Metal Grates

Metal Grates

Metal grates are used for support and filtration in floors, stairs, and enclosures. They may be used in factory floors where it is necessary to keep the floor free of debris and liquids, or where a non-slip surface is required. Metal grates can also serve as a protective wall around machines and heaters, are popular for outdoor ramps and stairs, and can be used to cover storm drains and sewers. Metal grates are generally made of aluminum, carbon steel or stainless steel. The two main types of metal grating are expanded metal and bar grating.

Expanded metal grating is produced from a solid metal plate that has been perforated and stretched, generally into a diamond shape. Expanded metal has a greater strength-to-weight ratio than solid metal and allows liquid, air, and light through while still remaining solid enough to serve as a floor or barricade. The expanding process results in a structurally strong product that will not ravel or come apart and does not waste any material.

Bar grating, in comparison, is a type of grating made with thick metal or fiberglass bars that have been welded, swaged, pressure-locked, or riveted together. They are commonly used for strong support purposes. Bar grating's most common spacing configuration is rectangular, although it may be reinforced with diagonal bars, forming triangle-shaped spaces that face one another in a diamond configuration.

Metal Grates Image Provided by Niles Expanded Metals & Plastics