Deckboard
A deckboard is a top or bottom deck element laid perpendicular to the stringers or stringerboards, specified as thickness x width x length. On a GMA-style 48x40 stringer pallet the interior deckboards are typically 5/8 x 3-1/2 x 40 in and the lead boards 5/8 x 5-1/2 x 40 in.
Also called deck board, pallet board
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How deckboards are specified
Deckboards are stated as thickness x width x length, in actual (not nominal) dimensions at the time of manufacture. On a stringer pallet the top deckboard length equals the pallet width, which is why a 48x40 pallet uses 40 in boards.
| Dimension | Common values |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4 or 7/8 in |
| Width | 3-1/2, 3-3/4, 5-1/2, 5-3/4 or 6 in |
| Length | the pallet width, e.g. 40 in on a 48x40 |
The outermost board at each end is the lead board. It is commonly wider (5-1/2 to 6 in) because it takes the most fork and handling impact.
How many nails does a deckboard need?
The Uniform Standard (2012, Table 5) sets the minimum fasteners per deckboard-to-stringer joint by board width: 2 for boards up to 5-1/4 in wide, 3 for 5-1/4 to 7 in, and 4 for 7 to 8 in. The pallet nail schedule guide walks through a full count.
Why deckboard choices matter
Thickness controls how stiff the deck is between supports, especially when a pallet is racked across its width. Board count and width set the deck gap: a GMA-style 48x40 with 7 top boards (two 5-1/2 in leads and five 3-1/2 in interiors) ends up with 3.25 in gaps.
Questions
- How thick are pallet deckboards?
- Most new pallet deckboards are 5/8 to 3/4 in thick. Heavier designs go thicker, and EPAL Euro pallets use 22 mm (about 7/8 in) boards.
- How many deckboards are on a 48x40 pallet?
- A GMA-style 48x40 stringer pallet has 7 top deckboards and 5 bottom deckboards, 12 in total.
Related
- Lead boardA lead board is the outermost deckboard at each end of a pallet deck. It is usually wider than interior boards, e.g. 5-1/2 in vs 3-1/2 in on a GMA 48x40.
- Deck gapA deck gap is the open space between adjacent deckboards. A GMA-style 48x40 has 3.25 in top gaps: (48 - 28.5 in of boards) / 6 spaces with ends flush.
- StringerA stringer is the continuous beam that runs the length of a stringer pallet under the deckboards. A GMA 48x40 uses three 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 x 48 in stringers.
- Pallet deck board spacing: how to calculate the gapsPallet deck board spacing: gap = (length - total board width) / (boards - 1). A 48x40 GMA top deck with 7 boards has 3.25 in gaps. Worked examples and limits.
- 48 × 40 pallet48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm) pallet specs with drawings: stringer pallet 59 lb, block pallet 96 lb, skid 79 lb. Nail counts, board feet and parts lists for each build.
- Dielectric heatingDielectric heating (DH) is an ISPM 15 treatment using microwave or radio-frequency energy to heat wood to 60 °C for one minute throughout its profile.
Sources
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition
- Guide to Understanding the PDS Specification and Analysis (stringer, inches)