Ohio Gratings Walks the Walk with Landscape Architects
Bar grating specialist has been specified for several high-profile landscape architecture projects, including the ASLA green roof.

Since 1970, Ohio Gratings, Inc., has manufactured just one product: bar grating. This focus has allowed the company to innovate within the confines of the product, producing grating in a variety of metals and styles. The company produces aluminum, fiberglass, and light and heavy-duty steel grating systems in a variety of styles, from swaged to dovetail to riveted and flush top finishes. The company also manufactures a system, dubbed Wheels n Heels, which meets pedestrian requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act and load requirements for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

The company’s single focus has also resulted in an excellent working relationship with landscape architects, and its products have been specified in several high-profile landscape architecture projects. Here are just a few examples:

ASLA green roof

ASLA Green Roof Project, Washington, D.C.
Landscape Architect: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
Architect/Engineer: DMJM Architects\Engineering Firm
General Contractor: Forrester Construction Company
Application: Raised surface over green roof plants
Material: Aluminum I-Bar Grating with Slip-Resistant Surface 19SGI4 1” x 3/16” Slip-Not
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates designed the ASLA green roof with the goals of allowing occupation by many people at once while also maximizing the green coverage on the roof. To achieve this, the green roof system was initially designed to incorporate steel bar grating using a beamed structural support design. The intent of the design was to suspend the grating over plantings to take advantage of the open grid of the grating to expand the green roof surface.

For this application, Ohio Gratings recommended Aluminum I-Bar grating. Aluminum’s lightweight mass reduced the overall weight of the grating on the roof by two-thirds compared to similar steel grating, while its strength-to-weight ratio easily handled the span and loading requirements. In addition, aluminum’s corrosion resistance far outlasts galvanized steel, and it is naturally a much more attractive product. Because of inherent problems of plants growing up through the grating, causing a natural slippery surface when walked on, Slip-Not abrasive surface was selected to add traction.

Bear Grass Creek Nature Preserve, image courtesy of Ohio Gratings, Inc.

Bear Grass Creek Nature Preserve, St. Matthews, Kentucky
Landscape Architect: Wallace Roberts & Todd LLC
General Contractor: Century Construction
Application: Elevated walkway
Material: Dove-Tail Grating with a Slip-Not Finish

Bear Grass Creek Nature Preserve is a 12-acre park that acts as a buffer between residential neighborhoods and the region’s largest shopping mall and is split by Bear Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River. The creek is subject to frequent flooding, which extends into the adjacent residential areas. The increased development in the area dramatically raised the stormwater runoff into the creek. The original design of the wetlands was incorrectly graded, so when the preserve was redesigned the entire area underwent a new topography change.

An elevated walkway was designed for the area, sprawling through the preserve. WRT Senior Associate David Ostrich, ASLA, had used grating products in other projects the firm had done in the area and needed material that was strong, environmentally friendly, allowed light to filter through, and was both ADA and high heel compliant. The project ultimately used 3,000 square feet of close mesh Steel Dove-Tail Grating with bearing bar at 7/16” on center, with a Slip-Not finish applied. This product meets applicable ADA requirements.

General Motors Riverfront Plaza, image courtesy of Ohio Gratings, Inc.

General Motors Riverfront Plaza, Headquarters, Detroit, Michigan
Landscape Architect: Hargreaves Associates
Engineering Services: Albert Kahn Associates
General Contractor: John Carlo Company / Titus Welding
Application: Fountain
Material: ADA-Compliant 316 Stainless Steel Close Mesh Metal Bar Grating and Aluminum Grating

The General Motors Riverfront Plaza on the Detroit River is part of a citywide project to redevelop the city riverfront. When completed, it will transform over a mile of the city’s riverfront into walkways, parks, bicycle paths, and open green areas.

The plaza includes new landscaping, handrails, walkways, benches, and a large granite area with a world map featuring different color grating for each country. The project included stainless steel and aluminum grating for a water fountain and trench covers.

The fountains consist of 1,100 square feet of stainless steel metal bar grating that has a 7/16" center-to-center spacing. The 534-piece grating system includes several center holes in which a stainless steel escutcheon plate and nozzle assembly was inserted. The grating pieces were fastened down to the stainless steel frame system using a countersunk land design. Lights were then installed underneath the grating. Decorative brick paving blocks surround the fountain.