Pallet racking and cantilever racking solve different problems. Pallet racking holds unit loads on horizontal beams, usually two pallets deep per bay in selective systems. Cantilever racking holds long items on arms that stick out from a column. The right choice depends on what you're storing, not which one looks more common in a warehouse photo.
Pallet racking works well for boxed goods, palletized inventory, and anything that sits on a standard pallet and can be picked from the front of a bay. It's the default for distribution centres and most general warehousing. You can add wire decking, pallet supports, and different beam levels as needed.
Cantilever racking works when the load is long and not on a pallet, or when pallets aren't practical. Pipe, bar stock, extrusions, and bundled lumber are typical examples. You load and unload from the arms, often with a forklift or overhead crane depending on weight.
Floor space usage differs. Pallet racking needs aisle width for forklift turning and pallet placement. Cantilever can store long material with less vertical stacking but may need wider aisles if you're handling long pipe with a crane or large forklift.
Cost, lead time, and permitting can vary between the two. Both need proper capacity ratings and safe installation. In BC industrial projects, we've seen facilities run both systems in different zones: pallet racking in the warehouse area and cantilever in the production or yard storage area. Matching the system to the material is the main decision.