Building furniture for your home or garden using pallets is a great way to save time and money. But one of the biggest challenges is finding the right pallets. Free pallets are not easy to come by and can be a challenge to find, especially if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help you locate quality pallets for free or at a discounted price.
How to Find Free Pallets
Finding free pallets can be a real challenge, but there are several businesses, organizations, and even individuals that may be able to help you. Depending on your location, you may be able to find free pallets at hardware stores, construction sites, pet stores, and even on social media sites such as Craigslist and Facebook. Before taking any pallets, be sure to ask permission from the source and to inspect them for any signs of damage or infestation.
Where to Buy Pallets for DIY Projects
If you’re unable to find free pallets, there are websites that offer quality pallets for sale. eBay, for instance, is a great place to find pallets at a discounted price. You can also find pallets at local shops and suppliers, but they may be more expensive than those you find online. Before purchasing pallets, make sure that you understand their size and weight requirements, and remember to ask questions if you are unsure.
Heat Treatment and European Union Regulation
When you’re looking for pallets, it’s important to understand the European Union’s heat-treatment requirements. This regulation is designed to keep wooden pallets safe from harmful insects, fungi, and bacteria. Any pallet imported into the European Union must be heat-treated at a temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes and then allowed to dry for 1-2 days to a maximum humidity of 22 percent.
Designing your Pallet Project
Once you’ve obtained the appropriate pallets for your project, it’s time to start planning out the design. Measure the area where you intend to place your furniture and make sure that the size of the pallets you’ve chosen will fit. If you’ll be using multiple pallets, it’s important to calculate the dimensions before you begin building your furniture. Additionally, if you’ll be stacking pallets to create a couch seat or other furniture piece, you’ll need to ensure that the size of the pallet is the same.
Summary
Finding free pallets is a challenge, but with a bit of leg work and some careful research, you can find quality pallets for your DIY furniture project. Sources for free pallets may vary by location, but include hardware stores, construction sites, pet stores, and even social media sites such as Craigslist and Facebook. You can also purchase pallets at a discounted price on websites such as eBay. To comply with European Union regulations, make sure that any pallet you use has been heat-treated and is at a maximum humidity of 22 percent. Finally, before starting your project, measure the space and make sure that your chosen pallet size and design will fit.
