Show Me Your Pallet Projects!

[gtaus]

Some pallet decks I had saved (all internet pics) from looking into them. It's a good possibility sometime down the line!

My favorite pic of pallet deck...

What I like about this design is that you can use pallet slats of different lengths, staggering the seams, so it "hides" any pattern you might get if all your boards were the same size.

I think this would be the easiest deck to make...

Looks like they had a lot of similar pallets and just had to cut some slats to fill the gaps. The full-length edge boards dress it up nice.

I know some people may prefer to have all the boards line up, but I prefer a style that staggers the boards and you cannot see any pattern on the floor boards.

When I laid down a vinyl wood floor in my living room, the instructions were to make sure that you never had 2 boards line up with the seams and that you did not start a pattern even with staggering the start of the boards. A random start and stop on the length of the boards is what they advised for the best look. I think I agree.

Anyways, I have built a number of decks over the years and would like to pass on one time and labor saver tip. If you are using boards of different length, you can just let them hang over the edge at the end and you don't have to cut each plank individually. When you complete the deck build, you just take a chalk line and snap it where the edge should be. Then you use a circular saw and cut down the chalk line. Saves a lot of time over cutting each board as you go along. Also, if you chose to do the diagonal design, just overhand the end of the boards like I mentioned, snap the chalk line where the edge will be, and then cut the planks. That saves a lot of time because you don't have to cut each plank individually at the specific angle to match the edge.

One word of caution I would like to mention. As a former working RN, one of our main concerns for the elderly was preventing falls. If you are using pallet wood of various thicknesses, then you will create a walking surface that is not even. For the elderly, or those with mobility challenges, even a small difference in the floorboards can create a trip hazard. When my parents got to a certain age, I know I had to remove floor mats and such so they would not trip over them. Elderly people tend to shuffle their feet and don't pick them up as much as a younger person. Probably not a concern for you and your young family, but if you have guests of a certain age, it's something to beware of.

If your pallet wood is all of the same thickness, that would be best for a deck. That's all I want to say.

 

[chickengr]

Some pallet decks I had saved (all internet pics) from looking into them. It's a good possibility sometime down the line!

I like the idea but there are too many rats that might breed under those decks (talking about where I live).

 

[gtaus]

I like the idea but there are too many rats that might breed under those decks (talking about where I live).

For me, it's rabbit underneath the decks. But I like rabbits. So, no big deal.

Except when the rabbits get into the garden and eat my plants.

 

[Sally PB]

One word of caution I would like to mention. As a former working RN, one of our main concerns for the elderly was preventing falls. If you are using pallet wood of various thicknesses, then you will create a walking surface that is not even.

Thanks for the cautionary tip.

A trip/slip and fall injury is my biggest concern, having once broken my wrist that way. I think of myself as a "young" 60 year old, but I know my bones ain't what they used to be.

 

[gtaus]

Thanks for the cautionary tip.

A trip/slip and fall injury is my biggest concern, having once broken my wrist that way. I think of myself as a "young" 60 year old, but I know my bones ain't what they used to be.

You don't always think about things that might not affect you. If you are a young family with young kids, then a level walking surface is maybe not all that important. If you reach an age or condition where it is difficult to walk, many people start shuffling their feet and any unevenness in the walking floor can cause a trip or fall.

I know that the pallets I have been getting have some slats that are less than 1/2 inch thick, some that are 1/2 inch thick, occasionally I get pallets with slats with 5/8 inch deck boards, and I have a fair number of pallets that use 1X4 boards so they are 3/4 inch thick. If you use those different thickness boards as siding or shingles, it probably won't matter at all. However, if you used those same boards as a patio deck, the floor would not be even and could potentially create a trip hazard for some people.

I, too, am in the 60+ age group. Both Dear Wife and I have no disabilities, but safety concerns become more important because recovery times typically take longer as we age.

Anyways, I think a pallet deck would be a great project. If a person considers that a level floor might be important, then they could choose boards of the same thickness from the start. If you decide to use boards of different thicknesses for the floor boards, at least you know the potential safety concerns for others and can take precautions if you have elderly parents or grandparents visiting.

 

[gtaus]

and I've been researching pallet decks.....

Just came across some more pallet deck designs that use shorter pieces of slats. Might be worth considering...

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Anyways, I have built a number of decks over the years and would like to pass on one time and labor saver tip. If you are using boards of different length, you can just let them hang over the edge at the end and you don't have to cut each plank individually. When you complete the deck build, you just take a chalk line and snap it where the edge should be. Then you use a circular saw and cut down the chalk line. Saves a lot of time over cutting each board as you go along. Also, if you chose to do the diagonal design, just overhand the end of the boards like I mentioned, snap the chalk line where the edge will be, and then cut the planks. That saves a lot of time because you don't have to cut each plank individually at the specific angle to match the edge.

Thanks for the tip!! I have done some reading on building decks but, I've not had a ton of time to start it, nor do I have the amt of pallets stashed up that I would need. I fear this is likely on the list of next yrs projects!

One word of caution I would like to mention. As a former working RN, one of our main concerns for the elderly was preventing falls. If you are using pallet wood of various thicknesses, then you will create a walking surface that is not even. For the elderly, or those with mobility challenges, even a small difference in the floorboards can create a trip hazard. When my parents got to a certain age, I know I had to remove floor mats and such so they would not trip over them. Elderly people tend to shuffle their feet and don't pick them up as much as a younger person. Probably not a concern for you and your young family, but if you have guests of a certain age, it's something to beware of.

A really solid tip. I had, at this point already considered that...actually using different thicknesses didn't even cross my mind . However, giving the top a good sanding did cross my mind. I am thinking that would help even everything out (if it was at all off a smidge) and reduce the chance of splinters. All the minors run barefoot ALL.THE.STINKEN.TIME!!! drives me crazy!! They do, however come by it naturally.

Just came across some more pallet deck designs that use shorter pieces of slats. Might be worth considering...

My patience level is abt this big. (I know pathetic lol, but hey I know my limits and my ability lol) This would have me all bemt outta shape and stressed. Measurements would have to be so on point vs. Just laying them down in long pieces and cutting off the ends when done.

These do look very nicely done though and are amazing inspiration!

I like the idea but there are too many rats that might breed under those decks (talking about where I live).

For me, it's rabbit underneath the decks

I wonder if one could bury hardwire cloth around the perimeter and attach it to the back side of the full length boards around the edges

I just wonder how possible that is...

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Here's a Doc update! Since we moved him into the Pig Palace he has NOT escaped. (knock knock)
He is adjusting so well, and has even started to greet us at the gate! He goes to bed on his own, and burrows under the straw. This caused us a good scare the other night as he was nowhere to be seen! Lol
Minors go back and see him often, but they DO NOT enter at all. I only go in if someone else is out there, just as a way to practice safety. Doc enjoys behind his ears being scratched and the top of his head!

 

[NanaK]

 

[NanaK]

@Hedgeland Farms

I posted the photos from my phone but much prefer the laptop for typing.

Here ya go! DH has tall posts set because our intention is to put up wire fencing. The deer started nibbling early spring about the time he was working a lot. So I had to come up with something quickly until we could finish our original plan. Well, that was last year. lol I went to Lowes got deer netting and coated clothes line wire. The 2 ft bunny fence had been in place for some time. It gave me something to anchor the bottom to. The netting has been in place since March 2021 with only minor repairs. The netting was less than $25 per roll. It took less than 2 rolls. The clothes line was about $20. I've been surprised with the nettings durability. It's almost invisible from a distance. I tied streamers so it was more visible to the deer and birds. Thankfully, I've not had any birds get tangled.