Technical Guide
Mesh Size & Panel Depth Selector
Two decisions define most grating selections: the mesh opening and the panel depth. Get them by logic, not habit — this selector walks both decisions and finishes with the full typical range in one table.
Decision 1: mesh opening
| If your area has… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General industrial foot traffic | 38 × 38 mm molded | Best open area, cost and drainage balance |
| Dropped-tool or small-part risk above equipment | 19 × 19 mm mini mesh | Stops bolts, tools, cut gloves passing through |
| Public access, heels, wheelchairs | 19 × 19 mm mini mesh | Heel-safe openings, smooth ride for wheels |
| Long spans with heavy loads | Pultruded I-bar (40–51 mm c/c) | Stiffness from the bar, not the mesh |
| Solids-rich wash-down (fibers, hair, solids) | 38 mm mesh | Mini mesh blinds faster with fibrous solids |
Decision 2: panel depth
Depth is a stiffness decision. Deflection capacity scales roughly with the cube of panel depth, so each step up roughly halves deflection at the same load and span.
| Depth | Walkway span (comfortable) | Typical duty |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mm | ≤ 750 mm | Trench covers, short decorative spans |
| 30 mm | ≤ 900 mm | Light pedestrian, pump decks |
| 38 mm | 900–1 200 mm | Industrial walkways — the default depth |
| 50 mm | 1 200–1 500 mm | Heavy traffic, vehicle crossings, long spans |
Check a specific span and load with the load & span calculator — it returns the pass/fail verdict at both deflection limits.
The full typical range
| Panel | Mesh / bar c/c | Depth | Weight kg/m² | Open area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCM-25 | 38 × 38 mm | 25 mm | 12.6 | 68% |
| GCM-30 | 38 × 38 mm | 30 mm | 15.2 | 68% |
| GCM-38 | 38 × 38 mm | 38 mm | 19.4 | 68% |
| GCM-50 | 38 × 38 mm | 50 mm | 25.4 | 68% |
| GCM-30-MM | 19 × 19 mm | 30 mm | 17.0 | 50% |
| GCM-38-MM | 19 × 19 mm | 38 mm | 21.9 | 50% |
| GCP-38 I-bar | 40 mm c/c | 38 mm | 19.4 | 70% |
| GCP-50 I-bar | 40 mm c/c | 50 mm | 24.9 | 70% |
Typical production values. Certified per-batch data issued with every order.