McNICHOLS® Expanded Metal
Overview
McNICHOLS® Expanded Metal is made by slitting and stretching metal sheets to create diamond-shaped openings. This practical and versatile product line forms screens, window security panels, machine guards and more. Decorative Expanded items are popular in shelving, signage and ceiling tile applications. Expanded Metal is supplied in a Standard (Raised) diamond pattern or a Flattened variety, and materials include Aluminum, Carbon Steel, Galvanized Steel and Stainless Steel. Expanded Metal Grating and Catwalk Grating are also part of our vast in-stock selection. Numerous gauges, opening sizes and sheet sizes provide endless options that will surely fit your project requirements!
Ordering
The following selections are important considerations to help you choose the right McNICHOLS® Expanded Metal product for your project or application. Please specify:
Application
Product applications/uses include screening, ventilation, security enclosures, machine guards, ramps, catwalks, walkways, platforms, cabinet inserts and more. We invite you to browse Expanded Metal applications in our Product and Application Gallery.
Design Direction
Determine the design direction (pattern direction). The Long Way of Design (LWD) runs parallel to the length of the sheet for the majority of inventory items.
Expanded Type
Choose from a wide variety of Flattened, Standard (Raised), Grating, Catwalk Grating or Designer Expanded types.
Percent Open Area
Choose the percentage of open area desired in the Expanded Metal sheet.
Primary Material
Select the primary material type including Aluminum, Carbon Steel, Galvanized Steel or Stainless Steel,taking into consideration climate or environmental realities. We provide more information on Primary Material Types in the links provided in the Overview section on the Expanded Metal Resources landing page.
Product Size, Form & Quantity
Determine the number of sheets and/or sizes including cut-to-size pieces and shearing preference (e.g. Bond Shear or Random Shear).
Product Finish
Inventory is typically “mill finish” unless otherwise specified. We provide more information on Product Finishes in the links provided in the Overview section on the Expanded Metal Resources landing page.
Special Requirements
Specify any requirements such as fabrication, edge treatments, finishing, non-standard tolerances, etc. If your project calls for Infill Panels, an Infill Panel Worksheet is available in the Overview section on the Expanded Metal Resources landing page.
Style & Type
Choose the Short Way of Design (SWD) measurement in inches, material gauge number or thickness in inches and expanded type (i.e. 3/4" No. #9 Flattened). For Grating and Catwalk Grating items, select the pounds per square foot desired (e.g. 3.14 # Grating (Standard), etc.).
Accessories
Determine if Expanded Metal Accessories such as Angle, Flat Bar, U-Edging framing solutions or Fasteners are required for your application.
Charts
View McNICHOLS® Expanded Metal Resources on tolerances, available sizes and more!
- Common Fractions & Decimal / Millimeter Equivalents
- Expanded Metal Grating & Catwalk Grating Application Guide
- Expanded Metal Tolerances
- Infill Panel Worksheet
- Learn More About Infill Panels
- Primary Material Types
Tables
This McNICHOLS® Expanded Metal load table can be saved, printed or shared!
Grating & Catwalk Grating - Metals (Aluminum, Carbon Steel & Stainless Steel)