Covering a trench and allowing access to vehicles and pedestrians requires installing a road plate. But there are 2 types of road plates: Steel road plates and composite road plates. Which one is better? Which one is safer, and which one do you need for your project?
Steel road plates
Steel plates are the most commonly used plates to cover trenches and excavations in construction, urban projects, and underground work. These plates are strong and can bear heavy loads, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications and high-traffic areas.
As they are made of steel, there is no risk of cracks, dents or damage, which makes them robust and highly durable. However, the same thing that gives these plates their strength and durability (the steel) adds to their weight. They are lifted and positioned through a crane and can’t be lifted by hand.
Pros of steel road plates
- Heavy-duty
- Durable and long-lasting
- More affordable than composite plates
- Resistant to damage
Cons of steel road plates
- They are heavy
- Installation requires machinery
- Installation cost increases due to the machinery
At Legend Hire, we provide full support to our customers. From delivery to installation, we handle everything from start to finish, so our customers don’t have to be concerned about any aspect of the process. Check out how our team not only installed the road plates but also helped remove the existing ones, making our client’s project faster and safer.
Composite road plates
Composite road plates or composite mats are advanced and engineered alternatives to steel road plates. They are made of materials like fibreglass, rubber, resin and polymers. Their biggest advantage is their weight. They are easily lifted and positioned by two people, eliminating the need for a crane, making them safer than steel plates. This makes their installation and transportation super easy.
However, composite road plates are not as sturdy as steel plates and cannot bear the same heavy loads. Composite plates are not suitable for large excavations and for making temporary roads. They are ideal for covering small trenches, hence they are used for footpaths, driveways, and covering small areas.
Composite mats could get damaged or chipped, and don’t offer the same reliability and durability as steel road plates.
Pros of composite road plates
- Light-weight
- Easy installation and can be lifted by 2 people without a crane
- Fast and easier transport
- Safer due to light-weight
Cons of composite road plates
- Cannot bear heavy loads
- More expensive than steel plates
- Not suitable for high-traffic areas and long tranches
- Not as durable as steel plates
How to choose the right road plate for your construction needs?
Steel road plate vs composite: Which one is right for your project?
The following four points will help you determine which road plate you need. Note that this is not a protocolled assessment, and if you are still unsure after reading the points below, reach out to our team. We will help you make an informed decision that is safe, compliant and efficient for your project.
1. Load capacity
As mentioned before, composite plates cannot bear heavy weights. If your required load capacity is low, then you can consider composite plates. Think about footpaths, biking routes, and driveways. If you need to install road plates in a high-traffic area, like main roads, or need to support heavy machinery, then steel road plates will be your best option.
2. Area to be covered
Composite mats are most effective for small excavations. If you need to form a temporary road or have a large area to cover, steel plates are the right choice.
3. Cost
Consider your budget. Whether you are buying or hiring, steel road plates are more affordable than composite mats. The cost varies from supplier to supplier and depends on their policies.
To optimise for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, consider whether buying or hiring road plates is the better option for your project.
4. Installation
Consider the installation process. Do you have access to a crane and the required machinery to install steel plates? Legend Hire offers installation services, ensuring our customers do not need to manage machinery or additional equipment. Our team will install the plates on your site, like we did for one of our customers. A contractor needed a large quantity of steel plates to reopen a road. Our team delivered and installed all the plates within 3 hours and reopened the road for traffic.
| Use steel plates if | Use composite mats if |
| You require high load capacity (heavy machinery, trucks, or constant traffic) | Your project involves light loads |
| You need to cover a large excavation | You only need to cover small excavations |
| You need a cost-effective option | You don’t have a constrained budget |
| You have resources for installation (Legend Hire offers installation services, so you don’t have to worry about it) | You want a faster, manual installation without cranes |
The final verdict
Steel plates have been used long before composite plates were designed. You can use steel road plates for any trench covering or evening out any surface, no matter the load capacity. Composite mats are a modern alternative to steel plates, with their specifications and limitations. However, steel plates can fit any project requirements.
If you’re looking for high-quality road plates for hire in Australia, Legend Hire provides road plates with quick delivery, professional installation and complete customer support.