Compared to Wood & Plastic
Though they share the same purpose, the differences between the 3 main pallet materials is extensive and the material chosen can lead to thousands of dollars being lost through repair and replacement.
| Steel | Wood | Plastic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durability | Made from ultra-thin gauge metal that allows for dozens of uses. | Constantly break. Limited to few uses unless repaired. | Constantly break. No way to repair. |
| Nestability | Nestable at 0.3 inches per nested pallet. | Not nestable at all. Only stackable. | Nestable at 1.6 inches per pallet. |
| Weight | Lightweight due to construction of thinner steel. | High quality wooden pallets are made of thick and heavy lumber. Can weigh 30-50 lbs. | Conventionally heavier than the steel pallets. Can weigh from 36-50 lbs. |
| Total Capacity | The 48" x 40" Steel Pallet can handle up to 5,000 lbs. of fork load. | An average wooden pallet of the same size can only hold up to 2,500 lbs. of fork load. | The best quality plastic pallet of the same size can only hold up to 4,000 lbs. of fork load. |
| Theft Potential | Low theft risk: The high nestability allows for easy indoor storage. | High theft risk: Almost always stored outdoors. | High theft risk: Mostly stored outdoors. |
| Savings | Less frequent need to repair or replace compared to wooden and platic pallets. Will save thousands in the long run. | Regularly break. Need to be repaired or replaced constantly. | Prone to breaking as well. Must be replaced. |