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The Global Insight

Which wood is best for pallets?

Author

Sarah Garza

Updated on March 02, 2026

Because it is considered a high-density hardwood, oak is ideal for pallets that must haul heavier loads of fragile goods. Pine is also commonly used in pallets because softwoods tend to be more consistent in weight than hardwoods, giving the product a high strength to weight ratio.

What size lumber is used for pallets?

What is a standard pallet size? A standard pallet size is 48″ X 40″ with each deck board being 3 ½” wide 5/16″ thick.

What are pallet boards made of?

In North America there are largely only 2 types of wood that are used in pallet construction, the Southern Yellow Pine and Oak, but there are other types of soft woods that are used as well like Poplar and Fir. In India Mahogany is often used to craft pallets.

Why are pallets painted blue?

This served to help promote the​ return of empty pallets back to the pallet owner. The most recognizable pallet brand from around the world is that of CHEP, which owns millions of distinctively blue painted pallets with white CHEP marking.

Can I burn pallet wood?

Pallets, lumber, and other cut and dried scrap wood are indeed good to burn (as long as you are completely sure they were not treated with any chemicals such as arsenic or methyl bromide, which are very hazardous when burned). Old shipping pallets pose a few risks despite being dried and milled.

Are pallets made of 2×4?

Softwood pallets are typically made from resawn dimensional lumber. The lumber material is measured on a full dimension, e.g. 2×4 as 2×4, etc. A one-inch rough hardwood 4/4 board will typically measure 1-1/16”, or even 1-1/8” thick.

Is selling blue pallets illegal?

Can I resell blue pallets? Any sale, trade or secondary usage of CHEP pallets is strictly prohibited.

Are blue pallets dangerous?

This stands for Methyl Bromide which is a harmful chemical used to prevent wood eating insects consuming the pallets. It was banned in the UK 5 years ago so they are much rarer to come by now. Look out for the HT stamp, which stands for heat treated and means the pallet is definitely safe to use.

What can I make with a pallet of wood?

30 Pallet Project Ideas That Sell & Make Money. 1 1) Chairs. Via Easy Pallet Ideas. 2 2) Herb Garden. 3 3) Headboard. 4 4) Wood Backsplash. 5 5) Wooden Bookshelf.

How many pallets do you need to build furniture?

Pallet wood projects are less costly than using other types of wood. Many projects plan also require little woodwork, making the building simpler and efficient like this DIY. This build requires 25 pallets, specifically 10 EURO and 15 pallets without gaps. All furniture in this set, including the flooring, only uses pallets.

What’s the difference between Oak and pine in wood pallets?

What’s the difference between oak and pine in wood pallets? Pine is frequently used in pallets because it is a clean product that can be kiln dried without causing any damage. This makes it suitable for shipping and storing food products and pharmaceuticals.