This grating has a galvanized finish to prevent rusting, plus wide spacing to allow for objects to pass through and not clog up the grate. [Photo: Courtesy of Laurel Custom Grating]
Selecting the right materials for heavy-duty grating is important. Whether your project is in a high-traffic area or involves hazardous materials, heavy-duty steel grating can be customized to meet your standards. Laurel Custom Grating (LCG), a leading manufacturer of steel grating, manufactures heavy-duty grating in carbon steel, stainless steel, and special steel alloys like manganese steel. Bill Adams, sales team lead at LCG, recently shared some advice for when to use each type of steel.
LCG can manufacture heavy-duty grating in virtually any material as long as it can be sourced from a mill, processor, or warehouse. The most common material for our heavy-duty grating is conventional carbon steel, since carbon steel grades are versatile, durable, and economical. Carbon steel can be used in most industrial applications, like loading docks, mezzanine flooring, sidewalks, and ramps. Carbon steel grating is available in three finishes: mill finish, painted black, or galvanized. If you go with the painted option, we use a water-based paint as required by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the EPA. Carbon steel grating can be smooth or serrated for increased slip resistance.
Stainless steel is another option for heavy-duty grating. Like carbon steel, stainless steel can be either serrated or smooth, but it’s only available in a mill finish. Because of its high strength and resistance to corrosion, stainless steel grating is best suited for harsh chemical environments. Stainless steel is incredibly durable and doesn’t rust. On the other hand, galvanized carbon steel would break down in the presence of hazardous chemicals.
[Photo: Courtesy of Laurel Custom Grating]
FROM OUR JULY+AUGUST 2019 ISSUE
