My deck is a few feet above the tops of 2 heat pumps. The manufacturer recommends not covering them, and I wouldn't want all that exhaust underneath the deck anyway. Also, I had to satisfy the "permit store".

Anyway, I ordered these grates from the local distributor for
Ohio Gratings. I wanted zero maintenance, so I got aluminum. Fairly expensive. Probably other, cheaper ways to do it. To ease you into the sticker shock, I think I paid $350 for both, tax and delivery. Steel would certainly be cheaper, but maintenance issues.

{{gwi:304962}}

I've liked www.mcnichols.com for the grating I've needed, but unless you have a really cool, modern home I can't imagine it not looking like a waste treatment plant catwalk. Aluminum would really be your only viable option, because I don't see powder-coated steel standing up to the foot traffic, and one scratch and it could rot from the inside out.

What about a combination of standard wood (or composite) decking and spans of lexan (or similar) panels to allow light through? Do a frosted glass look, and you could light it from below at night for a pretty cool effect.

Either way, have fun at the permit office. If yours is like mine, they frown on innovation.

I'm so curious if you did this project? 🙂

I'm curious too! We're building an exterior walkway/deck in metal. Thanks for the link to ohio gratings, @tom_nwnj