A pallet with distinct top and bottom decks, where only one side is intended for loading.
Detailed Definition
A non-reversible pallet has a top deck built to carry the load and a bottom deck, if it has one, built differently, usually with fewer or narrower boards spaced for floor contact and pallet jack wheels. Because the two faces are not interchangeable, the pallet must always be loaded right side up. Many common US stringer pallets, including the typical 48x40 grocery-style pallet, have more top boards than bottom boards and are non-reversible. Single faced pallets are non-reversible too, since they have no bottom deck.
How to tell a non-reversible pallet
Turn the pallet over and compare the faces. A non-reversible pallet usually has more top deck boards than bottom boards, wider gaps on the bottom, or bottom boards placed so pallet jack wheels can drop to the floor. The lead boards at the ends of the top deck are often wider than those underneath. A reversible pallet, by contrast, has matching decks so either face can carry the load.
Why designers make the bottom deck different
The bottom deck does not need full coverage to spread a load onto a warehouse floor, so using fewer boards there saves wood and weight. Openings in the bottom deck also let pallet jacks lift the pallet. The trade-off is less support on conveyors, on some automated equipment and when loaded pallets are stacked, because the bottom boards press on the load below.
Handling and specification points
- Load the top deck only; loading the bottom face puts weight on fewer boards and can crack them.
- Check how bottom boards line up with rack beams, conveyor rollers or automated equipment before choosing a design.
- When stacking loaded pallets, confirm the bottom deck will not crush the product beneath.
- State top and bottom board counts and widths in the specification.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a non-reversible pallet the same as a single-faced pallet?
Not always. A single-faced pallet has only a top deck, so it is non-reversible by definition. But many non-reversible pallets are double-faced: they have a bottom deck too, just with a different board count or layout from the top. The term only tells you the two faces are not interchangeable. Check whether a bottom deck exists, since it affects how the pallet sits on floors, racks and conveyors.
Can a non-reversible pallet go in selective rack?
Usually yes, as long as the design is rated for the rack span and support direction. In selective rack a pallet typically rests on a front and a rear beam, so its stringers or blocks and bottom boards must carry the load across the open space between them. The bottom deck layout matters because it is what touches the beams or any wire decking. Ask for a racked capacity for your actual rack depth and pallet orientation.