Question 1

How much do used pallets cost?

Accepted Answer

Used pallets can cost less than brand new pallets, however, the quality of the material and the projected lifespan of the product will always be lower. Although there are some companies selling used pallets in large amounts, the sources of these pallets can rarely be confirmed and their service history is also usually unknown. This will leave doubts in the buyer’s mind as to the level of quality that they are purchasing and the longevity of the wooden pallet.

Question 2

What is the average size of a wooden pallet?

Accepted Answer

The average size of a wooden pallet is 800 mm wide, 1200 mm long and 144 mm tall.

The size of pallets is kept consistent around the world to ensure that the same industry-standard equipment can be used to move it at every stop in the supply chain. Although this is considered the standard pallet size, there are other custom pallet sizes that are used to deal with larger loads.

Question 3

How tall are wooden pallets?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets are 144 mm tall as standard, although custom-built wooden pallets may come in different heights depending on the purpose they have been designed for. Each pallet is comprised of pieces known as ‘stringers’, in order to maintain uniformity and guarantee universal use. Each one of these stringers is between 22 and 24 mm.

Question 4

How wide is a standard wooden pallet?

Accepted Answer

A standard wooden pallet is 800 mm wide, but there are other sizes that they can be built to. Wooden pallets have been roughly this size since their inception, as this width made them easily fit through most doors, especially those of railway cars, which were the most common form of transport for goods at one point.

Question 5

Are all wooden pallets the same size?

Accepted Answer

Not all wooden pallets are the same size, however, a standard size is used throughout the import/export industry in order to keep the movement goods fluid. By keeping wooden pallets the same size, those involved in transporting and storing goods using them can use the same equipment to move them and can also calculate the space that they have to work with.

Question 6

How heavy is a standard wooden pallet?

Accepted Answer

A standard wooden pallet weight between 15 and 22kg, however, the exact weight will largely depend on the purpose that it has been built for, its design and the type of wood used to make it. For example, softwood pallets weigh less than hardwood pallets, which are much denser and more resilient.

Question 7

How long do wooden pallets last?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets can last for 10 years, depending on the material that they are made of, the amount of use they are subjected to and also where they are stored. Whilst some wooden pallets are built constructed using less durable species of wood, these can still last for over a decade if kept in dry conditions.

Question 8

What is a wooden pallet used for?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets are predominantly used for the transport of fragile goods or small parts. Although rarely made of high-quality woods, their strong structural design means they can carry weights of up to 1400lbs. Wooden pallets can also be used in upcycling projects to create outdoor furniture and indoor decor.

Question 9

Is taking wooden pallets illegal?

Accepted Answer

It is illegal to take wooden pallets that do not belong to you. Although wooden pallets can sometimes be left by businesses in front of premises, seemingly open to the public, this is not an invitation for them to be taken. Pallet theft is a common problem across the world, it’s always recommended to store pallets securely to prevent this happening.

Question 10

Are wooden pallets hygienic?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets have been proven to be as hygienic as plastic pallets. Whilst suggestions have been made within the export industry that wooden pallets are not as hygienic or as easy to clean as plastic pallets when a study was undertaken to assess the hygiene properties of both materials it was discovered that there was a negligible difference between the two. The research concluded that the distinction made regarding hygiene between plastic and wooden pallets was justified.

Question 11

Can wooden pallets be carried in aircraft?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets can be carried in aircraft, however, any wooden pallet used for international trade should be ISPM treated and stamped in order to be shipped overseas. This process can be undertaken on all wooden pallets.

Question 12

Can wooden pallets hold a car weight?

Accepted Answer

A standard sized wooden pallet can hold 4,600 lbs or approximately 2086 kg, which is the weight of a small car. For example, a new Mini Cooper weights between 1,210-1440 kg. Given that the correct surface area was used, wooden pallets should be able to hold the weight of most cars this size.

Question 13

Can you put a shed on wooden pallets?

Accepted Answer

You can put a shed on treated wooden pallets as a foundation, this can help stabilise a shed and also protect is from soaking up ground moisture. Most treated pallets are unsuitable for outdoor use, however, they are good materials to use outdoors, especially for adding structural integrity to an outbuilding such as a shed or a greenhouse.

Question 14

How do you stack empty pallets?

Accepted Answer

Stack empty pallets by using a flat, level surface and always using lifting equipment. If empty wooden pallets must be stacked by hand then at least two people should do so and personal protective equipment, such as gloves and steel-toe capped boots. Only those trained for this task should perform it and wooden pallets should never be stacked by hand above head height.

In order to avoid stacks toppling over at a later date, it’s imperative that wooden pallets are stacked evenly and that only usable pallets are stacked. If a pallet has been damaged in any way then it is no longer suitable for storage and should be discarded, or repaired before being stored once more. Further guidance for the storage and stacking of empty pallets can be found in HSE guidance.

Question 15

How long will wooden pallets last outside?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets can last for 10 years if kept outside in dry conditions. If you are choosing to store your wooden pallets outside in the UK then it is unlikely that you will have guaranteed dry conditions for anything longer than a few weeks at a time. Keeping your wooden pallets outside and exposed to the elements will limit their lifespan significantly. The length of time would also depend on if and how they have been treated.

Question 16

What can be made out of wooden pallets?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets can be used to make many different objects for indoor and outdoor use. Whether you’re building outdoor furniture, or upcycling pallets to use in the garden, wooden pallets have the structural rigidity to be used in many different ways including:

Outdoor garden benches
Overhead racks for pots
Raised desktop
Base for an upholstered ottoman
Flower boxes for shelves or raised garden beds
A base for wall art
Pallet pathway made of stringers
A garden swing
Shoe storage

Question 17

Can you use pallet wood for flooring?

Accepted Answer

Pallet timber can be used for flooring, in order to do so each pallet will need to be of uniform material and wear. Due to the relative cheapness of timber used to make wooden pallets, they are often used to cover pre-existing vinyl or wooden floors. Once the floor has been laid, you may need to sand it down and varnish it, depending on the finish that you desire.

Question 18

How are wooden pallets treated?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets are commonly heat-treated to ensure that they are safe transit to other countries without the risk of transmitting plant diseases or invasive species of insects. The International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) requires that all wooden pallets used for international trade are kiln treated to their ISPM 15 standard before they are used.

Question 19

Are wooden pallets treated with chemicals?

Accepted Answer

Some wooden pallets can be treated with chemicals, depending on the use that they are being built for. The most common form of chemical treatment is Methyl bromide fumigation. This chemical is highly toxic and is now banned in many countries due to the health implications associated with it, however, it is a process that is still used in some parts of the world.

Question 20

Will wooden pallets rot on the ground?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets will rot if left on the ground, as the moisture from rain and from the earth will eventually deteriorate the durability of the wood until they rot, and become unusable. Wooden pallets are built with the intention of last two years at most, as such, they are constructed with perishable, or non-durable woods species. However, if they are kept in dry conditions then they may last up to 10 years.

Question 21

Can you use anything to protect wooden pallets?

Accepted Answer

You can use wood finishes, oils and seals to protect wooden pallets if you are using them to create outdoor furniture. Wooden pallets aren’t waterproof and need protection if you are keeping them out in the elements for an extended period of time.

The wooden pallets will first need to be cleaned thoroughly, removing any debris or dirt that has built up over time. You can then sand down the timber, which will make it easier to apply the wood finish coating after. You may wish to apply an additional wood finish coating before applying wood sealing or varnish to finish the job.

Question 22

How do you reseal wood pallets?

Accepted Answer

Reseal wooden pallets by using sanding sealer, a sanding sponge and polyurethane wood varnish. Ensure that all work is completed in a well ventilated space with the correct personal protective equipment.

Apply an even coat of sanding sealer to the pallet, following the direction of the grain. Wipe away any excess and allow to dry - this will take a few minutes. Then use a sanding sponge to create a dull, smooth surface across the pallet. Apply the wood varnish with a rag in the direction of the grain and then allow to cure overnight. The wood pallets will have to be sanded and then resealed once more in order to be reused.

Question 23

Should I treat a wooden pallet before painting it?

Accepted Answer

Wooden pallets do not have to be treated before they are painted, however you can choose to do so if you wish to achieve an even coat of paint. As wooden pallets are often porous, paint coats can often appear uneven. Using a primer paint can help fill in the grains of the wooden pallet, making any additional applications of paint better adhere to the surface. Before applying wood primer to a wooden pallet, the surfaces should be cleaned, sanded and dusted first.

Question 24

Is there a tool for dismantling wooden pallets?

Accepted Answer

Pallet dismantling bars have been designed to make this process more efficient. These purpose-built tools can make quick work of most pallets, however, they can often come at a cost and still require manual labour to use.

Heat Treated Pallets

Essential Guide for Export and Safe Use

What are Heat Treated Pallets?

Why Use Heat Treated Pallets?

Applications and Benefits of Heat Treated Pallets

Heat Treated Pallet Country Requirements

Why Choose Us?

What do we use to make our heat treated pallets?

Fully Compliant Shipping Pallets for Exporting

Our Process

FAQs

Can I burn heat-treated pallets?

How do I know if a pallet is heat treated?

What is the average size of a wooden pallet?

Are heat-treated pallets waterproof?

How are wooden pallets treated?

Are wooden pallets treated with chemicals?

Should I treat a wooden pallet before painting it?