The Best Trench Drains on the market for 2020.
So you need a trench drain system but not sure where to start? We've reviewed all the major professional install and DIY trench drain options to help you determine which is the best.
Whether it’s for residential or commercial purposes, selecting the best trench drain system can be a daunting task. The availability of numerous brands in the market can make it challenging to choose the best trench drain system for your residential or commercial application. To help you choose the best trench drain for your job we go over the top trench drain systems offered.
There are a lot of systems out there, so to make it easy for you, our team has done the research across all of the top trench drain system brands and has compared everything from their features, pricing, ease of use, durability, brand reputation and much more to determine which systems represent the best value.
The top manufacturers today are Zurn, NDS, ACO, Polycast and Swftidrain. Of these five, Zurn NDS and Swiftdrain make the top 3 list for the most functional, cost effective general use/ all purpose trench drains. The criteria we looked at are:
- Cost to Value
- Longevity
- Ease of Installation
- Quality
- Functionality
Trench drains come in all standards, sizes and materials so looking and comparing at costs can be confusing. Comparing a stainless steel dura slope trench drain to something cheap at Home Depot or Lowes doesn’t make for a proper comparison.
Cost to Value provided
Longevity - One of the most important aspects when installing and choosing a new trench drain is longevity. You don’t want to merely install the trench drain and have to re address drainage issues, warped grates or shifty channels in a 3 years. Proper installation is vital in the successful installation of any drainage system, yet it always starts with the product. Some drains have added features and functionalities which increase their success rate over time.
Ease of installation is critical when choosing the right drain. Sure, you can save some money on an inferior product in the beginning, yet if it takes more time, labor and building materials to successfully install than the trade off doesn’t make sense. Drains come with different features which make installation cheaper and easier. Some trench drains have anchors for rebar which prevent the drains from floating during installation.
Quality products last over time. Cheaper polymers just don’t last as long as their HDPE, cast iron and concrete counterparts. Additionally, the water drained may enter our waterways so we want to choose materials that don’t leach into the drainage systems.
These criteria points are crucial when selecting the right trench drain. Proper drainage can be a costly undertaking, nevertheless what you spend now, you will save tenfold over time. Ideally, trench drains are something you want to install once and forget about. Trench drain materials such as ductile iron, high density polyethylene and stainless steel last longer than cheaper materials. What you spend now on higher grade materials you will save in the long run with replacement costs.