Aluminum Grating Fence and Railing Panels
Aluminum fence panels are used where a galvanized fence would stain the surface below as the zinc washes off, or where the fence must stay visually light along a boundary. Fence and guard systems built from grating do three jobs that solid panels cannot: they let wind through, they let light through, and they let you see what is behind them.
Aluminum grating for fence guard
Aluminum bar grating weighs about a third of an equivalent steel panel and needs no coating: the natural oxide layer re-forms if scratched, so a scratched panel stays silver instead of rusting. It is used on ship decks, roof plant platforms, facades and anywhere the structure is weight-limited.
The limits are strength and galvanic corrosion. Aluminum is softer than steel, so panels in impact areas dent, and it must be isolated from steel or stainless fixings in wet conditions.
Selection notes for this application
Substation and switchgear enclosures, machine guards, stair and opening protection, bicycle railings and site boundary screens. The open area of a grating panel is typically 60-80 percent, which keeps wind load low enough that a light posts-and-rails frame is sufficient.
- Panel depth and support spacing set by aluminum grating
- Surface: serrated or gritted where wet or oily
- Fixings isolated from dissimilar metals
- Cut edges sealed, passivated or galvanized on site
Typical specifications
| Alloy | Bearing bar | Weight | Finish | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6063-T6 | 25x3 | 5.5 kg/m2 | Mill | Ceiling, screen |
| 6063-T6 | 30x4 | 7.0 kg/m2 | Mill / anodized | Walkway, ship deck |
| 6061-T6 | 40x5 | 12 kg/m2 | Mill | Platform, offshore |
| 6061-T6 | 50x5 | 15 kg/m2 | Mill | Heavy platform |
Related products and applications
Frequently asked questions
Why choose aluminum over steel grating?
Weight and maintenance. An aluminum panel is about a third of the weight and never needs painting, which matters on ships, roofs and structures with a load limit.
Does aluminum grating corrode?
It does not rust, but it can suffer galvanic corrosion where it touches steel or stainless in wet conditions. Isolating washers at every fixing prevent this.
Not sure which profile suits your site? Send the span, load and environment to our engineers and we will return a specification with drawings within one working day. Contact us or see the full product range.