When you need drainage solutions with the right aesthetics and performance, a composite stone drain cover is a great option. Many of the advantages of stone drain covers come from the qualities of the natural aggregates. Our guide explores the benefits of stone drain covers and their versatility for different applications.
Aesthetic Advantages
Stone drain covers and grates can create a seamless, visually appealing finish. This helps you fit a functional drainage element into your overall visual design. When compared to traditional materials like metal grates, stone drain covers blend in more naturally. Standard metal drain covers can interrupt a landscape as they provide too much contrast.
You can choose from a wide range of colors and tones when selecting a stone drain cover. There are also various textures and even custom patterns. This allows you to match the drain cover to the surrounding pavers.
These aesthetic advantages allow you to subtly embrace and complement your existing design scheme. The sump covers at the Tarrawarra Museum of Art in Australia are a good example. The warm, natural tone of the sump covers, combined with a minimalist pattern, matches the surrounding pathways. This means the eye is not distracted from the site's natural beauty.
Functional Benefits
Urban environments require designs that look good and perform well. Here are the benefits that make stone drain match and exceed traditional materials:
- Durable: Made from naturally durable aggregates, stone drain covers are strong and wear-resistant, which means they have a long service life.
- Corrosion-resistant: Engineered stone composite drain covers resist corrosion and weathering.
- Nonslip: The natural finish of the aggregates has a textured surface, providing more friction when wet. This is important for increasing pedestrian safety and meeting ADA standard Section 302.1 General, which says floor and ground surfaces should be stable, firm and slip-resistant.
- Low-maintenance: Because stone drain covers are highly resistant to rust, you can prevent the staining that occurs from many types of metal drains. This reduces the need for cleaning and maintaining the surrounding area. Also, the natural aggregates dictate the color of the stone drain cover. Any scratches or wear do not reveal the unpainted surface underneath, as metal drains might.
- Heat-reflective: Stone drain covers can also reflect more heat compared to asphalt or concrete alternatives. This can help reduce urban warming.
Stone Drain Covers vs. Metal and Other Materials
Let's explore how stone drain covers compare against more traditional materials.
Metal
Metals such as cast iron or steel are commonly used materials for drain covers. You can source stone composite drain covers that exceed the load-bearing capacity of metal grates. Another key advantage is how well stone drain covers resist corrosion, unlike metal covers. During hot weather, metal drains can absorb heat, contributing to urban warming, whereas stone reflects it. There is also greater design flexibility with custom stone composite drain covers.
Plastic
Plastic drain covers, like high-density polyethylene (HDPE), may have a lower up-front cost, but stone drain covers have a far superior load-bearing capacity. Plastic is also susceptible to bleaching and UV damage, while stone alternatives are UV-resistant. Aesthetically, the look and feel of plastic drain covers make it difficult to integrate them into more high-end designs.
Concrete
Compared to precast concrete drain covers, stone grates are much lighter and offer a more refined finish. With engineered stone composites, you can also find the exact color and texture you need for your project. Some concrete covers may also be susceptible to cracking in freeze-thaw conditions. Stone covers can better resist these conditions, thanks to the combination of natural aggregates and polymers.
Applications for Stone Drain Covers
Stone composite gratings are versatile and suitable for a range of applications, such as:
- Pools: Stone pool grates excel in both their appearance and their ability to provide safe drainage around the poolside. The anti-slip qualities of the stone's textured surface help provide safe footing even in wet conditions. Aesthetically, stone pool grates can complement the design of a residential pool or a hotel resort.
- Patios: With low thermal conductivity, stone drain covers can ensure comfortable barefoot walking across surfaces like patios.
- Streetscapes: When you need a grate with the load capacity to support cars, you can use a stone trench grate for the right weight class, like a D400 for heavy traffic. This suits streetscapes and driveways, easily blending in with their surroundings.
- Trees: Stone tree grates can reduce slips by containing roots. Unlike other alternatives, the custom patterning on the grates allows for good drainage. The stone material also helps reflect heat away from the tree roots.
- Benches: The form and function of stone grates are also great for street benches. You can customize the grate's size, shape and pattern with the added function of a seat that allows rainfall to drain through. Their strength and durability make these benches ideal for gathering spaces, such as on university campuses.
Choosing Stone Drain Covers for Your Project
When planning your specs for a project, consider a few key factors when choosing a stone drain cover:
- Load capacity: A drain cover in a busy urban street will need to support the weight of heavy vehicles. The right load capacity allows your stone drain cover to perform as intended, even with constant use. You can work with manufacturers to design stone drain covers with the correct load capacity for your application.
- Grate design: Choose whether you want your stone drain cover to stand out or fit in with your aesthetic design. With so many colors, textures and patterns to choose from, you can select the perfect drain cover for your project.
- ADA compliance: Ensure your stone drain cover specs meet standards for slip safety. Reputable products pass pendulum and ramp tests, which check their slip-resistance rating according to industry standards.
- Manufacturer: Not all stone composite drain covers are the same quality. Partner with a reliable manufacturer to verify that the finished product meets your specifications. This ensures you have a durable drain cover that fits your design and performs as intended.
- Sustainability: Premium stone drain cover products use as much as 95% natural aggregates in their design. This reduces the amount of materials like steel, which has a higher carbon footprint. You can also find products that use recycled materials, which saves waste and reduces the demand on virgin materials.
Build Better Places With Jonite Stone Drain Covers
Stone drain covers can be a great addition to any architectural or landscape design. When you need effective drainage solutions that complement or enhance your visual design, stone grates can fit your brief.
At Jonite, we offer a wide range of standard and custom-designed stone drain covers, allowing you to find the best option for your budget and needs. After creating the first stone composite drain cover in 1994, we have developed our products to refine their aesthetics, durability and performance. Contact us to find the best drain cover product for your next project.
