GI Grating for Warehouses, Mezzanines and Platforms
GI grating is a galvanised steel grid made of load-bearing bars and cross bars, welded into strong, open panels. In warehouses and industrial buildings across the UAE it is used for mezzanine floors, walkways, racking decks, platforms and drain covers, wherever you need a strong surface that lets light, air and water pass through.
What Is GI Grating?
GI stands for galvanised iron. The grating is made from flat steel bearing bars set on edge, joined by twisted or round cross bars, then hot-dip galvanised to protect it from rust. The bar height, thickness and spacing decide how much load it carries and how far it can span between supports.
Where GI Grating Is Used
- Mezzanine floors: a strong, open deck for steel structure mezzanines and rack supported mezzanines.
- Multi tier walkways in multi tier racking systems.
- Racking decks for heavy point loads on pallet racks.
- Platforms and catwalks around machinery and roof equipment.
- Stair treads with anti-slip nosing.
- Trench and drain covers in yards and loading areas.
Benefits of Galvanised Grating
- High strength-to-weight ratio: carries heavy loads with less steel.
- Corrosion resistant: galvanising protects against UAE humidity and coastal air.
- Open area: lets light, air and sprinkler water through to the level below.
- Self-cleaning: dust and liquids do not collect on the surface.
- Anti-slip options with serrated bars for wet or oily areas.
How to Choose the Right Grating
| Factor | What to tell us |
|---|---|
| Load | Foot traffic, trolleys, pallet trucks or forklifts |
| Span | Distance between supports, in the direction of the bearing bars |
| Bar size and pitch | Height and thickness of bearing bars and their spacing |
| Surface | Plain or serrated (anti-slip) |
| Panel size | Lengths and widths to fit your structure |
GI Grating vs Drop Over Panels
For racking shelves that hold small loose items, GI drop over panels give a solid surface. For walk-on floors, platforms and heavy point loads, GI grating is stronger and lets water and light through.
Key Grating Terms Explained
- Bearing bar: the main flat bar that carries the load; it must span between supports.
- Cross bar: the bar welded across the bearing bars to hold them in position.
- Pitch: the centre-to-centre spacing of the bearing bars or cross bars.
- Banding: a flat bar welded around the cut edges of a panel for a neat, strong edge.
- Serrated grating: notched bearing bars that give extra grip in wet or oily areas.
Fixing and Installation
Grating panels must be fixed so they cannot move or lift. Fixing clips hold the panels to the supporting steel, and panels should sit fully on their supports at both ends. Around columns, stairs and openings, panels are cut and banded on site. Our installation team handles the measuring, cutting, fitting and clipping so the floor is safe to walk on from day one.
Caring for GI Grating
Hot-dip galvanised grating needs little maintenance. Keep it free of heavy debris, check fixing clips during routine inspections, and replace any panel that has been bent by an impact. If you cut or drill grating on site, treat the cut edges with zinc-rich paint to keep the protection.
Typical Applications by Industry
| Industry | Common use |
|---|---|
| Logistics and 3PL | Mezzanine floors and multi tier walkways |
| Manufacturing | Machine platforms and access catwalks |
| Building materials | Heavy racking decks and yard drain covers |
| Food and beverage | Washable platforms and drainage areas |
Why Galvanised Instead of Painted
Painted grating looks good on day one, but foot traffic, trolleys and pallets wear the paint quickly, and bare steel then rusts, especially in humid UAE summers. Hot-dip galvanising bonds a zinc layer to the whole panel, including the inside of every joint, giving long-lasting protection with no repainting.
Supply, Cutting and Installation
Metalraking supplies GI grating panels cut to size, with banding and fixing clips, and installs them on mezzanines, walkways and platforms in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and all over the UAE. Send your drawing or measurements and the load, and we will propose the right grating and a clear price.
GI Grating Specification and Sizes
A GI grating specification names the bearing bar size (height × thickness), the bar pitch, the cross bar and the panel size. Common GI grating sizes we supply:
| Item | Common options |
|---|---|
| Bearing bar | 25×3, 25×5, 30×3, 32×5, 40×5, 50×5 mm |
| Bearing bar pitch | 30 mm or 40 mm |
| Cross bar pitch | 50 mm or 100 mm |
| Panel size | Cut to your mezzanine or walkway layout |
| Finish | Hot-dip galvanised (GI), plain or serrated surface |
GI Grating Weight (Approximate)
GI grating weight depends mainly on the bearing bar size and pitch. The table below is an approximate guide for 30 mm bearing bar pitch with cross bars at 100 mm, including galvanising:
| Bearing bar | Approx. weight per m² |
|---|---|
| 25 × 3 mm | about 24 kg |
| 30 × 3 mm | about 28 kg |
| 25 × 5 mm | about 37 kg |
| 32 × 5 mm | about 47 kg |
| 40 × 5 mm | about 58 kg |
| 50 × 5 mm | about 72 kg |
See it in a real project: multi tier racking with GI grating walkways for a plastic factory in Sharjah.
Related guides: Steel grating vs floor grating · Best steel suppliers in the UAE.