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What Is A Heat Treated Pallet? Everything You Need To Know.

What Are Heat Treated pallets Made Of?

The sound of wood being ignited can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be terrifying.

If you’re thinking about making a DIY project out of wood, and you use pallets, you might hear that familiar crackling sound. But what is heat-treated pallets? What it is made of?

You may have heard of a pallet (sometimes called a skid, loader, or skid steer) used in warehouses, construction sites, and as a freight conveyance.

A pallet, or a wooden shipping crate, is rectangular and is commonly used for transporting products to stores and other places.

Heat-treated pallets are used to protect standard wood pallets from moisture damage and also ensure that the wood stays dry during transport.

These are usually made of high-grade plywood. Heat-treated pallets are typically constructed with a wood core and solid plastic, plastic composition, or metal exterior.

They are often coated with resin for protection and durability. If you want to learn more about heat-treated pallets, keep reading!

What are Heat Treated Pallets used for?

Heat-treated pallets are used in many applications. The type of heat resistance that pallets can withstand varies due to the type of wood that is used to make the pallets.

  • They are used in industries that need to use pallets and need them to be heat resistant.
  • Heat Treated Pallets are used to support heavy loads whilst also being protected against the effects of heat.
  • A common use of heat treated pallets is to support building materials such as concrete slabs.
  • Heat treated pallets are used for making sheds, swings, and other garden accessories.
  • Essentially, these are large, flat rectangular wood boards used to store, transport, and stack materials. 
  • They are also used in industrial applications, such as with crops and chemical manufacturing. 

How do you know if a Pallet is Heat Treated?

Heat treating lumber is a process where a wood product is exposed to heat and/or pressure to improve its properties.

Pallets are one example of this, because they need to resist extreme temperatures and humidity changes while protecting their contents.

It’s important to note that some types of pallet treatments are not considered heat-treated, even though they look like they were heat treated.

  • To determine whether your pallet was heat treated, check the markings on the bottom side. There should be an “HT” stamping next to the number indicating the year of manufacture.

This indicates that your pallet was heat-treated at least once after production.

This means that the durable pallet has been treated by heating it under controlled conditions until all internal moisture has evaporated away and any remaining natural oils have been removed.

  • When holding a piece of a pallet in your hand, if it doesn’t feel warm, it is most likely not heat treated.

Are Wood Pallets Weatherproof?

The term weatherproof refers to something which protects itself from external elements. Chemically-treated pallets are both functional – able to hold various amounts of weight safely and aesthetically pleasing.

They don’t just sit there looking pretty; they perform well too: they won’t warp, split, crack or rot. They last longer than traditional crates, boxes, and containers.

But while they may not get wet, rainwater seeps through cracks between planks and into the cargo area.

This could lead to mildew or the risk of mold growth – especially when damp goods are stored inside. It might also mean that the temperature inside drops below the freezing point.

So, an average wood pallet is not weatherproof because, while they are solid and can hold up to a lot of weight, they are not completely sealed.

Benefits of Heat Treated Pallets

There are many benefits to using heat-treated pallets instead of untreated pallets. First, wood that has not been heat-treated is much more susceptible to insect damage.

Benefits include:

1. Reduced risk of fire damage, improved resistance to decay and better durability.

2. Heat-treated wood is not only safer for your food and products, but it is also safer for you. If you are using an untreated pallet, you are at risk of being a victim of a chemical hazard. 

3. Heat treating your pallets will kill any insects and other organisms that have made your pallet their home.

4. If you’re planning to move house, having heat-treated pallets will help save money and avoid unnecessary repairs down the line.

This includes less frequent cleaning costs or costly replacement of damaged parts.

5. Heat-treated pallets are stronger and resistant to damage caused by transportation.

6. Heat-treated wood provides several benefits over untreated wood, including stronger joints and a longer lifespan.

Note: As mentioned above, however, heat treatment isn’t always required for every application. If the load you’re moving contains delicate items or perishable products, then you should extra precautions before transporting.

We recommend consulting our guide about how to choose the right type of pallet for your needs.

How long does a Heat Treated Pallet last?

The average life span of a wooden pallet varies depending on its usage length and environment. For example, pallets used during construction may need to withstand heavy loads and rough handling.

These bunch of wood pallets usually require special treatments such as coating with oil-based stains or varnishes.

On the other side, general purpose pallets are typically manufactured out of softwood lumber like pine and fir trees.

While these pallets are often cheaper, they do not offer superior stability compared to hardwoods. This means that they may break or fail after years of use.

So how long do heat-treated pallets really last? Well, it depends on the product and the environment where you store them.

If you really need to store your pallets for an extended period, you may find it easier to move them to a dedicated storage area with storage dimensions similar to your pallets’ dimensions.

Conclusion

Heat-treated pallets are completely safe to use. These pallets allow you to use a product that is deemed unusable by almost anyone.

Heat treated pallet are completely safe for a DIY project, and you can be sure that you are using a product that will not harm you or your family.

You can either heat-treat pallets yourself or buy heat-treated pallets from a certified company.

Scott Buckley

Scott Buckley

I'm Scott, a Woodworker by day and book geek by night. I love making things out of wood. While I have and still, on occassion do, work with metal and plastics, I find them to be cold and somewhat boring. Wood is warm and I feel close to nature with it. I started TeachMeDIY.co.uk as a means to help like minded creative folk to answer burning questions. I hope you enjoy reading and learning, and always feel free to reach out to me should you have any questions!

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