Steel Bar Grating
Product Overview
Steel bar grating is manufactured from ASTM A-1011 mild carbon steel and is available in three distinct products: type “W” welded bar grating, type “SL” swage locked grating, and type “DT” dovetail pressure locked grating.
All products are available with bearing bar spacing ranging from 19/16” (1-3/16”) to 7/16” on center and cross bars at either 4” or 2” on center. Each product has a standard plain surface or may be specified with optional serrated or OnGrip™ slip-resistant surfaces.
Products are designed to service applications ranging from light pedestrian traffic to heavy duty vehicular loads. Finish options include bare steel, painted, hot dip galvanized, or specialty coatings.
Types of Steel Bar Grating
Type "W" Welded Steel Grating
Our most economical and durable products, type “W” welded steel gratings are manufactured by forge welding rectangular bearing bars and drawn cross bars. This welding process provides a positive, fused connection resulting in years of service under the most demanding conditions.
Spacing 19-W-4 is our most popular product and is recommended for most industrial flooring applications. With nearly 80% open area, 19-W-4 allows for the easy passage of dirt, debris, snow, and liquids and is essentially self-cleaning.
ADA conforming spacings 11-W-4 and 7-W-4 are commonly used in public areas. When specifying 11-W-4 products for ADA applications, 3/16” thick bearing bars must be specified.
Type "SL" Swage Locked Steel Grating
Type “SL” steel gratings are manufactured by inserting hollow tube cross bars into pre-punched holes in the bearing bars. The cross bars are then hydraulically compressed to form a positive mechanical connection. The cross bars are recessed below the top surface of the bearing bars providing a uniform and attractive architectural appearance.
Swage locking is a particularly efficient process for the production of ADA conforming gratings. Type 7-SL-4 with 3/16″ thick bearing bars provides a net 1/4″ clear opening between the bearing bars. This narrow opening is often preferred in public area applications where high heeled pedestrian traffic is likely and drainage is necessary.
Type "DT" Dovetail Pressure Locked Steel Grating
Type “DT” steel gratings have deep rectangular cross bars and are manufactured by inserting pre-punched bearing bars and cross bars into an “egg-crate” configuration and deforming the cross bars under intense hydraulic pressure.
The deep cross bars on type “DT” gratings make them popular for architectural applications such as sunshades and infill panels with the deeper cross bar serving as a distinct architectural accent.