Floor grating types and what they’re used for
Floor grating is frequently regarded as a superior choice compared to flat surfaces for various applications such as flooring, walkways, and raised platforms in industrial settings. It can have low maintenance requirements and additionally, floor grating can be visually appealing, provides good ventilation, and enhances slip resistance. With environmental issues at the forefront in the media at the moment, an added bonus is that often the material can be reused or recycled, contributing to its environmental benefits.
Beyond walkways and raised platforms, floor grating is utilized in a range of structures, including bridges, commercial-grade catwalks, drain and gully covers, jetties, steps, stair treads, ramps, track crossings, and wash bays.
When selecting industrial floor grating, there are several options available. This article explores three popular types: steel floor grating, aluminium floor grating, and fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) floor grating. Each type is examined for its key characteristics and advantages, and we provide links for further information, technical specifications, and downloads.
Steel Floor Grating
Steel is the most widely used material for floor grating, produced through a combination of vertical load bars and horizontal cross rods. This material is known for its exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, along with impressive yield and tensile strength.
Webforge provides five distinct patterns of steel grating, with the two most popular featuring a 30mm load bar pitch and either a 100mm or 50mm cross rod pitch. These patterns are commonly used in various settings, including power stations, refineries, sewage treatment plants, grain silos, chemical plants, trafficable drain grates, and stair treads.
Additionally, Webforge offers a serrated finish for steel grating, which improves the non-slip characteristics of all their steel products. If you want more information about these products, please visit our steel grating product page.
Aluminium Floor Grating
Aluminium floor grating is frequently selected for its lightweight properties. While aluminium is not as strong as steel, its reduced weight makes it a popular choice in industrial settings where weight is a critical factor. Additionally, aluminium is often viewed as having a greater aesthetic appeal compared to other materials, which is one reason Steve Jobs opted to use Aluminium in the design of iPhones, as well as in numerous architectural applications.
Like Webforge's steel grating products, we offer various combinations of load bars and cross rods in aluminium. We can also provide a serrated finish to enhance slip resistance, ensuring safety and functionality.
You can find more information about aluminium floor grating here.
FRP Floor Grating
Fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) floor grating is increasingly being used to replace traditional materials in various industrial applications. Unlike metal, FRP grating is produced through either a moulding process or a method known as pultrusion. Moulded FRP consists of a mesh of vertical and horizontal layers of fibre rovings combined with liquid resin in a mould, while pultruded FRP involves pulling resin and glass fibre strands through a series of steps to create a composite material.
Both manufacturing methods harness the unique properties of glass fibres and polymer resin. The glass fibres contribute strength and durability, while the polymer resins resist corrosive substances. FRP is particularly appealing for several reasons. It does not spark if metal objects are dropped on it, which is crucial in environments with flammable liquids and gases. Additionally, being made from reinforced plastic rather than metal, it does not conduct electricity, making it a safer choice for electrically hazardous settings.
FRP grating is also easier to cut than metal, allowing for greater flexibility in creating custom shapes or accommodating pipework in complex layouts. Moreover, its non-magnetic nature makes it safer in environments sensitive to magnetic fields.
Webforge manufactures moulded fibreglass grating in both standard and custom sizes. Our moulded grating features a high resin-to-glass ratio, providing exceptional resistance to corrosion, making it a favoured option in environments with hazardous chemicals and risks of leaks and spills. To facilitate low maintenance, 70 percent of the surface area is open, allowing debris to fall through while the vertical surfaces remain rich in resin.
If you'd like to know more about Webforge's FRP floor grating products, please visit our FRP grating page, which includes various downloads, load bearing tables and technical specifications.
Why not check out Meshstore which has all of our current in stock range for your industrial flooring needs. Our online shop has current stock availability and pricing available 24/7.