W-Beam Guardrail Supplier & Manufacturer
What Is a W-Beam Guardrail?
A W-beam guardrail is a roadside safety barrier made of corrugated steel rails with a "W" shaped, two-wave profile. The rails are bolted to steel posts through spacers. When a vehicle hits it, the rail deforms and redirects the vehicle back toward the road. It is the most widely used type of highway guardrail.
As a W-beam guardrail supplier, SinoGuardrail rolls, punches and hot-dip galvanizes these rails in Shandong, China, and ships them to highway, airport and industrial projects worldwide.
W-Beam Guardrail Products Compared
| Product | Best for |
|---|---|
| Custom W-beam guardrail | Standard rails made to your drawing, length and hole pattern |
| Galvanized steel guardrail | Projects that specify hot-dip galvanizing and coating weight |
| Q235B / Q345B steel beam guardrail | Buyers who need a specific steel grade or strength |
| AASHTO M180 W-beam | Tenders that reference AASHTO M180 Class A / Class B |
| Curved guardrail beams | Tight curves, intersections and bridge ends |
| W-beam fishtail end | Finishing the rail end on low-speed sections |
Standard W-Beam Guardrail Dimensions
Typical values are listed below. Final dimensions always follow the approved project drawing.
- AASHTO M180: rail width about 311 mm, depth about 83 mm, thickness 2.67 mm (Class A) or 3.43 mm (Class B), effective length 3810 mm.
- Common EN / Asian profile: 310 mm x 85 mm, thickness 3 mm or 4 mm, total length 4320 mm (4000 mm effective).
- Coating: hot-dip galvanized; coating weight as specified, for example AASHTO M180 Type I or Type II.
For full tables and drawings, see our W-beam guardrail dimensions guide.
Matching Posts and Hardware
A W-beam guardrail system also needs highway guardrail posts, spacers, splice bolts and end terminals. We supply them together so all hole positions match. See guardrail accessories and the end terminal anchor system. Buying the rail, posts, spacers and terminals from one W-beam guardrail supplier removes the risk of mismatched hole positions on site.
Working with a W-beam Guardrail Supplier
We quote from your drawing, not from a stock list. A W-beam guardrail supplier should return a line-by-line offer: rail, posts, spacers, splice bolts, terminals, transitions, coating, inspection records and export packing. Ask every W-beam guardrail supplier on your shortlist to price the same BOQ, so the offers can be compared on equal terms.
W-Beam Guardrail FAQ
What is the difference between W-beam and Thrie-beam guardrail?
W-beam has two waves; Thrie-beam has three and is taller and stiffer. Thrie-beam is often used at bridge approaches and high-risk locations. Read W-beam vs Thrie-beam guardrail.
Is "W beam guide rail" the same product?
Yes. "Guide rail" is another name for guardrail used in some regions. The product and the standards are the same.
Can you make W-beam rails to my local standard?
Yes. Send the drawing and the standard. We produce the length, thickness, hole pattern and coating that the project requires.
Specifications and Project Requirements for W-Beam Guardrail
Confirm the beam profile, drawing number, overall length, effective length, thickness, tolerance, hole pattern, steel grade, post section, post spacing and matching components.
Request a Quote for W-Beam Guardrail
Send your project country, governing standard, approved drawings, BOQ, quantities, coating requirements and destination port for a project-specific quotation. Not sure how to compare offers? Read how to verify a W-beam guardrail supplier first.
