Whether to use piles or chests depends on my intent and the purpose of the materials. For example, piles are, as previously mentioned, good where you have no bench or for AI pathmaking.

To each their own - a Valheim designed in attribute for which I am eternally grateful.

Regarding the OP's observation: While I didn't have the same discovery with pile deconstruction there were similar revelations I experienced with different game mechanics which will not be named to protect the innocent XD