Steel Bar Grating Sizes
When engineers and buyers ask about “bar grating sizes”, they usually mean three things: the bearing bar dimensions (depth × thickness), the bar spacing (center to center), and the panel size (width × length). Getting these right determines the load capacity, the open area and the cost of the grating.
This guide explains each dimension in plain language, with the common sizes used in welded, press-locked and swage-locked steel grating.
1. Bearing Bar Dimensions (Depth × Thickness)
The bearing bars carry the load. They are usually flat steel bars, specified as depth × thickness in millimetres (or inches in US projects).
Common bearing bar sizes:
| Bearing bar (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 20 × 3 | Light walkways, stair treads, light covers |
| 25 × 3 / 25 × 5 | General platforms and walkways |
| 32 × 3 / 32 × 5 | Standard industrial grating |
| 40 × 3 / 40 × 5 | Medium-duty platforms and mezzanines |
| 50 × 5 | Heavy-duty floors and vehicle access |
| 65 × 5 / 75 × 6 | Very heavy loads, industrial and offshore |
Rule of thumb: deeper and thicker bars carry more load but cost more and weigh more. For most platform and walkway projects, 25–40 mm deep bars with 3–5 mm thickness cover the majority of cases.
2. Bar Spacing (Center to Center)
Spacing is the distance between the centres of two adjacent bearing bars. Common values:
- 30 mm spacing — fine mesh, anti-slip, suitable for pedestrian areas and heel-proof applications
- 40 mm spacing — the most common for general industrial grating
- 60 mm spacing — lighter and cheaper, for areas where smaller objects won’t fall through
Open area: closer spacing means more steel, higher load capacity, smaller openings and higher cost. Wider spacing means less weight and lower price, but larger gaps.
3. Cross Bar (Transverse Bar) Spacing
Cross bars lock the bearing bars together. Common cross bar spacings are 50 mm, 76 mm and 100 mm. For heavy loads or where lateral stability matters, tighter cross bar spacing is used.
4. US Designations: What Does 19-W-4 Mean?
In North American projects, grating is often specified with designations such as 19-W-4 or 2-1/4-W-4:
- The first number indicates the bearing bar depth
- The middle letter indicates the style (W = welded, P = press-locked)
- The last number indicates the center-to-center spacing in inches
Always confirm the exact meaning with your supplier or the governing standard before ordering — a one-letter difference can change the whole specification. Our standards and specification guide includes a decoding table for US and international designations.
5. How to Specify Bar Grating in 30 Seconds
When you send an inquiry, provide these 7 details so the factory can quote accurately:
- Type: welded, press-locked, swage-locked, serrated
- Material: Q235B carbon steel, stainless 304/316/316L
- Bearing bar size: e.g. 40 × 5 mm
- Bearing bar spacing: e.g. 40 mm center to center
- Cross bar spacing: e.g. 100 mm
- Panel size: width × length, e.g. 1000 × 6000 mm
- Surface treatment: hot-dip galvanized, painted, or plain
Not sure about load capacity? Use our steel grating weight calculator to estimate weight, and check the load capacity guide to select the right bar size.
6. Panel Size and Tolerances
Standard panel widths are typically 1000 mm or 1220 mm, with lengths up to 6000 mm or more. Most suppliers cut to exact size for your project, including end trims and cut-outs for pipes and columns. When ordering, add a small allowance for trimming on site if the final dimensions are not yet fixed.
Common Questions
What is the most common bar grating size?
For general industrial platforms and walkways, 40 × 5 mm bearing bars at 40 mm spacing in hot-dip galvanized steel is one of the most requested specifications.
Does closer spacing mean stronger grating?
Yes — more bearing bars per panel means higher load capacity, but also more weight and cost. Choose the spacing that matches the required load and the objects that need to be prevented from falling through.
Can you make custom bar grating sizes?
Yes. As a manufacturer, we produce custom bearing bar sizes, spacing and panel dimensions. Send us your drawings or load requirements and we will confirm the specification.
Get a Quote
Tell us the type, bar size, spacing and panel size you need, and our engineers will confirm the specification and give you a factory price. Explore our steel grating products or contact us for a quote within 24 hours.
Tel/Whatsapp: +8613363180165
Email: james@bangtuwiremesh.com
Website: www.bangtusteelgrating.com | www.chinasteelgrating.ru
