HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR GRATE DRAINAGE PRODUCTS

With myriad names and types, the modern grate drain, or strip drain, is now the #1 choice for bathrooms, balconies and swimming pools across Australia.
With so many options to choose from, in today’s blog post, we’re going to cover the most popular types of grate drains.

What’s a Grated Drain?

Grated drains¹, also known as strip, channel or trench drains, feature a long tray with a wire grate or cover that allows water to be quickly and effectively drained from wet areas including:

• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Swimming Pools
• Balconies

The waste water flows over the top of the cover and falls into the channel below. Due to their elongated shape, grate drains can offer a larger area of waste water removal.
A more recent addition to the grate drain product family is the tile insert drain, which features an extra tray on the top of the drain that allows a matching tile to be fitted to the top of the drain, further concealing the drain.

Grate Drain Types

Grate drains come in two main styles:

• wedge wire (grate), and
• tile-insert.

Either type of drain is highly effective at removing waste water, and both offer a sleek aesthetic.
Choosing between the two types is purely subjective and based on the look you’re wanting to achieve for your project.
A popular choice for swimming pool drainage is the wedge-wire which offers the classic stainless steel grate. While the tile insert option is the most popular choice for bathroom and shower drains.

Materials

Our grate drains are fabricated from the highest quality marine grade 316L Stainless Steel. It’s anti-corrosion and rust resistant properties make it the perfect choice for grate drain construction.
Depending on your aesthetic, we also fabricate using brass allowing you to match your tap-ware or brass/gold colour theme.
Grate drains can also be fabricated from different types of plastics, however we choose an all metal construction for durability, looks and life-span of the drain.
Our complete drain cover and tray is fabricated from either stainless steel or brass to ensure longevity and strength.
So to summarise choose from either:

• Stainless steel (Silver)
• Brass (gold)

Positioning and Layout

Grate drains aren’t limited in location, like point drains are. Grate drains can be positioned against a wall with one gradient fall, or more centrally located with a multi gradient fall to allow proper drainage.
The most popular location for a long grate drain is against the wall as it offers a sleek and concealed look for the drain.
This can also be influenced by the layout of your bathroom or balcony. If you’re unsure, check with your builder or plumber for the best advice relevant to your project.

Summary

In conclusion, the most important choices you need to make when selecting your grate drain are

If you have any questions regarding grate drain products, specifications or any trade enquires, please get in touch with our specialist team today.
With more than 40 years industry experience and the best range of metal fabrication machinery in Sydney, we’re your #1 local choice for drain products for both commercial and residential projects.