across a huge range of sectors:

• Libraries and universities: For book collections, journals, and research materials
• Museums and galleries: Climate-controlled roller systems protect delicate artefacts, textiles, and artwork
• Healthcare: Patient records, pharmaceutical stock, and medical supplies
• Legal and financial firms: Secure document storage with controlled access
• Engineering and manufacturing: Heavy parts, tools, and technical drawings

The shelving itself can be customised with different shelf depths, dividers, pull-out drawers, and hanging rails. You’re not locked into a one-size-fits-all approach. At Rackline, we work with businesses to design archive storage solutions that match exactly what they need to store, not the other way around.

The Real Cost Efficiency

Here’s where it gets interesting from a financial perspective.

Yes, Roller Racking has a higher upfront cost than basic static shelving. But zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

What does running out of space actually cost you?

• Moving to larger premises: Relocation costs, higher rent, business disruption
• Building an extension: Planning permission, construction, downtime
• Off-site storage contracts: Ongoing monthly fees, retrieval delays, security concerns
• Productivity loss: Staff wasting time searching through poorly organised, overcrowded archives

A single investment in high-density archive storage can eliminate or postpone all of these expenses. You’re maximising your existing real estate rather than paying for more of it.

For many businesses, the payback period is surprisingly short. When you factor in avoided rent increases, cancelled off-site storage contracts, and improved staff efficiency, Mobile Shelving often pays for itself within a few years: sometimes sooner.

Planning Your Storage Design

If you’re considering Roller Racking for your archive, here are a few practical tips:

1. Measure everything: Ceiling height matters as much as floor space. Taller systems mean more capacity.
2. Assess your load: What are you storing? Boxes of paper are heavy. The system needs to be specified correctly.
3. Think about access frequency: High-traffic archives might benefit from powered systems; occasional-access stores work fine with manual.
4. Consider future growth: A good storage design leaves room for expansion or reconfiguration.
5. Check your floor: Roller racking systems need a solid, level floor. Most commercial floors are fine, but it’s worth checking.

If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch with us. We’re happy to chat through your requirements and help you figure out what’s realistic for your space and budget.

Ready to Reclaim Your Space?

Doubling your archive storage without expanding your floor space isn’t a fantasy: it’s what Roller Racking was designed to do. By ditching the wasteful fixed aisles of static shelving and switching to a compact, mobile system, you unlock capacity you didn’t know you had.

It’s a smarter way to store. And it might just save you from that expensive move you’ve been dreading.

If you’d like advice on Mobile Shelving, high-density storage, or any aspect of archive organisation, the team at Rackline is here to help. Drop us an email to: info@rackline.co.uk, call us on: 01782 770144 or filling the form below and one of our team will be in touch.