Deep Dive on Open Mesh Steel Flooring

In this blog we will be taking a close look at open mesh steel flooring, the stock products we are resurrecting and why they will benefit your projects in 2026.

What is Open Mesh Steel Flooring?

This flooring solution is comprised of simple steel bars that are welded to larger, rectangular weight-bearing sections of thicker steel. This structure allows for the flooring to have most of the strength of solid steel with far less of the weight, making it a favourite for architects and urban designers.

Because of its simple yet effective design, open mesh is an industry standard flooring option that can be used for both exterior and interiors of industrial and commercial buildings.

Applications and Industries

Below are just some of the industries that utilise open steel flooring.

Construction

As one of the UK’s biggest major economic sectors, the construction industry is constantly looking for ways to minimise costs and maximise efficiency. Open Mesh flooring is a tried and tested option that any worker would recognise. Built into temporary construction sites as well as a permanent fixture of buildings, open mesh floorings bring benefits such as airflow, drainage and slip-resistant surface for extra safety in this sometimes dangerous industry.

Waste Water Treatment Works

Open steel flooring benefits this industry as panels are easy to keep clean in areas of high traffic, are non-slip and best suited for areas where spills happen regularly. For example, we supplied flooring to Dunfermline’s Waste Water Treatment Works. Galvanised steel is the best option for ensuring longevity of flooring and reducing the chance of any future corrosion.

Ports and Loading Docks

Thanks to the exceptional load-bearing possibilities of cut and banded open mesh flooring, it makes an excellent option for the high traffic of loading docks and ports. Kite were proud to provide – amongst other products – an open mesh flooring solution that delivered durable, anti-slip surfaces for high-traffic and near-water areas at the docks in Leith. Read here to learn more about the project.

Pre-assembled Units

Not all of our products are assembled in the same place that they will ultimately be installed. This is exactly the case for our customer who specialised in fabricating structural modules to be used on offshore gas refinery units. Kite supplied Open Mesh Panels for slip-resistant, durable walkway surfaces across all levels. Read more about the project here.

Warehouses

The versatility of open mesh panels means that they can be installed as walkways in any configuration to suit any warehouse layout, from mezzanines to walkovers. As we will explore in detail below, stair treads can also be created from open mesh steel to create a seamless walkway system.

Data centres

As data centres generate huge amounts of power and heat, open mesh steel is an excellent flooring solution due to its ability to provide airflow and ventilation. Data centres often use water cooling systems – making the non-slip properties and corrosion resistance of galvanised open mesh all the more suitable.

Mines

Airflow and ventilation is also vitally import in mining, as well as flooring capable of withstanding heavy material loads. As flooring is supplied in panels, these can be scaled up if expansion is required – individual panels can be lifted and relocated with ease.

What do we mean by Ball-Proof?

A phrase that comes up open when discussing open mesh steel flooring is “ball-proof”.  Ball proof standards define maximum opening sizes in flooring, designed to prevent potential accidents caused through objects (such as tools or screws) falling through open mesh flooring. The ‘ball’ in ball-proof refers to the diameter size of a ball bearing that should not be able to pass through the apertures of open mesh.

British and European Standards such as BS EN ISO 14122 and DIN 18032 enforce strict standards for flooring to prevent potential accidents or fatalities, so we at Kite Group take this incredibly seriously.

Key Standards & Sizes

35mm Ball Proof: For walkways with occasional traffic, where people pass under, but aren't working directly below (e.g., general platforms).

20mm Ball Proof: For high-risk areas, such as platforms or walkways above where people are actively working or constant traffic passes (e.g., above machinery or in busy factory areas).

Non-Ball Proof: Suitable only for areas below head height where no one can pass underneath. For open mesh steel flooring to be non-ball proof, it would have to be installed with a solid steel sheet, such as Durbar metal, covering the open mesh apertures, leading to reduced ventilation and airflow.

What can Kite do for you?

Our open mesh panels come in the below sizes:

• 25x5, 34/100 Self Colour Open Mesh Grating 6M x 1M 

• 25x5, 23.5/100 Self Colour Open Mesh Grating 6M x 1M 

• 30x5, 34/100 Self  Colour Open Mesh Grating 6M x 1M 

• 35x5, 23.5/100 Self Colour Open Mesh Grating 6M x 1M 

Do you need customised dimensions? We can also supply varying sizes of panels, varying ball-proof apertures and different finishes depending on what your project requires. Speak to Kite today to find out more.

We also offer a range of safety at height projects that tie in with open mesh flooring. Why not check out our handrails, safe edge kits, ladders and kickplates that can integrate into a seamless safety system. Speak to one of our Sales team today to order up a system that comprehensively suits your needs.

Let’s talk about stair treads

Open mesh steel can be cut to size to create stair treads, creating an industry standard, safe, durable stair solution. As transitioning between levels is fraught with risk, the non-slip properties of open mesh steel stair treads are especially useful, as well as their natural draining properties.

Open mesh stair treads are suitable for industrial applications to create  a sleek, durable system. They are also highly suitable for commercial uses, such as our project supplying stair treads for Motherwell FC’s stadium.

What do we have in stock?

Straight from our warehouse to your site, Kite can supply :

• 25x5, 34/100 Galvanised Stair Tread 1000mm x 275mm 

• 25x5, 34/100 Self Colour Stair Tread, 1000mm x 275mm

We can also fabricate stair treads to any size and spec – just speak to our Sales team to find out more.

We also supply various stair nosings to be installed with stair treads: consider a highly visible GRP nosing strip to create a visual contrast, or one of our three patterns of steel nosing, all aptly named: octopus, pyramid or Durbar.

Galvanised or Self Colour?

When working with steel, decisions are required regarding the finish of your products.

Galvanised steel, i.e. steel that has been dipped in hot, molten zinc, has superior corrosion resistance to any other type of steel, and so choosing this option at order stage will pay dividends in the future. Galvanised steel often looks more appealing, another benefit of this long-lasting finish. 

Self-colour steel allows for a product to be more customisable at the user end: it is better suited to paint, powdercoating, or other finishes. In a pinch, our Zinga sprays are useful for turning mild steel into galvanised, even when a safety system has already been installed!

How soon can we get it?

Kite’s scope of supply is UK wide, we can ship to anywhere in mainland UK in just a few days. Delivery to islands may take up to a week. Please contact our Sales team to ship orders internationally.

You asked, and we listened. We understand that shorter lead times mean cheaper projects, mean more bids that can be won, so come and take this stock off our hands for us!

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