Stacking boxes is key to sorting and organizing your moving and storage plans. Boxes need to be stored away in a space saving manner, both in your home, in storage or during transportation. How you stack moving boxes changes as a result of a few variables. The main one being how heavily the boxes are loaded and how strong the boxes are.
Lets find of the best way to stack boxes safely and making efficient use of space.
Large Moving Boxes At the Bottom Ensure Stability
Putting the largest moving boxes on the bottom of the stacking pile is essential for various reasons.
First it creates a good foundation for a high stack of boxes. The larger sized boxes support the full width and depth of the same sized or smaller size boxes stacked on top of it. This creates the foundation for being able to stack multiple boxes up higher.
You ideally don’t want to stack more than 3 boxes inline without a foundation of at least 2 boxes supporting them underneath.
For example if you have a foundation of 3 boxes in a row, you can stack 2 extra rows of 3 boxes on top of that, then 3 rows of 2 boxes on top of that, then 1 rows of 1 box at the peak of the stack.
Following this rule means you’ll always ensure that the stack has good stability, weight permitting of course. If the boxes are exceptionally heavy we need to make sure that the boxes supporting the weight from the very top down, can do so while retaining their structural integrity. You may need to reduced the number of repeated rows to 2 rather than 3 for heavier boxes too.
This of course will be limited by the height which you’re able to stack the boxes physically. Obviously also constrained by the height of which you are able to reach and how low the ceiling is!
Consider Loading Weight
Weight is considered each time you decide to put an extra box on the stack. Boxes full with heavier items limits the number of boxes you are able to stack before the bottom supporting foundation box gives way, collapsing under the weight. This weight is determined by the edge crush test (ECT) rating.
This rating is the amount of force that can be applied to the moving box sidewall safely without collapse.
Edge Crush Test Ratings
| ECT Rating | Maximum Weight Capacity | Number of Corrugated Walls |
|---|---|---|
| ECT-32 | 65lbs | Single |
| ECT-44 | 95lbs | Single |
| ECT-48 | 100lbs | Double |
| ECT-51 | 120lbs | Double |
| ECT-90 | 280lbs | Triple |
| ECT-155 | 300lbs | Triple |
As we can see, the higher rated box can support more stacking weight. The ECT value being the lbs of force that can be applied. If we want to stack heavy boxes upon one another, we need to consider what height that stack is going to be. Strong boxes with reinforced sidewalls are best suited to support boxes stacked on top of it, as they makes for a stronger foundation.
It is hard to estimate the number of boxes loaded at their full weight capacity that can be safely stacked. However if you are following the stacking rule of using more boxes at the foundation and decreasing the number of boxes as you go up every 3 rows, then all boxes regardless of their ECT value should be able to support, as the weight is distributed evenly. On the condition that they do not exceed the maximum weight carrying capacity indicated by the table.
If boxes are going to be stacked directly on top of each other without distribution of loads by using more boxes at the foundation of the stack, then it is a great idea to use double walled or single walled boxes to give them the best chance of remaining intact.
Stack Height Determined by Weight
Since ECT rating is such a big factor upon box strength you need to be strategic with what boxes you load. There are clear dangers for loading boxes that are too heavy at the top of the stack. Namely that it can be dangerous to load a heavy box up high as you won’t be able to support its weight fully behind your body as you lift it into the air. In addition you won’t be able fully support the weight if you need to reach up high to grab it when pulling it down from the stack.
The chances of it the box being dropped to the ground in this scenario increase. When lifting heavy boxes it’s best practice to get your full weight behind it. Doing so with the box held at the height of your torso and supported by your legs. Lifting with arms outstretched upwards means the load will be unsupported by your upper body. With a heavier load this increases the chances of accidents, causing damage to the box or yourself.
Ideally, stacking the heaviest boxes at chest height or below means that it is safer to load the box on the stack and take it off. In all cases this may not be possible. In that case stacking high up will need to be avoided unless using machinery such as a lift.
Benefits of Boxes With Cut Out Handles
Handling boxes without cut out handles means they need to be lifted from the bottom at their edges. When removing a box like this from a stack, the only way to get them to removed is to either tip them over slightly, or slide them until you can access the bottom edges to be able to lift it up. A box with handles can remain supported by the stable platform of the other boxes, then simply be lifted off as the handles allow full leverage without compromise of requiring to reach the underside.
In addition, the handles allow a safe method of handling. As handles are near the top of the box this means that the weight being carried is done in a more comfortable and stable fashion, using ergonomic and purpose built cut out handles, rather than the rough underside edges of a regular heavy moving box.
Conclusion – How Do You Stack Moving Boxes
Stack up boxes using rule of 3. Each time you put 3 rows of stacked boxes together, then you must remove 1 box from the next 3 rows. This provides a stable foundation and minimalizes the chances of the boxes failing under the stacking weight or becoming unbalanced and tipping over.
For heavily loaded boxes its recommended to use a higher ECT rated box. This protects the boxes being crushed underneath the stacking weight. Double or triple walled boxes should be used depending on how high the boxes are stacked. In addition to how heavily the boxes are loaded. The exact number will need to be determined by a few factors. You should determine what is most appropriate according to your estimates of the boxes weight.
Lastly, handles in the sidewalls of boxes are beneficial for stacking. They help you load and remove boxes from the stack in a safer manner.
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