FRP Grating Winter Applications

national grating frp stair treads frp stair tread cover

Winter Applications for FRP Grating, Stair Treads and Railings

As the fall and winter seasons approach, many are gearing up to face the challenges that come with cold, wet, icy and slippery conditions. FRP Grating, Stair Tread, Railings and Structural products are ideal for cold weather and arctic applications as they have very low thermal conductivity and do not become brittle in extreme cold.

One of the most significant advantages of FRP grating, stair treads and stair tread covers in winter is their exceptional slip resistance. FRP surfaces are engineered to provide reliable traction, even when wet or covered in snow and ice. This can prevent accidents and ensure safe movement on stairs and walkways, both indoors and outdoors.

Slips trips and falls are the #1 cause of workplace injuries.

Choose FRP Grating for a safe workspace!

Consider FRP Grating, Stair Treads, and Railings for the following Benefits/Advantages:

1. Safety in Slippery Conditions:


One of the most significant advantages of FRP grating, stair treads, and handrails in winter is their exceptional slip resistance. FRP surfaces are engineered to provide reliable traction, even when wet or covered in snow and ice. This can prevent accidents and ensure safe movement on stairs and walkways, both indoors and outdoors.

2. Corrosion Resistance:


Winter weather often means exposure to salt and de-icing chemicals, which can be corrosive to traditional materials like steel. FRP is highly resistant to corrosion, making it an ideal choice for outdoor installations, such as walkways and handrails. Its durability ensures that these elements remain safe and functional throughout the winter season.

nation grating fiberglass reinforced plastic frp stair treads
FRP Stair treads with yellow nosing and grit top are the ultimate in winter safety!

3. Low Thermal Conductivity:


FRP has a low thermal conductivity, which means it does not readily transfer heat or cold. In winter, this can be a significant advantage. Handrails made of FRP won’t become uncomfortably cold to the touch, providing a more pleasant experience for those who need to hold onto them in chilly weather.

4. Low Maintenance:


FRP products require minimal maintenance. They do not rust, warp, or rot, and they’re highly resistant to the effects of freezing and thawing. This translates to cost savings and less time spent on upkeep during the winter season.

5. Longevity and Durability:


FRP materials are built to last. They can withstand the harsh conditions of winter without deteriorating. This long-term durability ensures that your infrastructure investments remain sound and reliable year after year.

6. Easy Installation:


FRP products are lightweight and easy to install, which can save time and resources, especially during winter when weather-related challenges can increase project complexities.


Embracing FRP grating, stair treads, and handrails during the winter season is a smart choice for safety, reliability, and longevity. These versatile materials offer a range of benefits that can help ensure that your infrastructure remains secure and functional, regardless of the weather conditions. Whether it’s in industrial settings, commercial properties, or residential areas, the advantages of FRP are undeniable during the challenging winter months.

National Grating FRP Products Designed for Winter Applications

national grating frp stair tread
Large openings in grating allow snow and ice to pass through

Fiberglass Stair Tread Covers

Fiberglass stair tread covers are excellent for use in heavy traffic areas, such as outdoor walkways. The anti-slip surfaces of these FRP stair tread covers are an important safety feature in walkways where moisture is present.

FRP Stair Tread Covers are molded, non-slip and gritted, with a yellow nosing for the ultimate in non-slip, high visibility surface. They are the ideal solution for outdoor and slippery all-weather applications, featuring high corrosion resistance, durable grit, and easy installation.

FRP Stair tread covers can be installed over wood, concrete or metal steps and are manufactured with a quartz grit-top surface and a standard nosing of highly visible yellow.

Fiberglass Stair Treads

Fiberglass stairs are the best solution for outdoor anti-slip stairs. Stair treads made of FRP grating are lightweight, easy to fabricate, and highly durable. 

Fiberglass stair treads are available as molded FRP treads with yellow nosing’s and a gritted surface, for the ultimate safety in wet or icy slippery conditions.

Optional gritted anti-slip top surface promotes safety while the large open area of the grating allows for water, snow and ice to simply pass through the material. 

national grating frp molded grating frp railing
FRP Grating with anti-slip Quartz grit top coating provides great grip in slippery conditions

Fiberglass Plate

Fiberglass plate is light in weight and is easy to install, and at the same time is durable and sturdy. Pultruded Fiberglass Plate is industrial anti-slip flooring that is corrosion resistant and outlasts traditional building materials like steel and even stainless-steel plate. Most safety flooring applications will benefit from using Fiberglass Plate, and the different types of grit (smooth, fine, diamond) can give slip resistance in a wide variety of slippery situations.

Molded FRP Grating

The ultimate safe walking surface for walkways, docks with an optional gritted anti-slip top surface that promotes safety while the large open area of the grating allows for water, snow and ice to simply pass through the material.

Heavy Duty Fiberglass Grating

Heavy Duty Grating is used to covers areas with heavy traffic.

Our High Load Capacity (HLC) molded grating is heavy duty, corrosion-resistant and low-maintenance. It’s engineered to carry heavy traffic like trucks and forklifts. HLC grating has many advantages over steel grating for performance and cost effectiveness. With a much higher strength-to-weight ratio, molded HLC fiberglass grating has optional top grit to provide extra grip in slippery outdoor applications. 

national grating railing
FRP Railings have a high strength to weight ratio allowing for easy install and a safe work space

Fiberglass Railing

Fiberglass Railing, Handrail and Ladder Systems are a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution for harsh outdoor environments. FRP railing systems provide inherent corrosion resistance, low thermal conductivity and they are easy to fabricate and install. The installed cost is much lower than steel, and because of the long life and low maintenance life cycle, the costs of fiberglass railing are significantly lower than traditional materials over their lifetime.

National Grating Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Grating Solutions:

Pultruded FRP Grating: The Ideal Solution for Marine Dry Docks and Rail Yards

Pultruded Fiberglass Reinforce Plastic (FRP) Grating is the ideal product Marine Dry Docks and Rail Yards across North America due to its many advantages over traditional building materials.

National Grating has been seeing high levels of interest in Pultruded FRP Grating for applications such as Marine Dry Docks in the great lakes and even as far north as Alaska (due to its winter advantages) as well as Rail Yards across North America.

T-5000 Pultruded FRP Grating in yellow was used to replace the previous material
T-5000 Pultruded FRP Grating in yellow was used to replace the previous material.

This Marine Towing Drydock has found the perfect solution for its demanding environment with the implementation of Pultruded T-5000 FRP Grating from National Grating. This innovative grating, engineered from fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), offers a comprehensive set of advantages that address the specific needs of the rail yard, ensuring enhanced performance and durability.

pultruded frp decking
A picture before T-5000 Pultruded FRP yellow grating was installed

Corrosion Resistance and Longevity
Pultruded FRP Grating is designed to withstand the harshest environments, making it an ideal choice for the Marine Towing Drydock Rail Yard. Its superior corrosion resistance, surpassing traditional materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized gratings, ensures longevity and minimizes maintenance requirements.

Heavy-Duty Performance
Engineered to carry higher loads, Pultruded T-5000 Grating delivers exceptional strength and stiffness, making it well-suited for the rigorous demands of the rail yard. Its heavy-duty design provides the necessary support for various operational activities, contributing to a reliable and robust infrastructure.

Safety and Efficiency
The safety surface of Pultruded T-5000 Grating, featuring a coarse epoxy grit, enhances worker safety, even in challenging conditions. This prioritization of safety aligns with the dry docks commitment to maintaining a secure working environment for its personnel.

Low Maintenance and Cost-Effectiveness
The implementation of Pultruded T-5000 Grating offers the  Marine Towing Drydock Rail Yard a low-maintenance solution, reducing the need for frequent repairs and upkeep. Furthermore, its cost-effectiveness and long-term performance make it a valuable investment for the rail yard’s operational infrastructure.

pultruded frp grating marine dock
Yellow Pultruded FRP Grating was chosen for this Alaskan application due to its long lifespan, non slip surface, light weight, resistance snow buildup.

Pultruded Grating stands as the optimal choice for a Marine Drydock, providing a durable, high-performance solution that addresses the specific requirements of the environment. Its corrosion resistance, heavy-duty performance, safety features, and cost-effectiveness make it an indispensable asset for the rail yard’s ongoing success and operational efficiency.

Pultruded FRP Grating in other Industries:

Pultruded Fiberglass Grating is commonly used in various industries due to its superior strength, corrosion resistance, and durability. Some potential industries where Pultruded T-5000 grating may be successfully implemented include:

  1. Marine and Offshore: Due to its corrosion resistance and durability, Pultruded FRP grating is suitable for marine and offshore applications, such as shipyards, docks, and offshore platforms.
  2. Industrial Manufacturing: Industries requiring heavy-duty flooring and grating solutions, such as manufacturing plants, chemical processing facilities, and industrial warehouses, can benefit from the high-strength and low-maintenance characteristics of Pultruded FRP grating.
  3. Transportation: The transportation sector, including railway facilities and infrastructure, can utilize Pultruded FRP grating for its durability and resistance to environmental factors.
  4. Construction and Infrastructure: In construction and infrastructure projects, Pultruded FRP grating can be used for walkways, platforms, and structural applications due to its high strength and corrosion resistance.

Characteristics of Pultruded Fiberglass grating make it a versatile solution for a wide range of industries that require durable, corrosion-resistant, and high-strength grating products.

pultruded frp fiberglass grating yellow grey
Yellow and Grey Pultruded FRP Grating compliments each other perfectly and presents an elevated level of safety due to high color contrast.
pultruded frp grating rail yard
Installation of Pultruded FRP Grating is fast and easy due to its lightweight nature.

Why choose Pultruded FRP Grating?

Pultruded FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) grating is often chosen over molded FRP grating or steel grating for industrial applications due to several key differences in their characteristics and performance. Here are the main reasons for choosing pultruded FRP grating:

Strength and Stiffness: Pultruded grating has a higher fiberglass concentration, making it stronger and stiffer than molded grating. This characteristic makes it suitable for applications requiring higher load-bearing capacity and longer spans.

Corrosion Resistance: Pultruded grating offers excellent corrosion resistance, making it ideal for harsh industrial environments where exposure to chemicals, moisture, and corrosive elements is a concern.

Heavy-Duty Applications: Due to its superior strength and load-bearing capabilities, pultruded grating is well-suited for heavy-duty industrial applications, such as manufacturing plants, chemical processing facilities, and offshore platforms.

Customization and Versatility: Pultruded grating can be customized to meet specific project requirements, offering versatility in panel sizes, resin systems, and other design features to accommodate various industrial applications.

Fire Retardant Properties: Some pultruded grating products are manufactured with fire retardant properties, making them suitable for applications where fire safety is a concern.

Pultruded Fiberglass grating is preferred over molded grating for industrial applications due to its higher strength, stiffness, corrosion resistance, suitability for heavy-duty use, and the ability to be customized to meet specific project requirements.

Pultruded FRP VS Steel and Wood Grating

pultruded frp grating dry dock
Pultruded FRP Grating was chosen in this application due to the deterioration of the wood and its fasteners.

Pultruded FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) grating is often chosen over steel grating for industrial applications due to several key advantages. Here are the main reasons for choosing pultruded FRP grating over steel grating:

  1. Corrosion Resistance: Pultruded FRP grating offers superior corrosion resistance compared to steel grating, making it ideal for corrosive environments, including chemical processing, marine, and industrial settings.
  1. Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Pultruded FRP grating provides high strength with a lower weight compared to steel, offering easier installation and reduced structural support requirements.
  1. Low Maintenance: FRP grating requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to chemicals, making it an attractive choice for industrial applications where exposure to water, chemicals, and cleaning agents is common.
  1. Safety Surface: The walking surface of pultruded grating often has a coarse epoxy grit bonded to the bearing bars, providing a safe surface for workers, even in wet conditions.
  1. Customization and Versatility: Pultruded FRP grating can be customized to meet specific project requirements, offering versatility in panel sizes, resin systems, and other design features to accommodate various industrial application.

Pultruded FRP grating is preferred over steel and wood grating for industrial applications due to its superior corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, low maintenance requirements, safety features, and customization options. These advantages make it a versatile and cost-effective solution for a wide range of industrial settings.

Other Industries Utilizing Pultruded FRP Grating:

  • chemical processing
  • food & beverage
  • marine
  • aquatic centers
  • oil & gas
  • power
  • manufacturing
  • construction
  • pharmaceutical
  • metals & mining
  • pulp & paper
  • recreation
  • water parks
  • telecommunications
  • shipping centers
  • transportation facilities
  • water & waste treatment