Anyone planning to use road plates – whether on construction sites, at events or on unpaved terrain – quickly faces the question: Which road plate is the right one for my application? With such a wide range of ground conditions, loads and use cases, choosing the right solution is not always straightforward. In this guide, we show you in 4 simple steps how to find the optimal road plate for your requirements.
The first and most important question is: What type of ground will the plates be installed on?
The softer or more uneven the ground, the larger and thicker the road plate should be to prevent sinking. On soft ground, we generally recommend using our pressed road plates, as they offer greater dimensional stability and break resistance. On firm, load-bearing surfaces, extruded ground protection mats may be sufficient depending on the load, as they are more flexible and lighter – as explained in more detail here.
Not every plate is suitable for every load. The decisive factor is primarily the point load, meaning the force acting on a relatively small area. This is generated by wheels, tracks or support feet and depends mainly on the machine weight and the size of the contact area.
In addition, the following factors play an important role:
Note: For high point loads in particular – for example from support feet, rubber tracks or narrow tyres – we recommend pressed plastic road plates, as they distribute the weight more effectively and help minimise damage to the ground.
The surface structure of a road plate is an often underestimated criterion, yet it plays a central role in safety and stability, especially on slopes, in wet conditions or on uneven terrain.
Weather conditions also have a significant influence: in summer, heated surfaces and softer ground can reduce grip, while in winter, moisture, snow or frozen surfaces can significantly increase the risk of slipping. The right surface structure helps ensure secure traction in both cases – for people and machinery.
Depending on the application, LuxTek offers different surface structures, each with its own specific advantages:
You can find an overview of all available surface structures here:
Choosing the right plate dimensions affects not only stability but also the cost-effectiveness of your solution. Smaller formats are particularly easy to install by hand and are ideal for temporary access routes or confined areas.
For larger construction sites or heavy loads, larger formats are often the better choice. They reduce the number of joints and increase overall surface stability. LuxTek offers a wide range of standard sizes, from compact 0.8 × 1.2 m formats to large-area 3 × 2.4 m plates. Custom sizes are also available on request.
The choice between plastic, steel and timber has a major impact on the handling, load capacity and service life of your road plates. Today, plastic is the preferred choice for many applications – not least because of its low weight, high load capacity and long service life.
If you would like to compare the materials in more detail, you can find a comprehensive overview here covering the key properties of all three materials.
Choosing the right road plate depends on numerous factors – from ground conditions and load requirements to surface structure and the appropriate dimensions. Since every application has different requirements, it is worth taking a closer look at the specific conditions. Our experienced sales team will be happy to help you find the optimal solution for your application – individually tailored, reliable and practical.
