Unistrut Ceiling Grids vs Tate Ceiling Grids: How to Choose?
October 20, 2026
For decades, Unistrut ceiling grids have been the prevalent choice in construction projects. But over the last 15 years or so, Tate structural ceiling grids have been gaining in popularity. We have been a distributor for Tate raised access floors for years, and have expanded our offerings to include their ceiling grids after seeing them specified in architectural drawings here and there. Over the past decade, however, we have noticed a significant increase in the use of Tate ceiling grids, especially in the data center industry.
But when should you choose Tate over Unistrut for your ceiling grid, and vice versa? Below, we go point by point to highlight the different strengths of these products and illustrate how and why we recommend one option over another for client solutions.
Material Weight
Tate
Lighter-weight aluminum parts for lighter loads
Unistrut
Heavier steel channel that can carry heavier loads
Finishes
Tate
Painted aluminum offers a modern, clean, finished look
Unistrut
Available in multiple finishes and has a more industrial look
Availability
Tate
Typically longer lead times due to specialized products
Unistrut
More readily available as it relies on standard strut pieces
Common Applications
Tate
Commonly found in data center server rooms and general office environments, Tate is preferred for lighter-weight applications or installations requiring a more finished look.
- Cable tray trapezes
- Containment panels
- Light fixtures
- Air vents
- Acoustic ceiling tiles
- Tate ceiling grids have flanges for easy acoustic ceiling tile installation
Unistrut
More often used in mechanical penthouses, universities, technical labs, manufacturing spaces, and spaces that don't require a finished ceiling.
- Situations when a customer needs a quick and flexible solution
- Electrical and mechanical services
- Catwalks
- Cable and fiber trays
- Medical equipment
Installation
Tate
Tate ceiling grids require attachment via threaded rod drops every four or eight feet on center. Since most building steel does not allow for that spacing, we often design and engineer a secondary steel support system that attaches directly to the building steel and accommodates the appropriate spacing for the threaded rod drops.
Unistrut
The main rails of the ceiling grid are connected to the primary structure and fitted with threaded rod drops. Because of Unistrut's modular nature, field customizations are easy and especially well suited to prefabrication. The main rails of the ceiling grid are assembled in our warehouse, and additional top and filler rails are cut to size. All rails are then bundled together, flat-packed, and shipped to the job site.
Partner with an Expert
All of these variables can be difficult to navigate, which is why we recommend partnering with an experienced team to design, engineer, fabricate, and install your ceiling grid. The Unistrut Midwest team can help determine the right material for your project. Just give us a call.
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