Material and product decision guide
Welded Grating vs Swage-Locked Grating
Welding fuses the cross-bar intersection; swaging mechanically deforms a cross bar into the bearing bar. Neither label establishes capacity by itself.
Select only after the supplier identifies the exact construction, alloy or steel grade, bar geometry, support condition and published performance data.
Side-by-side decision matrix
This matrix is a screening aid. It identifies what must be compared; it is not a substitute for the approved design or product data.
| Decision | Welded grating | Swage-locked grating |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Resistance-welded intersection. | Mechanically swaged intersection. |
| Material availability | Commonly offered in carbon steel; other materials are supplier-specific. | Often associated with aluminum or other supplier-specific systems. |
| Capacity | Controlled by the complete product and span. | Controlled by the complete product and span. |
| Appearance | Welded industrial grid. | Mechanically locked grid; pattern varies by system. |
| Specification | State weld, finish and fabrication requirements. | State swage construction, alloy, temper and fabrication requirements. |
Choose Welded grating when
- Welded construction is named in the project documents.
- A matching load table and fabrication route are available.
- Coating and weld-area requirements are defined.
All conditions still need confirmation against the exact panel, support, load case and governing specification.
Choose Swage-locked grating when
- A proprietary swage-locked system is accepted.
- Low mass or a specified alloy is part of the design basis.
- The supplier's exact load and connection data are reviewed.
Ask the supplier to identify any qualification, exception or missing evidence before treating the option as equivalent.
Inputs required for a defensible comparison
A quotation cannot resolve the choice unless both suppliers receive the same technical basis. Include the following in the RFQ and record assumptions explicitly.
- Product designation and construction
- Material grade or alloy and finish
- Span, load footprint and deflection
- Panel joints, banding and attachment
- Approved substitutions and submittals
Related product information: Welded grating product information · Load and deflection basics. For preliminary sizing, use the load and deflection guide.
What this guide does not decide
It does not approve structural capacity, slip resistance, fire performance, chemical compatibility, electrical suitability, accessibility or legal compliance. Those decisions depend on the installed system, jurisdiction, test method and order-specific evidence reviewed by the responsible project team.
Primary references
Checked 2026-09-04. Confirm the edition and scope accepted by your project.