Definition
A pallet that has deck boards on only one side (the top), with the stringers or blocks exposed on the bottom. Single-face pallets are lighter, less expensive, and use less lumber than double-face designs. They are suitable for light-duty applications, one-way shipping, and situations where the pallet will always rest on a flat surface. However, they are not recommended for racking or stacking because the exposed stringers can damage goods below.
Related Terms
Double Face
A pallet that has deck boards on both its top and bottom surfaces, providing load-bearing surfaces on each side. Double-face pallets offer improved stability in stacking and racking applications compared to single-face designs. They can be further classified as reversible (usable with either side up) or non-reversible (designed with a specific top and bottom orientation). Double-face construction is the standard for most warehouse and shipping pallets.
Double Deck
A pallet configuration that features deck boards on both the top and bottom surfaces. Double-deck pallets (also called double-faced pallets) have bottom boards that provide a more stable base for stacking and improve weight distribution on racking and conveyors. The bottom deck also protects goods on the pallet below when loads are stacked. Most commercial pallets are double-deck designs.
Expendable Pallet
A low-cost pallet intended for a single use, designed to be discarded or recycled after one shipping cycle rather than returned or reused. Expendable pallets are built from inexpensive materials such as lightweight wood, corrugated fiberboard, or molded pressed wood. They are common in export shipping where return logistics are impractical and in promotional displays where the pallet is not expected to survive beyond delivery.
Skid
A pallet-like platform that has no bottom deck boards, resting on runners or stringers that serve as the base. Skids are the historical predecessor to modern pallets and are still used in some heavy-duty applications. Because skids lack a bottom deck, they cannot be double-stacked safely and are not suitable for most racking systems. The terms "skid" and "pallet" are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation, though they are technically different structures.
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