Where Are Double-Face Pallets Used? Common Locations, Environments & Purchase Options

Where are double-face pallets used?

Double-face pallets appear in many places along the supply chain where stability, repeatable handling, and durability matter. This entry maps common physical locations and industry environments, explains why they are chosen there, and offers guidance on where to buy, rent, or pool them.

Typical warehouse environments

• Racked distribution centers: In selective pallet racking and drive-in racking systems, bottom deck boards help distribute load onto beam points and reduce pallet deformation — making double-face pallets common in these settings.
• Cross-dock and staging areas: Facilities that receive and immediately reship pallets prefer durable platforms that withstand frequent forklift handling — a good fit for double-face pallets.
• Fulfillment and e-commerce centers: High throughput operations favor consistent, robust pallet geometry for compatibility with conveyors, robotic pick systems, and automated storage.

Industries and use-cases

• Food and beverage: Double-face pallets support heavy or palletized cases, kegs, and bulk sacks. When hygiene is essential, plastic double-face pallets are used in cold storage, washdown areas, or where contamination risk must be minimized.
• Pharmaceuticals and chemicals: Strong support and repeatable dimensions are important for secure stacking and safe transport; material selection (plastic or treated wood) depends on chemical compatibility and regulatory demands.
• Automotive and heavy manufacturing: Component crates and heavy parts require pallets with a high static capacity and stable bottom support, so double-face or metal pallets are commonly used.
• Retail and grocery: Large retailers use double-face pallets to reduce product damage during frequent transfers from distribution centers to stores.

Special environments

• Cold storage and freezers: Plastic double-face pallets resist moisture absorption and are less likely to splinter in freezing conditions, making them suitable for refrigerated warehousing.
• Cleanrooms and hygienic environments: Plastic or stainless pallets with double-face designs are preferred where washability and particle control are important.
• Export and ocean freight: Wooden double-face pallets are widely used for ocean shipping because the bottom boards protect against deck chafing; ensure ISPM15 compliance for cross-border movements.

Where to purchase or acquire double-face pallets

• Local pallet manufacturers and sawmills: Provide customization options for wood double-face pallets — sizes, board thickness, and treatment.
• Plastic pallet manufacturers and distributors: Offer molded or assembled plastic double-face pallets with consistent tolerances and hygienic options.
• Pallet rental and pooling companies: Offer standardized double-face pallets with managed maintenance and reverse logistics, useful for businesses with fluctuating volume or limited pallet asset management resources.
• Online marketplaces and industrial suppliers: Provide ready-made options, often at lower cost for high volumes, but check specifications and delivery logistics carefully.

Where not to use them

• One-way shipping of lightweight items: Single-use exports of light goods may not warrant the higher cost and weight of double-face pallets.
• Manual handling settings prioritizing low weight: If workers must frequently lift pallet loads manually, lighter single-face pallets or plastic variants may be better.

Local considerations

• Regional standards and sizes: Use pallet sizes that align with local distribution standards (e.g., 48x40 in the U.S. vs 1200x1000 mm in many parts of Europe).
• Regulatory requirements: For international shipments, wooden pallets must meet ISPM15. In some industries, there are hygiene certifications for plastic pallets.

Best-practice checklist for choosing where to deploy double-face pallets

1. Analyze load types, stacking patterns, and racking requirements in each location.
2. Assess environmental conditions (moisture, temperature, chemical exposure) to choose between wood, plastic, or metal.
3. Decide between owning, renting, or pooling based on volume variability and maintenance capability.
4. Confirm dimensional and regulatory compatibility for domestic and international operations.
5. Run a pilot in a representative zone (receiving, racking, or shipping) to validate performance before full rollout.

Overall, double-face pallets are used wherever the extra support on the underside improves life and performance — especially in racked storage, heavy manufacturing, high-throughput distribution, cold storage, and international shipping. Choosing the right material and acquisition model depends on the environment, regulatory needs, and whether durability or low upfront cost is the priority.