If you’re someone who likes wood pelting, you may wonder how they’re made. It’s actually far more complicated than just grabbing a few scraps and throwing them together. It starts with what’s called pallet lumber, which plays a role in how the items all come together.
How they’re Made
They’re made from various types of wood and use different types of wood. There are two different types of wood that can be used, hardwood and softwood. Hardwood is from angiosperm trees, which are those trees that produce flowers and fruit. This is the deciduous trees you see that lose their leaves during the fall. Some evergreens also fall into this category.
The largest difference between hardwood and softwood is the presence of the pores that are there. Hardwood is much more complex, and their pores tend to be a lot smaller, hence why they cost more. Softwood comes from gymnosperms, which are those that make fruit and flowers, and usually comes with seeds.
They don’t have pores, but instead something called resin canals. Conifers are the most common type. While hardwood is stronger, they are both very hardy items, and some like balsa trees which are hardwood, tend to be weaker than softwood.
So when choosing pallet lumber, they combine both of these, since a lot of times, it works best. It’s also why, if you ask someone what type of lumber they’re using in their pallets, they may not give you a straight answer. It’s because they may not even know!
Types of Hardwoods Utilized in Pallets
Oak is the first type, and usually is used because it’s available a lot more than other types, so it’s perfect. It also is ideal for heavy and fragile items.
Popular is the other one. Popular is utilized in a lot of lumbar that’s construction grade. Cabinets, trim work, even hardwood toys are made from this. It is also very easy to work with, since it functions like a softwood, despite being a hardwood, so it’s one of the best for that alone.
Softwood Types
Softwood types vary, but the most popular is one called the southern yellow pine.
These are trees that grow in the mid-Atlantic and the southern parts of the US.
They’re a type of pine that includes:
Shortleaf and longleaf pines
Slash pine
Loblolly pines
Along with pallets, it’s used in construction of roller coasters made of wood, since they have the highest dentistry value, which is about 50 to 55 pounds for each cubic foot.
It’s also very easy to dry and is also workable for shipping anything from food to pharmaceutical products.
Fir trees are another one that’s used a lot. They’re used in a lot of instances to make plywood, and are utilized in drywall inside, or framing. It also prevents insects and is not susceptible to decay.
It does only last about 12 months outside, especially in outdoor places, which is why you’ll see these trees in interior projects
Benefits of Pallets
Pallets are great for a lot of people for different reasons.
They’re easy on your wallet, since timber tends to be pretty affordable compared to other pallet materials, such as steel and plastic.
They are also very easy to repair. You can’t really repair a plastic pallet, but wood is much easier to repair with the nails and wood that’s there.
Finally, they’re sustainable. You can recycle these, and they work well.
Wood pallets are great, and they are something every business should consider for their construction needs too.
