Wood pallets are essential for suppliers and distributors in the food industry. Wooden pallet manufacturers ensure that wood pallets are durable. They are meant to last much longer than other materials like plastic, have a great load-bearing capacity, and are pretty affordable. Wood pallets have a bottom and top deck board, which are firmly held together by three runners. Wood pallets are mainly made of decking lumber that is fastened with either nails or screws. Some wood pallets don’t have deck board strips on top; instead, they have panels. There are several different styles of wood pallets. They have three to four forklift entry points and have full decking on the bottom, both top and bottom or top.
Wood pallets can be resold or reused and are great for storage and transportation. They are light in weight and come in a wide variety of wood options. The most significant advantage offered by wooden pallets is that they have much higher friction than metal pallets, and plastic and they have a strong grip also. The only downside of a wooden pallet is that it gets completely damaged when wet and is highly susceptible to chemical and bacterial infections. These risks can be mitigated by using certified wooden pallets which have been fumigated with methyl bromide and branded with a mark of compliance.
Are Wood Pallets Damage Resistant?
Wood Pallets can withstand harsh weather conditions like heavy winds, rainfall, and sun exposure. However, if the pallets are kept outside for a long time, they will rot over time. Wood is porous and absorbs moisture, and over time, the humidity will damage the pallet’s structural integrity. Wear and tear can make a wood pallet unusable by warping, loosening pallet boards, or cracking. Hence, take care of these things:
- Keep the wood pallets off the ground.
- Make sure there is good airflow.
- Keep on rotating the stock.
- Keep moving the pallets from time to time.
What Happens To Wood Pallets When Left Outside?
If you wish to keep your wooden pallets outside, you can do this for a couple of months before your pallet starts rotting. If you’re planning to store them for a longer duration, ensure that you keep them in a cool and dry area with no sunlight to maintain their quality intact.
Are Wood Pallets Weather Resistant?
Wood is one of the most sustainable and durable materials. However, it has to be treated to prevent the harsh weather conditions from affecting the surface. It has to be treated while adhering to International Plant Protection Convention rules and regulations.
Most wood pallets are treated with heat, but heat treatment can only eliminate any bugs present on the wooden surface. But, to make sure all the impurities are removed, several treatments are also implemented.
You can apply various varnishes or use different finishes to keep the wood pallet’s quality intact and make it more durable. Most packaging and distributing companies don’t apply coats or finishes. Upcyclers or recyclers would want their pallet to be durable and last longer. Although wood pallets offer tons of benefits, the choice to use them ultimately depends on the pallet’s purpose.
Common Industrial use
The typical industrial use of wood pallets is for food and drug administration, storage, and export purposes. Wood pallets are also used for storing lighter, non-biodegradable, and sealed materials. They can be repurposed for wood furniture like a bed frame or coffee table. Wood pallets are cost-effective as they come with an extended lifecycle. They are relatively sturdier and lightweight and sustain lesser damage than other types of pallets. They are also easier to repair, which makes them an excellent choice for numerous purposes.
Wood Pallets Versus Plastic Pallets
As compared to plastic pallets, wood pallets are more durable, easier to work with, and provide better friction. Wooden pallets are also inexpensive. Here is a list of specific benefits that wood pallets offer:
- It can be easily repaired.
- It can be made out of recycled materials.
- Offer better friction and hence are slip-resistant.
- More environment-friendly.
- It can be recycled and converted to mulch.
- The preferred choice of most industry experts.
At Unaka Pallets, we offer a wide variety of high-grade pallets. We have a reputation for workmanship and integrity. We use second-hand and recyclable materials wherever possible. We can also:
- Custom-build pallets of all shapes and sizes you require.
- Offer quick delivery.
- All our products are environment-friendly.
- Our efforts have channelized waste materials from accumulating in landfills every year.
