Quick Tips
DO: Use the right staples
Don’t use staples that are too short or nails that will end up splintering the wood. Using 1-1/2” long staples has led to collapsing towers in the past!
Pro Tip: Use 7/16” x 1-3/4” long 16 gauge crown molding staples. The glue coating, cost savings an small stapler size make these the ideal fastener option.
DOn’t: go overboard with shrink wrap
Sometimes we feel like more is better, but with shrink wrap don’t go crazy! The shrink wrap only needs to keep the plants from falling off the shelves, and to immobilize items on shelves to keep them from moving in transit.
Pro Tip: Leave gaps in between the bands of shrink wrap for ventilation.
Do: Attach diagonal bracing on each side
Resist the urge to skip one or more diagonal bracing on the sides! Without these diagonal braces, the structure is not very rigid, which leads to problems in transit. It is ok to remove the diagonal bracing for retail sales… just don’t try to ship a Pallet Tower without them all securely in place.
Pro Tip: Alternate the diagonal bracing for maximum stability.
DOn’t: use a hammer to disassemble
Unless you need to get some frustration out, there is a better way to disassemble the Pallet Towers you need to dispose of.
Pro Tip: Use a roofing shovel to make quick work of breaking down a Pallet Tower.
DO: use a new hardwood pallet for the base
It may seem like a great idea to use re-manufactured pallets, but the bottom pallet is not a place to cheap out! This pallet carries the load for the entire tower, so if it fails the entire structure will fail.
Pro Tip: Talk to your pallet vendor about ways to customize your pallets to reduce weight (cost!) and also have the desired deck board spacing.
DO: recycle and reuse
Don’t throw away your used pallets - people will come and buy them from you!
Pro Tip: Check with your local recycling center to see if they can accept your used cornerboards (#2 HDPE and paper) in their plastic recycling program, and any wood products (diagonal bracing) in their mulching operations.