Pallet Supports vs. Wire Decking – Considerations to Help You Make the Right Choice

Two Great Options – How Do You Choose Between Pallet Supports vs. Wire Decking?

Pallet racking is designed for pallets to rest evenly on the front and rear beams. Although wire decking and pallet supports are required for most standard rack systems –unless used in a tunnel design, they can provide added safety and support while opening up more storage use options such as carton storage. So, how do you choose between pallet supports vs. wire decking? We’re here to help you break it down to make the right choice.

 

A Side-by-Side Look at Pallet Supports vs. Wire Decking

Pallet Supports do not provide full coverage. Typically, two supports are positioned under each pallet. They attach perpendicular to the beams and are intended to add a measure of protection if the pallet is misaligned. They are not meant to support the full weight of the pallet.		Wire decking is a full-surface solution providing a flat surface to hold full pallets or hand-stacked cases, totes, and individual items. Different styles and strengths are available depending on the application.
Pallet Supports Advantages Provide the forklift operator with the ability to reposition a misaligned pallet. Promotes longer pallet life by more evenly distributing the weight of the pallet in the rack, Prevents large items from falling through the rack. Protects inventory from damage. Preferred in double-deep rack to prevent potential hang-ups on wire deck. Prevent beam twisting in structural rack systems thus increasing the beam load rating and capacity.		Wire Decking Advantages Provides a flat surface for full and split-case picking. Prevents items from falling through the rack onto workers (in overhead rack systems) or other inventory. Permits faster pallet placement (doesn’t have to be so exacting) and reduces forklift operator stress… added bonus. Pops into position quickly for fast, easy installation and is user-friendly.

Both products provide an extra measure of pallet/inventory support for the stored items, protection from falling, and fire safety by allowing water from in-rack sprinklers to pass through. From there, it comes down to the type of inventory you’re storing and your comfort level with pallet placement by your forklift operators as to which product is the right product for you.

There are two major categories of wire deck, flared channel deck and step deck. Flared channel deck is often used in structural rack or box beams with an occasional step beam application. Step decks are the typical choice for step-beam rack designs. For more information on all the different styles and applications of wire deck, check out our deep-dive blog.

There are also two design types of pallet supports flange (similar to the wire deck waterfall style) and flush that is set down into the step of the pallet rack beam. Structural supports, also known as bolt-in pallet supports or safety angles, are available for structural rack and roll-formed supports for roll-formed frames. For more information on pallet supports’ different styles and applications, check out our deep-dive blog.

Considerations to Help You Choose Pallet Supports vs. Wire Decking  

1. Inventory – the size and type of inventory stored will affect your choice. Pallet supports are acceptable for same-sized, palletized inventory. Wire decking will accommodate various pallet sizes, cases, and individual items.
2. Rack System – as noted above, structural and roll-formed systems have different style pallet supports, and certain system designs such as deep-reach pallet rack benefit pallet supports vs. wire decking. Talk with your system designer to ensure your accessories match the application.
3. Installation – depending on the type of pallet support, each support may need to be tek screwed in one or two places –and with two supports per pallet position, the installation required can be significantly more than installing wire decks. Additionally, the supports must be strategically positioned under the pallets. Snap-in supports are a bit faster to install, so if pallet supports seem like the best choice, this style may save you valuable installation time. Wire decks, by comparison, simply drop into place over the front and rear beams.
4. Pricing – pallet supports are typically less expensive than wire decking; however, you may expend those savings on extra installation costs. The overall cost of adding either supports or wire deck to your pallet rack system is a fraction of the system cost and is typically a very smart investment. It is also worth checking with your insurance company to see if savings are available for wire deck covered pallet bays.

 

After you consider all the benefits and differences of the two products, you may consider a hybrid option of using wire deck in the upper levels where forklift operator sight is restricted, and pallet supports in the lower levels where it is easier to see — it all depends on your application design and needs.

 

You’ve Got Support from the Apex Team

The Apex team is here to help you make the right choice to meet all your warehousing needs. We can walk you through the options and provide comparison quotes if applicable. Our team knows OSHA requirements and understands how important the safety of your team and your operation are to your success. Call our systems experts today to discuss your pallet racking storage needs, and let’s find the best solution.