Cantilever racking is built for long loads. Pipe, tubing, lumber, steel sections, drywall, and similar materials don't fit well on standard pallet racking. Cantilever arms extend from a vertical column so you can store length without stacking on the floor or blocking aisles.
Each system has upright columns, a base, and horizontal arms that hold the load. Arms can be adjusted for different heights. Single-sided racks sit against a wall. Double-sided racks have arms on both sides of the column and work in the middle of a floor.
You should consider cantilever racking when your material is long, relatively uniform, and picked by crane, forklift, or manually from the arms. Manufacturing plants storing pipe are a common example. Lumber yards, steel service centres, and construction supply yards use the same principle.
Load capacity matters. Arms and columns are rated for specific weights, and overloading is a real safety issue. The layout also needs enough aisle space for whatever equipment moves the material. In BC, taller or heavier systems may need engineering and permits depending on the municipality and the building.
Cantilever is not the right choice for palletized goods or small parts stored in bins. For that, selective pallet racking or shelving is usually a better fit. If you're not sure which system fits your facility, it comes down to what you're storing, how you pick it, and what your floor space looks like.