Can wire mesh decking support the full weight of a pallet?

Yes, certain wire mesh decking systems can be specifically designed and rated to support pallet loads. However, not all mesh decking is structural. Its suitability depends on the deck specification, pallet support arrangement and actual loading conditions.

Is timber decking suitable for heavy pallets?

Potentially. Appropriately designed structural timber decking can support significant loads, but its capacity depends on factors including timber grade, thickness, span, support arrangement and load distribution.

Can I install decking on existing pallet racking?

In many cases, yes. However, the decking must be compatible with the racking system, and its proposed loading must be within the verified capacity of both the decking and the supporting structure.

Does decking prevent products falling from racking?

Suitable decking can help reduce certain falling-object risks, but the level of protection depends on the design, mesh openings, load characteristics and application. Additional protection or other controls may be necessary, particularly above pedestrian routes.

Pallet racking decking levels in a warehouse storage system

Warehouse Safety Products

Pallet Racking Decking Solutions

Protection or Structural Decking – Do You Know What You Need?

Not all pallet racking decking is designed to do the same job. Choosing the wrong decking can create serious safety risks, particularly where pallets are not fully supported by the racking beams or where stored products impose concentrated loads on the decking.

At True Space Solutions, we supply and install a range of pallet racking decking solutions, including wire mesh, timber, steel grating and solid panels, tailored to your warehouse and storage requirements.

But we do more than simply supply decking.

We take time to understand what you're storing, how it's supported and the loads involved, helping ensure the decking is correctly specified for its intended application.

Discuss Your Decking Requirements

Protection Decking vs Structural Decking

Understanding the Difference Could Prevent a Serious Incident

One of the most important considerations when selecting pallet racking decking is whether it is intended to provide additional protection or act as a structural load-bearing surface.

Protection Decking

Additional protection – not a substitute for properly supported pallets.

Protection decking is generally intended to provide secondary protection against misplaced loads or falling items.

In conventional pallet racking, the pallet is normally designed to transfer its weight directly onto the front and rear racking beams. Protection decking should not be assumed to support the full weight of a loaded pallet during normal storage.

Typical applications:

Additional protection beneath correctly supported pallets.
Helping reduce the risk of smaller items falling through racking.
Supplementary protection in designated storage areas.

The level of protection depends on the decking's design, specification and rated performance.

Structural Decking

Specifically designed and rated to support stored loads.

Structural decking is designed to carry loads that would otherwise be unsupported or insufficiently supported by the racking beams.

This is particularly important when storing pallets whose bearers or supporting members sit within the beams rather than transferring their weight directly onto them.

Structural decking must be selected to accommodate the actual load characteristics, including concentrated or point loads, rather than simply relying on a uniformly distributed load rating.

Typical applications:

Pallets that do not bear directly on both racking beams.
Non-standard pallets or alternative pallet orientations.
Heavy or concentrated loads.
Mixed storage applications requiring a rated supporting surface.

Why Does This Matter?

We've encountered warehouse installations where decking has been fitted without adequately considering the pallets and products being stored.

A deck that appears substantial may not be designed to carry the applied load.

The consequences of incorrect specification can be significant, including decking failure, falling pallets, damaged stock and serious risks to people working nearby.

The correct solution starts with understanding how the load is transferred through the decking and into the racking structure.

Not sure what type of decking you have? Speak to our team.

Our Range of Pallet Racking Decking

We offer a variety of decking materials and configurations to suit different warehouse environments, load requirements and storage applications.

Wire mesh pallet racking decking installed in a warehouse

Wire Mesh Decking

A versatile and popular option for pallet racking, providing an open mesh surface that allows air circulation and water penetration. Available in different mesh sizes, support arrangements and load capacities. Wire mesh decking can be specified for protection or structural load-bearing purposes, depending on its design and rating.

Suitable for: General warehouse storage, carton picking, certain pallet applications and areas where ventilation is important.

Enquire About This Product

Open slat timber decking boards on pallet racking shelves

Timber Decking – Open Slat

Manufactured with individual timber boards and gaps between them, offering a practical and economical decking solution. Can be configured with different board sizes, quantities and support arrangements to suit the application.

Suitable for: Pallet support and general warehouse storage where an open timber surface is appropriate.

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Closed board timber decking surface on warehouse racking

Timber Decking – Closed Board

A continuous timber surface designed to provide greater coverage across the racking level. Particularly useful where smaller products or packages require a more enclosed supporting surface.

Suitable for: Boxed goods, carton storage, picking operations and appropriately designed pallet storage.

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Heavy-Duty Steel Grating

A robust, engineered decking solution designed for applications requiring greater load-bearing capability. Available in different grating patterns, support profiles and capacities, including heavy-duty industrial grating systems.

Suitable for: Heavy loads, concentrated loading and specialist industrial storage applications.

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Solid steel decking panels for pallet racking

Solid Steel Panels

Durable steel decking panels offering a continuous, enclosed surface. Can be manufactured to different dimensions and specifications, including specialist applications such as fire baffles where required by an approved fire protection design.

Suitable for: Specialist storage, enclosed surfaces and applications requiring solid steel construction.

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Melamine faced decking shelves for hand-loaded storage

Melamine Decking

A smooth, easy-clean faced board offering a neat and practical shelving surface. Commonly used for hand-loaded storage and picking applications, subject to the appropriate supporting structure and load rating.

Suitable for: Small parts, boxed products and light-duty picking areas.

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Chipboard Decking

A cost-effective solution for creating continuous shelving surfaces within pallet racking and storage systems. Available in different thicknesses and supported configurations depending on the required loading.

Suitable for: Carton storage, hand-loaded goods and general picking applications.

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How Do We Specify the Right Decking?

At True Space Solutions, we don't believe decking should be selected on material or price alone. Before recommending a solution, we consider:

Pallet type and orientation

Including how the pallet bears onto the racking.

Load weight and distribution

Including concentrated loads and uneven weight distribution.

Racking dimensions and configuration

Ensuring compatibility with the existing installation.

Storage application

Whether pallets, stillages, cartons or loose products are being stored.

Operational environment

Including the day-to-day demands placed on the decking in use.

Fire protection requirements

Including the potential effects on sprinkler performance and the warehouse fire strategy.

Pedestrian safety

Considering the risk of falling objects where people may work or travel beneath stored goods.

Where required, we can arrange for the proposed decking and supporting racking structure to be assessed to establish their suitability for the intended loads.

Our objective is simple: the right decking, correctly specified, for the way your warehouse actually operates.

Already Have Decking Installed?

Are You Confident It's Suitable for Your Pallets?

Just because decking is installed doesn't automatically mean it's suitable for the loads placed upon it.

We regularly encounter warehouses where storage requirements have changed over time, including different pallet designs, increased load weights and alterations to the original racking configuration. An existing decking installation may no longer be appropriate for the products being stored.

If you're unsure whether your decking is designed to support the loads applied, we can help review the installation, identify potential concerns and advise on the next steps, including obtaining design verification where necessary.

Review My Decking Installation

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Advice on Pallet Racking Decking?

Whether you're installing decking in a new warehouse, upgrading an existing installation or concerned about the suitability of your current decking, True Space Solutions can help.

From initial advice and product selection through to supply and installation, we provide practical solutions based on your individual requirements.

Service you expect. People you trust.

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