steel or plastic shelves in garage
 

Any problems with steel shelves in the garage and the florida humidity

Steel Shelves Work Fine In Garage Suggest Wood plates under the uprights
 

We have steel shelves that were purchased in 2000 and used in NJ for 2 years, then NC for 14 years, and now in FL for 8 yrs. We just disassembled, moved and reassembled. We used scrap wood pieces which we put under the uprights so that steel was above the concrete to avoid rust spots. The shelves have wood inserts made of OSB type material. There are some marks from leaking stored material but garage environment is not a problem for the shelves.
FL garages are hotter than outside but the relative humidity is actually less than outside. The water content in the garage air is the same as outside, but the increased temperature actually reduces the relative humidity so it is "drier" so to speak. Mold and rusting are not a problem as long as you do not create puddles with bringing a wet car into the garage.

Baker's rack stainless steel for 3 years in garage-no problem. Was from Lowes.

I have metal cabinets since 2013, NO rust (from Home Depot and needed assembly), chrome plated shelving for several years, also no rust, and recently installed wire rack shelving that was previously installed in another garage, also with no rust.

Both will work, have had steel shelving in Va and did rust some but here we have plastic which was easier to install at my advanced age.

I've used the same metal shelves for 6 years and I've seen no sign of rust. One consideration is that plastic becomes brittle faster in very hot environments.

I have the galvanized steel racks with wheels on the bottom. No issues...

Same here with wheels.

I used shelving kits from two by four basics. Very easy to custom build and will pass the test of time. Best of luck with your project.

Plastic or metal
 

I recommend metal shelves on wheels. I got mine from Costco. The wheels make it easy to move for cleaning and I have not had any issues with rust. Plastic will sag and become brittle over time.
My 2 cents

I just repliaced my plastic shelves, which became brittle and started to break, with steal shelves. I feel the steal shelves take up a little less room.

Rollie

Look for the wire shelves that are made for walk-in refrigerators you can order them from Amazon. That’s what I have and no problems.

We bought good quality plastic shelves for the garage 23 years ago. They are still going strong. Good quality plastic made for the garage are worth buying. We bought ours at Home Depot.

What’s a Costco?

Have six foot shelves from Costco for four years now, 👀 like new.

Take down those horrific builders-grade wire shelves from clothes closets are re-use in garage. Yes, putting metal shelving units up on wood is good. Use vertical space as much as possible. Remember to allow side space for vehicle door opening.

If you have a water softener, they will rust, especially the nuts and bolts/screws.

Rust?
 

If the washer and dryer are in the garage I would be concerned about the potential for rust from any condensation.

I would say they’re OK if they have baked on paint!

Our washer and dryer is in the garage, and since the dryer is vented outdoors there really isn’t any additional moisture added to the air.
Before I moved to Florida, I thought rust on tools etc. might be a problem because of humid weather. In my experience I’ve been pleasantly surprised that it hasn’t been a problem at all.
I had more rust problems up north because of melting snow and the salt used on the roads in winter.

Painted wire metal shelves, no rust at all.

Good question, as I am currently looking to buy at lease 1 decent garage shelving unit. I would go with the kind with doors though to avoid dust inside.

Thanks for all your he help, some steel shelves will be in the garage when we finish our build and we finally get down to our new home

Sell the junk you are about to place on those and use that money to offset your higher home insurance. You'll have less to collect dust, more room to move about, and more money for next year's premium.

Never ANY problem with steel shelves in 12 years here. Added some wood to some cheap metal shelves for added strength and they hold a lot of weight and have lasted a long time.

we have lived in Central FL for the last 35 years and the steel shelving has stood up just fine

We bought Husky steel cabinets from Home Depot, these are you assemble, but they still look new after 10 years in the garage.