How To Choose The Pallets For Your Business
Pallets are often used to transport goods in a safe, effective, and supportive manner. If you have just started shipping large quantities of products for your business, then you may be looking to buy wood pallets right now. However, not all of them are made the same. You want to choose the correct pallets for your needs, so keep reading to understand how to pick them.
Consider Weight
Some people think that pallets are all made the same and with the same materials. However, this is not true. There are a few different types of wood used to make them and you will need to think about weight and strength when you decide which pallets are right for you. Ash, oak, pine, and fir wood are often used to make pallets.
If your products are light and you want to keep shipping costs down, then opt for pallets made from a light wood like pine, ash, or fir. Pine and fir are both soft wood, so they are the cheapest options. However, you should keep in mind that they are also weaker than other wood types. So if you intend on stacking pallets on top of one another or if you want to use them over and over again, then ash might be a better option. It is a hardwood, so it is stronger and able to retain more stress and pressure.
If you have heavy products or items that are fragile and in need of more support, then pick oak pallets. The wood is stronger and harder, but also more expensive. While they may cost you more and increase your shipping weight a bit, the pallets will last longer than the softer wood varieties.
If you need to clean pallets often, like if you store products outside before shipping, then look for plastic options. They can easily be cleaned with a hose and a bit of soap.
Choose The Space Between Deck Boards
There are a number of basic pallet components that you can change and choose from. This includes the space between the boards on the top of the pallet. The boards make up the deck, and the space between each one is called the deck spacing. If you have smaller products, then you will need to choose pallets with a smaller deck spacing. Keep in mind that this will mean the addition of more boards along the top of the pallet and an increase in cost.
If your products are larger, then deck space can likely be bigger. However, you may want to invest in pallets with blocks. Blocks are large pieces of wood that sit in each corner of the pallet and also along the middle of each side of the construction. This allows for the retention of more weight across the entire pallet.
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