Drainage Grate & Channel Sets: Choosing the Right Style for Your Project

A good drainage system should collect surface water efficiently, provide a safe walking surface and blend into its surroundings. The grate pattern you choose for your channel drainage affects all three, so it is worth matching the style to the project as well as the location.

Our galvanised drainage grate and channel sets are available in three styles — Traditional, Heelguard and Linear Heelguard — in Class B AS 3996-compliant configurations, with galvanised steel construction and channel widths of 150mm, 230mm and 300mm. All three are suited to residential, landscaping, pedestrian and other light-duty environments.

💧 Three Grate Styles, One Practical Drainage Solution

Traditional is the familiar open-grate pattern: a straightforward balance of drainage performance, durability and cost-conscious practicality. It suits projects where drainage is the priority and a conventional grated appearance fits naturally into the surrounding surface.

Heelguard uses narrower openings that help reduce the chance of footwear or small objects catching in the grate. It is worth considering for patios, walkways, pool surrounds and other areas where people regularly cross the channel. As with any grate, performance depends on open area, channel size and site conditions, so the complete system should be sized for the expected water flow.

Linear Heelguard takes the pedestrian-friendly concept a step further with a streamlined linear pattern that blends cleanly into paving, concrete and other finished surfaces — an appealing choice for contemporary landscaping, courtyards, pool surrounds and visually sensitive areas where drainage should not dominate the design.

📊 Traditional vs Heelguard vs Linear Heelguard

Compare the key features of each style below.

Traditional

• Pedestrian safety: Good
• AS 3996 compliance: Class B
• Water flow capacity: Generally good due to open grate pattern
• Appearance: Conventional and practical
• Best for: General drainage and practical applications
• Construction: Galvanised steel
• Width options: 150 / 230 / 300mm

Heelguard

• Pedestrian safety: Narrower openings for improved footwear safety
• AS 3996 compliance: Class B
• Water flow capacity: Depends on open area and channel size
• Appearance: Practical with a pedestrian-focused pattern
• Best for: Walkways, patios, pool surrounds and pedestrian areas
• Construction: Galvanised steel
• Width options: 150 / 230 / 300mm

Linear Heelguard

• Pedestrian safety: Narrow linear openings for pedestrian areas
• AS 3996 compliance: Class B
• Water flow capacity: Depends on slot/open area and channel size
• Appearance: Clean, modern and minimalist
• Best for: Contemporary landscaping, architectural and visually sensitive areas
• Construction: Galvanised steel
• Width options: 150 / 230 / 300mm

Important: All three options are Class B products. Class B is a light-duty rating, not a heavy-traffic road or commercial-vehicle rating — the appropriate load class should always be selected according to the actual traffic conditions and project requirements.

📏 Choosing the Right Channel Size

Sets come in three channel widths — 150mm, 230mm and 300mm, with depth varying by width — and standard overall lengths of 1, 2 and 3 metres, making it easier to plan a drainage run without unnecessarily joining short sections.

When selecting a width, look beyond the physical space available: the required drainage capacity depends on the catchment area, surface type, site fall, rainfall conditions and where the collected water is discharged. You can compare all width and length options on our grate and channel collection page.

Galvanised steel is the standard finish across all three styles, combining structural strength with corrosion protection suited to outdoor drainage. As with any galvanised product, service life will depend on the environment, exposure conditions, installation and maintenance.

🛠️ Installation: Small Details Make a Big Difference

A quality channel can still perform poorly if it is installed incorrectly. Many drainage problems come from the installation rather than the grate itself. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. The grate is installed too high

Problem: Water flows past the channel instead of entering it. Solution: Set the finished grate level carefully relative to the surrounding paving or concrete, and check the finished levels with a straight edge or suitable level before fixing everything permanently.

2. The channel has insufficient fall

Problem: Water remains standing in the channel rather than draining effectively. Solution: Establish the required fall before installation and maintain it consistently along the whole run — do not rely on the grate to compensate for an incorrectly levelled channel.

3. The surrounding surface is higher than the grate

Problem: A lip forms that prevents water from entering the channel efficiently. Solution: Plan the finished surface level before fixing the frame so the grate and surrounding surface form a smooth, intentional transition.

4. Insufficient support around the frame

Problem: The grate or frame can move, flex or become uneven after installation. Solution: Make sure the frame is properly supported and surrounded by the specified bedding or concrete system — the grate should not be expected to carry loads independently of its supporting installation.

5. Choosing the grate before considering the water volume

Problem: The drainage system is undersized for the area. Solution: Consider the catchment area and expected stormwater volume before deciding on the channel width. A wider channel is not automatically necessary for every project, but larger catchment areas may require greater drainage capacity.

6. Not checking the finished level before the concrete sets

Problem: Once the concrete has cured, correcting a grate that is too high, too low or out of alignment becomes a much bigger job. Solution: Check the grate alignment, level, fall and connection points before the surrounding concrete is allowed to set — a few minutes of checking can save considerably more time later.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are all three grate styles AS 3996 compliant?

Yes. All three are offered in Class B AS 3996-compliant configurations. Compliance should always be considered together with the intended application and correct installation.

Can Class B grates be used for vehicles?

Class B is a light-duty classification and can cover areas where light vehicle access is permitted under the relevant application. It should not be assumed suitable for heavy commercial traffic, roadways or other heavy-duty environments — if regular heavy vehicles will cross the channel, a higher load class may be required.

What widths and lengths are available?

Channel widths are 150mm, 230mm and 300mm (channel depth varies with the selected width), and standard overall lengths are 1, 2 and 3 metres.

Which style is safest for pedestrians?

All three are designed for their intended Class B application, but Heelguard and Linear Heelguard use narrower openings and are particularly suited to areas where pedestrian interaction with the grate is an important consideration.

Does a wider channel always drain more water?

Not necessarily. Drainage performance depends on the complete system — channel dimensions, grate open area, slope, catchment area and downstream discharge — so the correct width should be selected based on the site's drainage requirements rather than simply choosing the widest option.

Can the grates be used around pools?

They can be considered for suitable pedestrian applications, but pool and wet-area installations may have additional requirements depending on the project, location and applicable regulations. Always check the requirements relevant to your specific installation.

How do I prevent the grate from sitting unevenly?

Careful preparation is the key: establish the correct level and fall, provide proper support beneath and around the frame, and check the grate alignment before the surrounding concrete or paving is finalised.

✅ A Simple Way to Get the Right Drainage Setup

Before choosing, ask four quick questions: where will the channel be installed, who or what will travel over it, how much water needs to be handled, and what appearance suits the finished project?

"With three grate styles, three channel widths and three standard lengths, there is plenty of flexibility to build the drainage solution around the project rather than forcing the project to fit a single design. The result is simple: effective drainage, a practical walking surface and a grate that looks right for the space."

🛒 Explore the Full Grate and Channel Range

Ready to choose? Browse the complete range of drainage grate and channel sets — all three styles, in 150mm, 230mm and 300mm widths, and 1, 2 and 3 metre lengths — on our grate and channel collection page and find the right set for your project.