Grate Expectations: ACO unveils customer-led bespoke grating design solution

Drainage and water management systems can now be seamlessly integrated into a building’s aesthetic, thanks to a new customer-led bespoke grating design solution from leading manufacturer of water management systems, ACO.

ACO Freestyle now gives architects and commercial property owners the freedom to create fully-bespoke drainage grating designs that integrate into the overall design of the building envelope and surrounding space. From the inclusion of company logos or specific patterns, to the design of sleek gratings that blend into both a building or setting – be it historic or modern – the new service gives a level of freedom as yet unseen by the drainage industry.

With customer design at the heart of the offering, ACO Freestyle begins with the owner or architect submitting a design to ACO, which then creates a design model from this template. Templates are available to download from the ACO website to help in this process and once approved, the design is tooled, before the gratings are manufactured from ductile iron and delivered directly to site. 

As well as having the opportunity to design unique gratings, potential customers also have access to a number of pre-moulded options, to add a distinctive twist to any landscaped area. Crucially, all grating designs are compatible with ACO’s MultiDrain and Multiline Sealin channels, which are built to D 400 load classification and incorporate ACO’s Drainlock boltless locking system for further security.

Will Allen, Marketing Manager for Civils + Infrastructure at ACO, comments: “In 21st century architecture, with the wealth of R&D and technical capability available, there is very little that is beyond the realms of possibility when it comes to designing buildings. While much of the focus has been on the building aesthetic, a similar level of creativity and precision can now be extended to the surrounding surface water management system.

“In the past, many architectural projects had to make do with a limited supply of grating designs which, while being effective at managing surface water, added little to the building’s overall impression. Now, through ACO Freestyle, Architects and building owners can add their own stamp on their channel drainage systems, and use it as a further opportunity to showcase their building project.”

Will Allen concludes: “Ultimately, drainage gratings are one of the first things you’ll encounter as you walk up to a building. With ACO Freestyle, architects and owners alike now have the chance to make a lasting first impression and reinforce their identity from the outset.”