Diamond Plate Metal Installation

Correct installation of flooring is an important step in ensuring the safety of those who use the surface.  Uneven areas, turned up edges, sharp corners and loose surfaces must all be avoided.  Diamond plate metal is a very common surface throughout industrial, commercial and even residential properties. 

If you are using diamond plate metal because it was specified on a job it is important to make sure the plate you have meets industry standards set by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).  If the diamond plate you are cutting is going to be used in a wet environment after fabricating it to the specific size needed it can be coated with a highly abrasive non-slip surface.  SLIPNOT Metal Safety Flooring can provide diamond plate that is completely slip resistant and ready for installation or diamond plate can be shipped to them for the surface to be applied.  This surface ensures safety for pedestrians and workers.

How to safely install diamond plate metal:

1.)    Make sure you have the correct shape/size/measurements for the area you want to cover

Carefully measure the length, width and any special features of the area you are covering and accurately transfer those measurements to the back of the diamond plate.  Due to the fact that the top of the diamond plate metal has raised bumps, the back of the diamond plate is flat and is the best place to use a black marker for your outline.

2.)    Choose the correct saw type to cut your plate

Depending on the shape you are cutting out choose a Band saw, a table saw or circular saw.  For intricate shapes a Band saw may be best.  For larger rectangular shapes a table saw or circular saw may be easiest and most accurate

3.)    Remove sharp edges and burs

Sharp edges and burs can cause injury and will not be aesthetically pleasing; you should sand any edges that were cut in order to avoid this.

4.)    Drill even holes in the tread plate edge

For general use make sure that you drill even holes in the tread plate edge.  They should be about a ½” from the edge itself.  A good distance apart is about every 10”.  You can adjust this depending on size or shape of the floor plate.  Using a ¼” diameter drill bit is a good start.

5.)    Secure the diamond plate to your metal or wooden surface

Metal surface covering – If you are covering a metal surface with the diamond plate, place it over the surface and mark the holes on the existing surface.  Drill holes in the existing surface for ease of installation.  If you used a ¼” drill bit on the diamond plate, be sure to use a 1/8” holes and then secure the diamond plate metal to the surface with 1/8” self tapping metal screws.  A self tapping metal screw is designed to tap their own mating thread into the surface they are driven into.

Wooden surface covering – If you are covering a wooden surface with the plate you do not need to drill holes into the wood before placing the diamond plate on it.  Simply use 1/8” wood screws to secure the plate to the wood.

If you are using diamond plate metal because it was specified on a job it is important to make sure the plate you have meets industry standards set by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).  If the diamond plate you are cutting is going to be used in a wet environment after fabricating it to the specific size needed it can be coated with a highly abrasive non-slip surface.  SLIPNOT Metal Safety Flooring can provide diamond plate that is completely slip resistant and ready for installation or diamond plate can be shipped to them for the surface to be applied.  This surface ensures safety for pedestrians and workers.

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