Understanding the Parts of a Pallet

Wooden pallets are built from three main parts: top deck boards, stringers (or blocks), and bottom deck boards. These components are fastened together using nails, staples, or screws. Understanding these components is crucial for anyone involved in the pallet industry, from supply chain leaders to manufacturers and recyclers. This article will define each component and answer common questions.

What are deck boards?

Deck boards are the wooden (flat) boards that comprise the top and bottom of a wooden pallet. They are usually fastened to the wooden stringers using heavy-duty industrial nails or screws. Deck boards can be manufactured out of softwood or hardwood lumber.

Click here to learn more about the importance of deck board thickness and density in wooden pallet manufacturing.

What are stringers?

Stringers are the vertical supports that connect the top and bottom decks of a pallet. They provide the main structural support for the top deck boards. They can be continuous, solid beams or have notches for added strength.

Click here to learn more about notched stringer pallets.

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What are blocks?

Blocks are made from solid wood and support the top deck boards in a wooden pallet while dispersing the unit load across the pallet, similar to stringers. They are typically arranged in a three-by-three grid.

Click here to learn more about which block pallets you can buy from Kamps.

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What are the fasteners used in a wooden pallet?

In pallet manufacturing, fasteners typically include driven nails and staples, as well as bolts, wood screws, and lag screws.

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Pallet parts found in recycled pallets

Recycled pallets, whether reconditioned or remanufactured, sometimes require strategic repairs in order to restore the integrity of the pallet. Due to these strategic repairs, you may see additional components on a recycled pallet that you wouldn’t on a brand-new product.

• Companion Stringers – Companion stringers, also known as plugs, are short pieces of wood inserted into existing stringers to repair and reinforce wooden pallets, extending their lifespan.
• Staples - Staples are typically used when repairing minor cracks or damages to the stringer. They also prevent the crack or damage from worsening.