How to cut fiberglass grating, in short: use carbide or diamond tooling (one US maker recommends a diamond-coated saw blade for field cuts), support the panel on both sides of the line, then seal every cut edge with resin, as US guide specifications require.
What blade cuts fiberglass grating best?
Fiberglass grating is glass fiber in a thermoset resin, so it is cut and drilled with carbide or diamond tooling: US guide specifications name carbide or diamond tools, and one US maker recommends a diamond-coated saw blade for field cuts.
| Task | Tooling named in US guidance | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Straight field cuts across a panel | Saw with a diamond-coated blade (one US maker) | Support both sides of the cut so the panel does not pinch the blade or break out at the end of the cut |
| General cutting and drilling | Carbide or diamond tooling (US guide specification) | Ordinary steel-cutting tools are not the tooling these specifications name |
| Holes in pultruded grating | Carbide or diamond bit | Drilling pultruded grating can compromise its corrosion barrier; seal every hole |
| Sealing cut edges and holes | Vinyl ester or catalyzed resin, per the guide specification | Store resin at 70–85°F (21–29°C) per one US guide spec1 |
Notes
- 1Follow the resin kit supplier’s instructions.
How do you cut fiberglass grating, step by step?
Tools
- Saw with a diamond-coated or carbide blade
- Drill with carbide or diamond bits (for clip holes)
- Tape measure, square and marker
- Sawhorses or a bench to support both sides of the cut
- Clamps
- Brush for applying resin
- Safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection and a dust mask or respirator
Supplies
- Fiberglass grating panel
- Edge-sealing resin (vinyl ester or catalyzed resin, per the grating maker)
- Clean rags
Step 1: Check the layout before you cut
Confirm every cut panel will still rest on its supports; one US maker calls for at least 1-1/2" (38 mm) of bearing on each support. One US supplier says openings up to 10" (254 mm) can be cut in molded grating without added support, depending on depth; check larger openings with the load tables and an engineer.
Step 2: Mark the cut line
Mark on the top surface. On molded grating, decide whether the edge should be a closed-cell or an open-cell cut; on pultruded grating, specify random, uniform or equal bar stubs past the last cross rod. Put the cut where it leaves a clean bearing edge.
Step 3: Support and clamp the panel
Support the panel on both sides of the line and clamp it so it cannot shift. A panel sagging into the cut can pinch the blade and break out the last bars.
Step 4: Put on protective equipment
Wear safety glasses, gloves, long sleeves, hearing protection and a dust mask or respirator, and cut outdoors or with dust extraction. Follow your site safety plan and the resin’s safety data sheet.
Step 5: Cut with a diamond or carbide blade
Cut steadily along the line with the blade fully through the bars. Use a carbide or diamond bit for any clip holes, and keep drilling of pultruded grating to a minimum because it can compromise the corrosion barrier.
Step 6: Clean the cut face
Brush or wipe the dust off the cut edges and holes so the resin can bond to the cut face.
Step 7: Seal every cut edge and hole with resin
Coat the cut faces with the resin the grating maker specifies, usually vinyl ester or catalyzed resin. One US guide spec stores resin at 70–85°F (21–29°C); follow the resin kit instructions for mixing and cure.
Step 8: Install the cut panel
Set the panel with its bearing edges on the supports and fix it with hold-down clips; see how to install fiberglass grating.
How do cuts differ on molded and pultruded grating?
Molded grating is one piece with bars in both directions, so a cut anywhere leaves bars that still tie into the panel. Pultruded grating is bearing bars held together by cross rods, commonly 6" (152 mm) on center, so a cut across the bars leaves bar ends past the last cross rod and a cut along the bars removes whole bars.
| Point | Molded grating | Pultruded grating |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | One-piece panel with strength in both directions | Bearing bars joined by cross rods |
| Edge condition to specify | Closed-cell or open-cell cut | Random, uniform or equal bar stubs |
| Drilling | Seal holes with resin | Can compromise the corrosion barrier; seal holes |
Do cut edges of fiberglass grating have to be sealed?
Yes. A cut removes the molded or pultruded surface at the cut face, and US guide specifications require cut edges to be sealed with resin, usually vinyl ester or catalyzed resin. Seal drilled holes the same way, especially in pultruded grating, where drilling can compromise the corrosion barrier.
Store sealing resin at 70–85°F (21–29°C), as one US guide spec requires, and follow the kit instructions for mixing, pot life and cure. Strongrate’s DNV-listed models use isophthalic polyester, vinyl ester and fire-retardant orthophthalic polyester; ask for the matching sealing resin with your quote.
Can Strongrate cut grating to size before it ships?
Send your cut list with a quote request; the quote confirms whether panels can be cut to size before shipping, or plan on standard panels and field cutting. Strongrate grating is made in Nantong, China, and ships from China; orders under about 500 sq ft, or needed in under 3 weeks, are referred to US stocking importers.
Frequently asked questions
Does cutting fiberglass grating in the field affect the warranty?
The written warranty in your quote states how it treats field cuts, so ask before cutting and keep a record of each cut. Whatever the terms, US guide specifications require every cut edge to be sealed with resin. See terms, warranty and returns.
Can I drill holes in pultruded fiberglass grating?
You can, but one US maker cautions that drilling pultruded grating can compromise its corrosion barrier, so keep holes to a minimum and seal each one with resin. Friction clips that need no drilling exist for molded grating; see fiberglass grating clips.
Do cut pieces of DNV type-approved grating keep their marking?
The DNV certificate requires each grating to be marked with the brand and its fire rating, and the manual to be supplied with the product. If a job needs the DNV approval, ask in your quote request how cut pieces will carry the marking before you cut.
Request a quote
Send your panel sizes and cut list, and say whether you need factory cutting. Quotes within 1 business day (US Central time); the reply confirms routing and next steps.
Sources
- Fibergrate molded grating guide specification (Section 06610): tooling, edge sealing and resin storage (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Strongwell Section 06 74 13, FRP molded grating and stair treads specification (sealing cut edges) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Bedford grating FAQ (diamond-coated blade for field cuts) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Bedford PROGrid and PROGrate Grating Catalog 2025 (minimum bearing) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Fibergrate FAQ (drilling pultruded grating; surfaces) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- McNichols, Getting Started with Fiberglass Grating (cut types) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- McNichols MS-I-6010 pultruded grating spec page (cross-rod spacing) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- American Grating molded FRP grating page (cut-outs) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- DNV Type Approval Certificate TAF0000191 Rev. 1 (resin systems and marking conditions) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)