A pallet with only a top deck and no bottom deck, also called a skid.
Detailed Definition
A single-faced pallet has deck boards on top only, fastened to stringers or blocks that rest directly on the floor. With no bottom deck, it uses less wood and weighs less than a double-faced pallet of the same footprint, and a pallet jack entering between the stringers can lower its wheels straight to the floor. In the US the word skid is often used loosely for any pallet, so describe the actual construction when ordering instead of relying on the name.
Where single-faced pallets work well
Single-faced designs suit light to moderate loads, one-way shipments, machinery and equipment bases that are bolted down, and in-plant handling with pallet jacks. Because there are no bottom boards for the jack's wheels to ride over, they are easy to move by hand truck from the open ends. They also use less lumber per unit than double-faced designs.
Limits to plan for
Without a bottom deck, the load passes to the floor only through the stringers or blocks. When a loaded single-faced pallet is stacked on another load, those narrow runners press lines into the cartons below, which can crush weak packaging. The pallet is also less stiff, so it may sag more in rack or on conveyors, and it is less stable on uneven floors. If loads will be stacked, racked or run on automation, test or design for that use.
How to specify one
- Footprint, with stringer length stated first.
- Stringer or block size and count.
- Top deck board count, thickness, width and spacing.
- Fork entry needed and any notches.
- Fastener type and any treatment such as ISPM 15 heat treatment.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a skid the same as a single-faced pallet?
In technical usage, yes: a skid is a platform with a top deck on runners or stringers and no bottom deck, which is what a single-faced pallet is. In everyday US speech, though, many people say skid when they mean any pallet, including double-faced ones. When you order, describe the deck construction, footprint and entry type so the supplier builds exactly what you need.
Can loaded single-faced pallets be stacked?
Sometimes, but check carefully. The stringers or blocks of the upper pallet rest directly on the load below, concentrating weight on narrow strips instead of spreading it across a bottom deck. Sturdy, uniform loads may tolerate this, while cartons with low compression strength can crush. If you need to stack, consider a double-faced pallet, a top sheet or tier sheet over the lower load, or testing the actual packaging.