MetroMax i vs Q vs 4 vs Super Erecta: Which Metro Shelving?
A side-by-side guide to Metro’s polymer shelving lines and how they compare with Super Erecta wire — corrosion resistance, cleaning, capacity, cost and where each belongs — then design and price it in the Metro Polymer Shelving BuildQuote.
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MetroMax polymer lines
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Shared wire alternative
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Rust on polymer shelves
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Metro online designers
Why Metro Makes Three Polymer Lines
Wire shelving is the right answer for most dry storage, but it has a weakness: water. Condensation in coolers, wash-down in prep areas, brine, chemicals and humidity eventually attack chrome and, over many years, coated wire too. Metro’s answer is MetroMax — shelving with polymer shelf mats that cannot rust, lift out for washing and sit on corrosion-resistant frames and posts.
MetroMax is not one product. MetroMax i is the premium line, MetroMax Q is the value line and MetroMax 4 is the lighter, easy-assembly line. All three solve corrosion; they differ in capacity, frame construction, accessories and cost. Super Erecta wire, in Metroseal epoxy or stainless, remains the main alternative and is often the better fit for dry or mixed rooms.
We have specified Metro shelving for kitchens, hospitals, labs and cold storage across the West from Salt Lake City since 1997. When you know roughly what you need, the Metro Polymer Shelving BuildQuote builds a valid unit with freight to your dock.
MetroMax i vs MetroMax Q vs MetroMax 4 vs Super Erecta
| Feature | MetroMax i | MetroMax Q | MetroMax 4 | Super Erecta (epoxy / stainless) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Premium, heaviest duty | Value polymer | Light, quick assembly | Wire standard |
| Shelf | Removable open-grid polymer mats on a frame | Removable polymer mats on a frame | Polymer shelves on MetroMax 4 frames | Open wire |
| Corrosion | Will not rust | Will not rust | Will not rust | Epoxy resists; stainless best |
| Cleaning | Mats lift out for dishwasher or sink | Mats lift out | Wipe or wash; confirm mat removal on current spec sheet | Wipe down; stainless tolerates wash-down |
| Capacity | Highest of the polymer lines (confirm spec sheet) | Moderate (confirm spec sheet) | Lighter duty (confirm spec sheet) | High, depends on size and finish |
| Accessories | Widest range: dividers, label holders, casters, security, track systems | Core accessories, can racks, carts | Core accessories, SmartWall kits | Very wide range |
| Best fit | Hospitals, SPD, walk-ins with heavy loads | Restaurant coolers and dry stores on a budget | Small walk-ins, back-of-house, wall systems | Dry stores, mixed rooms, stainless for wash-down |
Model names, capacities and accessory lists change, so treat this table as a starting point. The BuildQuote shows only valid sizes and accessories for each line, and we confirm the current spec sheet with every quote.
MetroMax i: The Premium Choice
MetroMax i is the line to pick when shelving carries heavy loads, is cleaned often and has to last. The open-grid mats let air and light through, so product stays dry and staff can see what is above. Mats lift out without tools and fit a commercial dishwasher, which is why hospitals, sterile processing departments and walk-in coolers use them. Posts are corrosion-resistant; confirm post construction on the current spec sheet.
MetroMax i also has the widest system around it: mobile units on polymer stem casters, utility carts, drying racks, Top-Track high-density track systems and security shelving with SlideSecure doors. If you are standardising a building, MetroMax i is the easiest line to extend later.
MetroMax i utility cartsTwo- and three-shelf polymer carts.
Polymer stem castersCorrosion-resistant casters for mobile units.
Label holdersClip-on labels for par-level storage.
Security shelvingSlideSecure sliding door for locked storage.MetroMax Q: Corrosion Resistance on a Budget
MetroMax Q brings removable polymer mats and rust-proof shelving to operations that do not need the top capacity of MetroMax i. It is a common choice for restaurant walk-in coolers, dry stores that get mopped, and back-of-house storage where budgets are tight. Q also includes purpose-built units such as can racks that rotate canned goods first-in, first-out, and two- and three-shelf utility carts.
If you are choosing between Q and i, the deciding factors are load and lifetime. Dense product, daily cleaning and a long service life point to MetroMax i. Moderate loads in a single cooler point to Q.
MetroMax Q cartsValue polymer utility carts.
Shelf dividersSeparate product on polymer shelves.
MetroMax postsCorrosion-resistant posts.MetroMax 4: Light, Simple and Quick to Assemble
MetroMax 4 is the lightest of the three and is designed for fast, simple assembly. It suits small walk-ins, convenience and quick-service back rooms, and wall systems: MetroMax 4 shelves are used in many SmartWall kits. It still cannot rust and is easy to clean, but it is not the line for very heavy or dense product. Our wall-shelving guide covers SmartWall and SmartLever wall shelving in more detail.
When Super Erecta Wire Is the Better Answer
Polymer is not automatically better. Super Erecta wire is lighter, often costs less, and gives the most open airflow and visibility. In dry storage, chrome or Brite is the economical choice. In coolers, Metroseal epoxy is the long-standing standard. Where shelving is washed down or exposed to chemicals, stainless Super Erecta matches polymer for corrosion resistance and adds a metal look. Stainless swaged posts are made for cart-wash and autoclave use.
Our finish guide compares chrome, Metroseal epoxy and stainless wire finishes, and the general plastic shelving page covers polymer shelving from several manufacturers.
Stainless swaged postsFor cart wash and autoclave.
Enclosure panelsClose in MetroMax shelving sides and back.Choosing by Room
| Room | First choice | Also consider |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in cooler, heavy cases | MetroMax i | Super Erecta Metroseal epoxy |
| Walk-in cooler, moderate loads | MetroMax Q | MetroMax 4 |
| Freezer | MetroMax i or Metroseal epoxy | Stainless Super Erecta |
| Dish room and wash-down areas | MetroMax i or stainless wire | MetroMax Q |
| Hospital clean supply and SPD | MetroMax i | Stainless wire |
| Dry store | Chrome or Brite Super Erecta | MetroMax Q |
| Small back room or wall storage | MetroMax 4 / SmartWall | Super Erecta wall mounts |
| Vivarium, cold room or lab | MetroMax i | Stainless wire |
Three questions settle most choices. Will the shelving get wet? If not, wire is usually the better value. How heavy and dense is the product? Heavy points to MetroMax i or wire. How will it be cleaned? Removable mats are the biggest practical advantage of MetroMax i and Q in a kitchen or hospital.
Design & price it online: Metro Polymer Shelving BuildQuote
Pick MetroMax i, Q or 4 (or compare against epoxy and stainless wire), set sizes, shelves, posts and casters, and the Metro Polymer Shelving designer validates the unit, totals it and rates freight to your ZIP. Save and share the quote.
Design & Price It Online All Metro Designers Call (800) 326-4403
Planning a Polymer Shelving Layout
- Measure the room, door swing and evaporator or sprinkler clearance before picking post height
- Keep the bottom shelf at least 6 inches off the floor in food areas for cleaning
- Use 18 inch depth for most cases and 24 inch only for large boxes
- Choose shorter shelf lengths where product is dense to keep capacity margin
- Plan mobile units for areas that are hosed down, so shelving can be rolled out
- Add label holders and dividers at the start; retrofitting takes longer
- In seismic zones, ask about seismic kits and floor anchoring
Mixing lines in one building is fine, but keep each unit to one line: MetroMax i, Q and 4 parts are not all interchangeable with each other or with Super Erecta posts. If you expect to add Top-Track high-density storage or security units later, standardise on MetroMax i now.
Upfront Cost vs Lifetime Cost
Polymer shelving usually costs more than chrome wire of the same size, and MetroMax i costs more than Q or 4. The comparison that matters, though, is cost over the life of the room. Chrome in a cooler often needs replacing within a few years once rust appears, and rusty shelving is a common health-inspection finding. Epoxy lasts much longer but can chip where it is scrubbed. Polymer mats do not rust at all, and if a mat is damaged it can be replaced on its own rather than replacing the whole shelf.
| Cost factor | Chrome wire | Metroseal epoxy | MetroMax polymer | Stainless wire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront | Lowest | Low to moderate | Moderate to higher | Highest |
| Life in a wet cooler | Short | Long | Long | Long |
| Cleaning labour | Wipe in place | Wipe in place | Mats washed in a dishwasher | Wipe or wash down |
| Repair | Replace shelf | Replace shelf | Replace a mat | Rarely needed |
As a rule of thumb, if shelving lives in a wet or washed room for more than a few years, the lifetime cost of polymer or stainless is lower than replacing chrome. In a dry stock room the opposite is true: chrome or Brite wire is the sensible spend.
MetroMax in Hospitals, Labs and Vivaria
Healthcare and research buyers usually look at MetroMax i first because of how it is cleaned. In sterile processing, clean supply rooms and cold rooms, shelving is wiped with disinfectants daily and sometimes run through a cart washer when mobile. Removable mats, smooth polymer surfaces and corrosion-resistant posts handle that routine without the coating damage you see on wire over time. Mobile MetroMax i units on cart-washable casters can go through the washer as a complete unit.
Check your facility’s chemical list against the care guide, since some strong solvents are not recommended on polymer. For research cold rooms and vivaria, polymer also avoids the rust stains that appear on wire after years of condensation. Our team can confirm cleaning compatibility and caster options for your washer before you order.
Shop MetroMax Shelving Online
Buy select items directly from our online store, or request a quote for volume, custom sizes and freight-rated orders.
Putting MetroMax on wheels? Our Metro mobile shelving & stem caster guide covers caster posts and caster types.
MetroMax Comparison FAQ
What is the difference between MetroMax i, Q and 4?
Is MetroMax better than Super Erecta wire?
Can MetroMax shelf mats go in a dishwasher?
Which MetroMax line is best for a walk-in cooler?
Can I mix MetroMax and Super Erecta parts?
Does MetroMax work in freezers?
Is MetroMax worth the extra cost over chrome?
Can I price MetroMax shelving online?
Choose Your Metro Shelving Line
Design it in the Metro Polymer Shelving BuildQuote or ask a specialist to match a line to each room. Call (800) 326-4403 or request a quote online.