Glossary
Deck coverage
Also called: deck surface coverage, percent coverage
Reviewed
Definition
Deck coverage is the share of a pallet deck's area that is covered by boards, the rest being gaps. It equals total board width divided by deck length: a GMA-style 48x40 top deck (two 5-1/2 in and five 3-1/2 in boards) covers 28.5 of 48 in, about 59%, and its bottom deck about 45%.
How to calculate deck coverage
Deck coverage = sum of board widths / deck length x 100.
| Deck (GMA-style 48x40) | Boards | Board width total | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | 2 x 5-1/2 + 5 x 3-1/2 in | 28.5 in | about 59% |
| Bottom | 2 x 5-1/2 + 3 x 3-1/2 in | 21.5 in | about 45% |
| Solid deck | boards edge to edge | 48 in | 100% |
Why coverage matters
- Product support: higher coverage supports small cartons and bags better and reduces how far they sag into gaps
- Box strength: cartons stand on the deckboards, so gaps under box walls weaken the bottom layer
- Cost and weight: every extra board adds board feet, nails and pounds
- Drainage and airflow: gaps let water drain and air circulate, which matters for green wood and some products
Deck coverage vs load coverage
Deck coverage describes the pallet. Load coverage describes how much of the deck the product occupies, which PDS captures as "Uniformly Distributed, Full Pallet Coverage" versus partial loads. See deck gap and deck board spacing.
Questions
- What is the top deck coverage of a GMA pallet?
- About 59%: seven boards totaling 28.5 in of width across a 48 in deck.