Glossary
Split
Also called: end split, nail split
Reviewed
A split is a lengthwise separation of the wood fibers that runs through the piece. The Uniform Standard limits splits in deckboards to one third of the board length on reusable pallets (full length allowed on single-use), and limits horizontal splits in stringers to under 4 in or twice the stringer width.
Split limits in the Uniform Standard (2012, Table 1)
| Part | Reusable | Single-use |
|---|---|---|
| Deckboards | up to 1/3 of length | full length |
| Stringers, horizontal split | under 4 in or 2 x width | under 4 in or 2 x width |
| Stringers, vertical split | up to 1/2 of length |
Splits at nails
Nailing near board ends or edges can split the wood. The Uniform Standard allows at most one open split with a visible nail shank per connection, and such splits on at most one third of components.
Why splits matter
A split deckboard can break free at the nail line, and a split stringer loses stiffness and strength, especially near notches. Splits also grow as green wood dries. Ways to reduce them:
- Keep nails a reasonable distance from ends and edges
- Use the right nail diameter for the species and board thickness
- Build with drier wood where shrinkage is a concern
See lumber grades and shiner.
Questions
- How long can a split be in a pallet deckboard?
- Up to one third of the board length on a reusable pallet under the Uniform Standard. Single-use pallets allow a full-length split.
Sources
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition