Recessed Manhole Covers & Frames

Recessed manhole covers are manhole covers with a built-in tray that allows surface materials and substrates, such as paving, tiles, epoxy resin, grass and gravel, to be laid inside. This creates a discreet finish, allowing the cover to blend in with its surroundings. It still provides easy access to underground services yet creates an aesthetically pleasing result. 

Recessed manhole covers are chosen because they are the ideal solution for settings that need visual continuity. They can be filled with matching surface materials, making them discreet and far less noticeable than traditional covers. They also offer easy access for maintenance while still retaining strength and meeting UK load-bearing standards.

Recessed manhole covers are widely used in driveways, footpaths, patios, public walkways and internal floors. Paved or tiled surfaces will commonly feature a recessed manhole cover, and they help maintain a clean, uninterrupted visual without compromising access to drainage systems or underground utilities.

Recessed manhole covers are made from robust, durable materials including galvanised steel, stainless steel or aluminium. The covers can also feature frames made from polypropylene for easy handling and installation. The materials are all tested and compliant with UK regulations, made to support various load classes while resisting corrosion and wear.

Drainfast supplies recessed manhole covers available in a range of load-bearing classes, able to support different levels of weights, from pedestrian use to heavy-goods vehicles of up to 10T. It’s essential to choose the right cover based on the expected traffic and installation area. Our team can advise on the most suitable and compatible recessed manhole cover for your location’s load-bearing requirements. 

The tray of a recessed manhole cover can be filled with a wide range of surface materials to match the surrounding area. Block paving, concrete, resin-bound gravel, tiles or even vinyl flooring are all common materials, but the chosen material must be compatible with the cover’s depth and weight limits.

This is the main benefit of using a recessed manhole cover rather than a traditional type, as they are specifically designed to blend in with the surroundings. By filling the cover tray with the same material as the surrounding surface, the cover becomes nearly invisible. 

Internal recessed manhole covers are lightweight, sealed to prevent odours and designed for indoor use with infills like tiles or vinyl. External recessed covers are more robust, weather-resistant and built to handle heavier loads, often filled with paving or concrete. The main differences between internal and external recessed manhole covers lie in the load rating, sealing properties and material compatibility.

The size of a recessed manhole cover depends on the opening it needs to fill and the surrounding surface area. You should measure the clear opening and consider the depth required for the infill material. Drainfast can guarantee a perfectly sized recessed manhole cover based on your measurements, thanks to our material take-off service. Find out more about how to choose a manhole cover.