Wood pallets are more sustainable and durable than plastic pallets. While plastic pallets definitely have a place in the industry, wood pallets are generally more sustainable and durable — which is why they are so popular.
But just how durable are wood pallets? What happens when they get wet? Are they waterproof? These are some of the most frequently asked questions, and we're going to answer them.
At Plain Pallets, we care about the environment. We provide high-quality new wooden pallets andused wood pallets in a range of sizes.
Frequently asked questions about wooden pallets
Wooden pallets are essential in packaging and distributing goods. They are built to last and are more affordable than plastic pallets. They hold more weight than the plastic variety and can be recycled.
Do pallets rot?
In the short-term, most wooden pallets can withstand weather conditions like rain and sun exposure. However, if pallets are stored outdoors for long periods of time, the wood will rot. To prevent pallets from rotting, you should:
- Keep pallets off the ground
- Ensure proper airflow
- Rotate the stock
- Move the pallets periodically (every few months)
To find out if the wood in your pallet is rotten, hit the boards with a hammer. Rotten boards will break in a straight line and look brittle.
How long do wooden pallets last outside?
If you want to store your wooden pallets outside, you can do so for a few months before noticing signs of mould or rot. If you're planning on storing them long-term, however, it's best to store them in a dry area, protected from sun exposure.
Can wood pallets get wet?
Untreated wood cannot get wet. But if you use wooden pallets which have been treated with weatherproofing chemicals, the wood can get wet as long as you move it to a dry place after.
Are wood pallets weatherproof?
All pallets used for imports and exports must be treated to comply with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPCC) regulations. Domestic pallets, however, may or may not be treated.
How do you weatherproof wood pallets?
Most wooden pallets will be heat treated, but this only serves to kill any bugs present in the wood. If you want to weatherproof wooden pallets, you need to use varnishes or finishes which will make it last longer outside.
Packing and distribution companies won't bother with applying finishes to wooden pallets, but DIY upcyclers and recyclers will want their pallet outdoor furniture to last. In this case, linseed or Tung oil create a beautiful protective hand-rubbed finish.
Wood versus plastic
People have been arguing over which type of pallet is better for years. But the truth is, both types of pallets are useful in different ways.
Wood pallets
Wood pallets can be made out of brand-new wood, but they're usually created from recycled or reclaimed timber. Often, wooden pallets can be sold on to be used for firewood, or DIY projects.
- More affordable
- Easy to repair
- Can be resold
- Can be made out of recycled materials
- Can be recycled into mulch
- More slip resistant than plastic pallets
Plastic pallets
While some argue plastic pallets are less environmentally friendly, now many manufacturers are creating products made out of recycled materials. Plastic pallets are also:
- Safe to handle — no screws, nails, or splinters
- Can be picked up by forklifts via four entryways
- Able to be used in all weather conditions
- Stack together compactly
- Easy to clean
- Lighter than wood pallets
Why choose Plain Pallets?
At Plain Pallets, we pride ourselves on our range of high-quality pallets. We back all our workmanship with a guarantee, and use second-hand and reclaimed materials wherever possible. We also:
- Custom build pallets to any shape or size you need
- Offer fast delivery all over Melbourne and Victoria
- Hold full public liability insurance which covers all custom made pallets
We care about the environment
Every year, we recycle 500 tonnes of recycled timber boards, which we use in creating new pallets. We also repurpose 6,000 pallets every week, and transform excess timber into garden mulch. Our efforts have diverted thousands of waste materials from ending up in landfill every year.
Get in touch with our friendly team if you'd like to find out more about our range of wooden pallets or receive a detailed quote.
FAQs
In the short-term, most wooden pallets can withstand weather conditions like rain and sun exposure. However, if pallets are stored outdoors for long periods of time, the wood will rot. To prevent pallets from rotting, you should: Keep pallets off the ground.
How strong are wooden pallets? ›
In many ways, standard wood pallets are a marvel. While no single piece of wood seems particularly strong, the standard pooled wood pallet has a 2800 pound dynamic capacity. That's almost one and a half tons.
What is the strength of a pallet? ›
Durability And Strength
Wooden pallets are designed to be strong enough to hold massive levels of weight. The average 36 x 36 pallet can withstand up to 4,700 lbs of weight alone. You can also invest in different types of pallets depending on the weight of the products requiring transport.
What is the quality of pallet wood? ›
Myth 2: Wood Pallets Consist of Low-Quality Wood
Wood pallets are quite durable and can be used multiple times before they need to be repaired or recycled.
Is it safe to make furniture out of pallets? ›
The good news is, while methyl bromide treated pallets are not safe to use for furniture projects, heat-treated pallets are. When pallets are heat-treated, no chemicals are used in the process, making them completely safe for people to use in commercial furniture projects.
Is pallet wood hard or soft? ›
Shipping pallets are usually made either from hardwoods like hickory, mahogany, maple, oak, teak, and walnut, or from various types of pine, which are softwoods. There are many pros and cons to consider when deciding to ship products on one of these woods.
How much weight can a wood pallet support? ›
The load capacity of the pallet can depend on many factors such as block or stringer and the number of blocks or stringers. However, the standard 48” x 40” pallet with 5/8” wood thickness can hold up to 4,600 lbs. This makes it an ideal pallet for grocery or retail.
How long will pallets last outside? ›
The average lifespan of a wood pallet is three to five years. Whether yours ends up on the short end or the long end of this span depends in part on how well it was made, but a bigger factor is how it is stored. If your only option is to store them outside, they will likely take a beating.
How much weight can a pallet hold? ›
How much weight can a standard pallet hold? A standard pallet can hold up to 4,600 lbs.
What is the strongest type of pallet? ›
Hard Wood Pallets:
These pallets are sturdier than their soft wood counterparts, and are put to long-term use by warehouse operators. Unlike stringer pallets, they can typically be lifted by four sides rather than two, and are more expensive.
How to Pack Your Pallet: Techniques for Improving Pallet Density...
- Tip 1: Heavy goods go first. ...
- Tip 2: Up to the edge, not over. ...
- Tip 3: Lay boxes like you'd lay bricks. ...
- Tip 4: Avoid the pyramid. ...
- Tip 5: Strap up. ...
- Tip 6: Don't skimp on shrinkwrap. ...
- Tip 7: Plan ahead and rethink if necessary.
Every inch counts. To increase the strength of a pallet spanning its length you could increase the width of stringers or thickness of stringer boards in block pallets. However, it is best to focus on the center stringer or stringer board because it supports most of the weight in storage racks.
Why not to use pallet wood? ›
Pallets are either heat-treated (heated to a high temperature in kilns to seal the wood) or treated with methyl bromide — a toxic pesticide that has been linked to human health problems and ozone layer depletion.
What grade is pallet wood? ›
The GMA grading system for recycled pallets divides pallets into two general categories, grade A and grade B; a third categorization, grade C, exists but is rarely used, as pallets in this category are reaching the end of their useful life and may not be as sturdy or reliable as those in the other two categories.
What size pallets are worth the most? ›
The Most Ideal Pallet Size for Buy-Back Programs
However, users have other options: pallets can get custom-made and used ones can get remade. Custom-sized pallets often require additional labor, materials, and work to create. The most valuable pallet size to sell through buy-back programs are rather GMA 48×40 pallets.
Are pallet boards strong? ›
If pallet boards are anything, they're strong. Manufacturers use industrial wood to make these wooden planks sturdy and reliable so that they can do their job moving different products. Depending on the pallet, pallets can be used to transport a few dozen pounds of product, to thousands of pounds of products.
Does pallet wood burn fast? ›
Pallet wood also burns fast, so the fire will burn out quickly and need regular refilling, so you may need more wood than you expect to supply your fire. If you do want to recycle wooden pallets as firewood, use the wood alongside other types of firewood or as kindling for a smaller fire.
Is it OK to burn pallet wood? ›
While some pallets constructed from untreated wood can be safely burned, many pallets are treated with pesticides, fumigants, or chemicals that prevent rotting or insect infestations. Painted pallets, those visibly contaminated, or pallets marked with the letters MB should never be burned.
