How to Order Metal Grating from McNichols Without Wasting $1,200 – A 5‑Step Checklist

Who This Checklist Is For

If you’re ordering from McNichols for the first time – or even the fifth – and you’ve ever stared at a product page wondering if you picked the right type of metal grating, this is for you. I’m the guy who once ordered $1,200 worth of mcnichols mesh that turned out to be completely unusable. The wrong opening size, wrong material, wrong everything. That mistake cost me a week of rework and a very uncomfortable conversation with my boss.

Since then I’ve processed over 200 orders from McNichols, and I’ve documented every single error I’ve made. This checklist covers the five things I now check before hitting “submit.” Follow it and you’ll save time, money, and your reputation.

Step 1: Confirm What You Really Need – It’s Not Always “Grating”

You might have typed “mcnichols metal grating” into Google because that’s what you’ve always called it. But McNichols carries perforated metal, expanded metal, wire mesh, fiberglass grating, stair treads – the list goes on. I once spent three hours designing a floor deck with bar grating, only to realize I actually needed mcnichols mesh (specifically, woven wire mesh) for a filtration application. Different product, different specs, different price point.

Checkpoint: Before you do anything else, pull the project drawing or spec sheet. Does it call for “welded wire mesh” or “heavy‑duty grating”? If you’re unsure, call McNichols tech support. I wasted $450 because I assumed “grating” was a catch‑all term.

Step 2: Nail the Dimensions – Measure Twice, Order Once

Obvious, right? But here’s where I’ve seen people (including me) mess up: they measure the clear opening but forget to account for bearing bar width or banding. I ordered 48″ × 36″ panels that were supposed to fit into a pit. They didn’t. Why? I measured the pit opening at 48″, but the grating I chose had 2″ bearing bars on each end, making the actual panel 52″ wide. That was a $300 mistake.

Checkpoint: When specifying dimensions, indicate whether the measurement is overall (including frame/bars) or clear opening. McNichols’ cut‑to‑size service can do either, but you have to tell them.

Step 3: Know Your Load Requirements – “Heavy Duty” Isn’t a Spec

I used to think “heavy duty grating” meant it could handle anything. Then I put it in a warehouse aisle where forklifts drove daily. The bars bent within a month. The lesson: you need actual load ratings (lb/sq ft or concentrated load). McNichols provides load tables for every grating type. Don’t guess.

On a $3,200 order for a mezzanine floor, I spec’d 1‑1/4″ × 3/16″ bars because it was “standard.” The structural engineer rejected it because the deflection exceeded building code. Redesign + reorder = $890 in extra cost and a two‑week delay.

Checkpoint: Look up the load table for your specific product. If you’re not an engineer, ask one – or ask McNichols’ application team. They’ve seen every mistake before.

Step 4: Match the Material to the Environment – Rust Is Expensive

Stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, fiberglass – each has a different corrosion resistance and price. I once ordered plain steel grating for an outdoor platform near the coast. It started rusting in six months. The client was furious. Replacing it with galvanized would have cost only 15% more upfront. Instead, I paid for removal, new material, and installation. Total waste: about $1,500.

Checkpoint: Where will the grating live? Indoors? Outdoors? Near chemicals? Check the material compatibility chart on McNichols’ website. If in doubt, go one grade up – the extra cost is cheap insurance.

Step 5: Don’t Forget the Accessories – Trim, Treads, and Clips

The grating itself is only half the job. You’ll likely need stair treads (pre‑made or cut‑to‑size), clips and fasteners, and sometimes edge trim. I once ordered 20 pieces of grating but forgot the scholar trim (actually, it’s schlueter trim – a common mis‑spelling for decorative edging). Without trim, the edges were sharp and looked unfinished. Had to order it separately, paying a rush fee.

And yes, I’ve even had a client search for “magic john screen protector” thinking it was safety mesh – that’s a different product entirely. Don’t confuse unrelated search terms; stick with exact McNichols nomenclature.

Checkpoint: Make a list of every accessory you might need: clips, banding, welding blanks, trim, nosings. Add them to your cart before submitting. A single missing clip can delay installation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. “The cheapest option will save money”

From my experience managing 200+ orders, the lowest quote has cost us more in about 60% of cases. That $200 savings on plain steel turned into a $1,500 problem when it corroded. Every time you compromise on material or load rating, ask yourself: what’s the total cost if it fails?

2. Guessing the opening size

I’ve seen people order 1″ × 4″ openings because it looked “standard.” But if your application requires 1‑1/4″ square openings for safety (OSHA rules), you’ll get a reject. Always check the specification.

3. Not verifying lead times

McNichols fabricates many products to order. A “stock” item might still take 3‑5 business days. I once needed grating in 2 days and had to pay a 25% rush premium. That could have been avoided by planning ahead.

4. Confusing product terms

When you search “mcnichols metal grating” you’ll get results. But if you accidentally type “mcnichols mesh” or even “how much is a storage unit” (someone actually asked me that thinking storage unit flooring is the same as grating), you’ll waste time. Stay focused on your exact need.

The Bottom Line

McNichols is a reliable supplier – I’ve used them for years. But a reliable supplier can’t fix a wrong order. Use this five‑step checklist every time you buy metal grating, mesh, or stair treads. Measure twice, check the material, verify the load rating, include the extras, and question the cheapest option. Your project (and your budget) will thank you.

And if you ever find yourself second‑guessing after placing the order – welcome to the club. I’ve been there. Just run through this list before you hit submit.