Pallets are built with varied construction techniques. The materials commonly used in the construction of pallets are wood (softwood and hardwood) and plastic (high density polyethylene). Metals (steel and aluminum) are also used but less frequently.
The low cost softwood pallet---made of softwoods like pine and spruce---is used for light cargo and it is expendable. The hardwood pallet---made of hardwoods like ash and maple---costs more but has greater strength than the softwood pallet, and is good for repeated use.
The wooden pallet is often customized to suit the type, size and weight of the exporter's cargo and to meet handling and loading requirements.
The plastic pallet generally costs more than a wooden pallet of the same size, but it is chemical and moisture resistant, cleans easily, is lighter, and will not splinter. Hence, the plastic pallet is more durable than the wooden pallet. Nevertheless, the wooden pallet is used most often in export shipments.
Basic Pallet Designs
Two-Way or Four-Way Pallets
A two-way pallet allows forking at the two opposite sides of the pallet, while a four-way pallet allows forking at all four sides. The four-way pallet is good for both pallet orientations [1] and [2].
Single-Faced or Double-Faced Pallets
A single-faced pallet has one full deck (i.e., non-reversible deck), which is often called a skid, while a double-faced pallet has two full decks (i.e., reversible decks). The double-faced pallet is ideal for stack loading, racking of palletized cargo, and conveyor use.
With Forklift Pockets or With Forklift or Pallet Truck Entries
Pallets with the forklift pockets allow forking with a forklift, while pallets with the forklift or pallet truck entries allow forking with either a forklift or a pallet truck. Some pallets are designed with forklift pockets that also permit forking with a pallet truck, in which the rollers beneath the forks of the pallet truck can come in firm contact with the floor of warehouse and container.
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