# Manually Welded vs Press-Welded Gratings Explained

![Custom shaped welded steel grating reviewed for manual and press-welded RFQ differences](https://qymetaltech.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/qymt-custom-shaped-steel-grating-gallery-01.jpg)

Manually welded gratings use welding and fabrication operations arranged around the panel drawing; press-welded gratings join cross bars to bearing bars under controlled pressure and welding in a repeated grid. The practical choice is how to produce the specified layout and details consistently. A regular welded panel can also receive cutouts, banding and other fabrication after the grid is made.

> **Quick choice:** Start with the required grid. Repeated panels with regular cross-bar positions are a natural starting point for press-welded production; drawing-specific cross-bar positions and special assemblies may require manual work. An irregular outline alone does not prove that the entire panel must be manually welded. In either route, load selection depends on the actual bars, clear span, support and load case.

## Practical difference

Press-welded grating normally uses controlled pressure and welding to join cross bars to bearing bars in a regular layout. It is commonly discussed for standard welded steel grating panels with repeated spacing.

Manually welded grating uses drawing-led welding and fabrication operations where the layout or quantity may not fit a regular production pattern. It may be discussed for custom-shaped panels, unusual cross bars, frames, heavy edge details, repair matching or small project batches.

These descriptions do not confirm strength, compliance or suitability by themselves. The buyer's specification and engineering requirements still control the RFQ.

## How the production routes affect a panel order

| Review point | Press-welded grating | Manually welded grating | What buyers should send |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical layout | Repeated bearing bar and cross bar pattern | Drawing-defined or special layout | Panel drawing and spacing |
| Quantity | Often suited to repeat panels | May suit custom or limited quantities | Total quantity and panel marks |
| Shapes | Standard rectangular panels plus specified fabrication | Custom shapes, frames or unusual details may be discussed | Cutout and perimeter drawing |
| Cross bars | Regular welded cross bar pitch | Cross bar layout may be drawing-defined | Pitch, type and welding notes |
| Surface | Smooth or serrated | Smooth or serrated | Surface request |
| Finish | Galvanized, painted, black steel or project wording | Same, subject to fabrication scope | Finish and inspection request |
| Decision basis | Specification, quantity and repeatability | Drawing complexity and fabrication scope | Complete RFQ pack |

## Real size examples: define the grid before comparing routes

The [QY steel bar grating specification examples](https://qymetaltech.com/steel-bar-grating/) provide the following dimensions. They describe product geometry, not a test result or a restriction to one manufacturing route.

| QY model | Bearing bar (mm) |
|---|---|
| G325/30/100 | 32 × 5 |
| G405/30/100 | 40 × 5 |

For G325/30/100, the product page states a 30 mm bearing-bar pitch and a 100 mm cross-bar pitch, both measured center to center. The 40 × 5 mm bar in G405/30/100 has a different depth; do not transfer a load or span value from the 32 × 5 mm example.

Pitch is not the same as a clear opening. For the stated 30 mm bearing-bar pitch and 5 mm bar thickness, the nominal gap between adjacent bar faces is 30 − 5 = 25 mm, before tolerances and any coating allowance. Keep a drawing’s clear-opening requirement separate from its center-spacing requirement.

For a regular 32 × 5 mm grid with repeated 100 mm cross-bar positions, discuss press-welded grid production first. If the drawing moves individual cross bars, adds a frame or requires special banding, identify those operations separately. The order can involve a regular welded grid plus later manual fabrication; “custom shaped” and “entirely manually welded” are not interchangeable descriptions.

Press-welded and pressure-locked are different terms. The [NAAMM standard-grating illustrations](https://naamm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/46mbg_531-24_ansi_approved.pdf#page=8) distinguish welded Type W from pressure-locked Type P. For the welded-versus-locked connection comparison, use the separate [welded vs press-locked guide](https://qymetaltech.com/resources/welded-vs-press-locked-grating/); this page compares two welding-production routes.

## Do not select by manufacturing name alone

The terms manually welded and press welded do not define bearing bar size, spacing, panel size, finish or load requirement. Buyers should first send the product drawing and required specification. QY can then review which manufacturing route fits the quotation scope.

If the project uses a named standard, welding procedure, inspection requirement or special acceptance criteria, include those documents. Do not assume a generic manufacturing label satisfies project compliance.

## Relationship to 19-W-4 grating

QY’s [19-W-4 product reference](https://qymetaltech.com/19-w-4-steel-grating/) gives bearing-bar centers of 1-3/16 in and cross-bar centers of 4 in. Using 25.4 mm per inch, these are 30.1625 mm and 101.6 mm: they are not exact substitutes for the 30 mm and 100 mm pitches in the metric example above. [ANSI/NAAMM MBG 531-24, Standard Marking System](https://naamm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/46mbg_531-24_ansi_approved.pdf#page=6) separates the grating type, bar spacings and bearing-bar size. Keep the drawing’s original designation and confirm the bar depth and thickness separately; a pattern code does not establish a load rating.

See the [19-W-4 steel grating RFQ guide](https://qymetaltech.com/19-w-4-steel-grating-press-welded-rfq/) for that specification intent.

## Custom fabrication details

Manual welding may be discussed when drawings include:

- Irregular panel outlines.
- Circular, pipe or equipment cutouts.
- Heavy banding, toe plate or frame details.
- Mixed panel sizes and panel marks.
- Special cross bar positions.
- Replacement panels that must match an existing layout.

These details should be shown on the drawing rather than described only in email.

## Information that settles the manufacturing choice

Before sending a manually welded or press-welded grating RFQ, prepare:

- Application and project specification.
- Preferred manufacturing wording if the project requires it.
- Bearing bar height, thickness and spacing.
- Cross bar pitch, type or drawing-defined layout.
- Smooth or serrated surface.
- Panel width, length, bearing direction and quantity.
- Cutouts, edge banding, toe plate, frames and clips.
- Material and finish.
- Welding or inspection requirement if specified by the project.
- Packing, destination and drawings.

## Related QY pages

- [Steel bar grating](https://qymetaltech.com/steel-bar-grating/) for welded grating product context.
- [19-W-4 steel grating RFQ guide](https://qymetaltech.com/19-w-4-steel-grating-press-welded-rfq/) for specification wording.
- [Custom-shaped steel grating](https://qymetaltech.com/custom-shaped-steel-grating/) for irregular panel context.
- [Steel grating weight RFQ guide](https://qymetaltech.com/steel-grating-weight-rfq-guide/) for weight and packing planning.
- [Steel grating RFQ checklist](https://qymetaltech.com/steel-grating-rfq-checklist-international-buyers/) for complete buyer details.
- [Contact QY Metal Tech](https://qymetaltech.com/contact/) when drawings and fabrication notes are ready.

## FAQ

### What is the difference between manually welded and press-welded grating?

Press-welded grating usually uses a regular welded bar layout, while manual welding may be discussed for custom shapes, unusual layouts, special details or limited quantities. The drawing should determine the quotation route.

### Is manually welded grating stronger than press-welded grating?

The manufacturing name alone does not confirm strength. Strength review needs bar size, spacing, support span, material, welding details, load requirements and engineering criteria.

### When should buyers ask about manually welded grating?

Ask about it when the drawing includes irregular shapes, special cross bar positions, frames, heavy edge details, replacement matching or other custom fabrication requirements.

### What details are needed for either grating type?

Send bearing bar size and spacing, cross bar pitch or layout, panel size, bearing direction, surface, finish, cutouts, edge details, quantity, packing, destination and drawings.







Related links

## Related products and RFQ guides

- [Steel grating products](https://qymetaltech.com/products/#steel-grating-metal-flooring)Open the related product family section.
- [Steel grating topic entry](https://qymetaltech.com/steel-bar-grating/)Steel grating family page for platform grating, stair treads, drain covers, serrated grating, galvanized grating and drawing-based RFQs.
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- [Steel Grating RFQ Checklist for International Buyers](https://qymetaltech.com/steel-grating-rfq-checklist-international-buyers/)RFQ checklist for steel grating buyers covering application, panel or opening size, bearing bar direction, support span, finish, quantity, packing, destination and drawings.
- [FRP Grating vs Galvanized Steel Grating for Wet Areas](https://qymetaltech.com/frp-grating-vs-galvanized-steel-grating-wet-areas/)Comparison guide for wet or corrosive area grating selection, covering FRP grating and galvanized steel grating by environment, traffic, support, cutouts and quotation details.

Source: https://qymetaltech.com/manually-welded-vs-press-welded-gratings-rfq/