How Does Sidewalk Grating Improve Drainage in Urban Walkways?

How does sidewalk grating improve drainage in urban walkways?

Learn how sidewalk grating improves drainage in urban walkways and how to choose the right system for municipal and commercial projects.

Drainage is one of the biggest challenges in cities and commercial spaces. Without the right surface design, water can pool on sidewalks, freeze into ice, and create hazards that slow down foot traffic. Sidewalk grating helps prevent these issues by allowing stormwater and melting snow to pass through the surface and into the drainage system below. This reduces standing water and helps improve overall walkway safety throughout the year.

Supporting Stormwater Flow and Flood Prevention

Sidewalk grating offers continuous openings that let water move quickly off the walking surface. In plazas, transit areas, and high-use commercial walkways, this helps reduce flood risk during heavy rain or spring melt. Good drainage design also lowers long-term surface damage since freeze–thaw cycles can cause cracking, shifting, and early wear.

Built to Meet Urban and Municipal Needs

Many cities now require surfaces that improve pedestrian comfort while supporting drainage. Sidewalk grating can be manufactured with specific bearing bar spacing to meet free-air requirements, ventilation needs, and municipal drainage guidelines. This helps engineers and contractors match the right product to the site’s performance goals.

Choosing a Sidewalk Grating System That Works

Not all sidewalk grating is the same, and selecting the right one starts with understanding the demands of the space. Key considerations include:

  • Material selection such as carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminium, depending on corrosion exposure and surrounding conditions
  • Load requirements for areas where service vehicles or maintenance equipment may need access
  • Slip-resistant finishes like ALGRIP® or mechanically punched serrations for safer footing in wet or icy conditions
  • Spacing and configuration to support drainage, airflow, and comfort underfoot
  • Compliance with standards like ANSI/NAAMM MBG 534-24 and local municipal codes

These factors help ensure the chosen sidewalk grating performs well in both everyday and demanding conditions.

Why Proper Selection Matters

A well-chosen sidewalk grating system improves durability, supports stormwater management, and creates safer public walkways. When specified correctly, it also reduces maintenance requirements and helps extend the life of surrounding surfaces in high-traffic environments.

Plan your Project with a Trusted Canadian Manufacturer

For more than 65 years, Borden Metal Products has supplied heavy-duty grating across Canada. Our riveted, pressure-locked, squeeze-locked, and resistance-welded products are manufactured in Beeton, Ontario, and support the needs of industrial, commercial, and municipal environments where strong and dependable surfaces are essential.

If you need help choosing the sidewalk grating for your project, our team is ready to assist you. Contact us to book a consultation.