26 Mar How Many Square Feet are on a Pallet of Sod?
How Many Square Feet are on a Pallet of Sod?
Here at Sod U, we are often asked, “How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?” The answer to this question largely depends on the sod farm from whom you purchase and the variables unique to that farm, such as the type of harvester, moisture content, grass type, piece or roll size, and soil type. Most of the time grass is quoted to homeowners by the pallet, so understanding pallet sizing is important for ordering purposes. Because not all pallet sizes are the same, you many not be getting as good of a deal as it seems! Most variation in pallet size comes down to weight for shipping and desired stacked pallet height. The majority of pallets range from 400 to 700 sq. ft., and the weight of a pallet can increase up to 50% more when wet. A pallet of sod weighs between 1,500 and 3,000 lbs., so be mindful of this when deciding to pick up your sod and the type of vehicle required to accommodate this weight.
Slabs
Most pallet sizes are commonly sold in ranges between 400, 450, or 500 sq. ft. in size. In the southern United States, these grass types include bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, and centipede. Most sod in the South is palletized in rectangle slabs that measure 16 x 24 inches and cover 2.66 sq. ft. When purchasing sod, it is important to know the price per sq. ft. (not per pallet) and to understand that there is some variability in how many square feet come on a pallet. The below table illustrates the difference that slabs, mini rolls, and large rolls have in the number of square feet per pallet. Although single slabs (2.66 sq. ft.) result in finished pallets with irregular numbers (399, 452, and 503 sq. ft.) they are still sold as 400, 450, and 500 square foot pallets. Most sod farms add one extra slab to 399 sq. ft. pallets, so in all cases, the end-consumer is getting a slight deal.
It is important to know 1) the price per sq. ft., and 2) how many sq. ft. are included in a pallet.
Mini Hand Rolls
Mini hand rolls have also been gaining in popularity in recent years. You will find them mostly in northern cool season markets. Mini hand rolls are usually 40 x 18 inches and cover five sq. ft. each. There are 80 of these on a 400 sq. ft. pallet, 90 of these on a 450 sq. ft. pallet, and 100 on a 500 sq. ft. pallet. Occasionally, you will also find 60 x 24 or 80 x 18 inch rolls in bermudagrass that are 10 sq. ft. each.
Large Rolls
In the northern cool season markets, most sod is sold in large rolls. These are usually 60 x 24 inches or 80 x 18 inches. Both of these work out to be 10 sq. ft. per roll. Standard pallet size in these markets is usually 500, 600, or 700 sq. ft, and will have 50, 60, or 70 rolls per pallet. Common grass types in these markets are tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass.
The above photos illustrate the difference between slabs of sod and rolls of sod.
Knowing pallet sizes is helpful when planning your project and understanding costs. Be sure to gain an understanding of sizing before ordering from a farm or distributor. If you are looking to purchase sod, be sure to check out our high quality varieties available by the pallet: https://sodsolutions.com/ecommerce/.
Before making a purchase, it is good to know which type of sod you want for your lawn. Read more here: Two Questions to Ask Before Selecting a New Turfgrass.
To find out more information in the next steps after making a purchase, check out our blog on Installing Sod.
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