Quick answer: Checker plate vs flat plate comes down to look, colour and care. Both are aluminium. A checker plate toolbox has a raised pattern on the surface. A flat plate toolbox is smooth. In our range, checker plate comes mostly in raw aluminium, with a few black models. Flat plate comes in raw, black and white. The locks, seals and sizes are often the same.
Here is what each one is, how thickness is measured, and which colours you can get.
What is checker plate?
Checker plate is aluminium sheet with a raised tread pattern pressed into it. You may also see it called checkerplate, chequer plate or diamond plate. It is a common look on ute, truck and trailer toolboxes.
Our checker plate toolboxes cover many styles. There are side opening, top opening, under tray, gullwing and canopy models.
What is flat plate?
Flat plate is smooth aluminium sheet with no pattern. It can be left raw, or powder coated in a colour. See the flat plate series for flat plate boxes. For colour, see our black ute tool boxes and white ute tool boxes.
How thick is it?
Our FAQs page says our toolboxes and canopies are made from 1060 grade aluminium. Thickness is 2–2.5mm, depending on the model. Each product page lists its own thickness, so always check the "Thickness" line.
Measuring checker plate the right way
Checker plate should be measured at the thinnest part of the sheet. It should not be measured across the raised pattern. Measuring the pattern makes the sheet look thicker than it is.
That is why many of our checker plate listings show two figures. A common one is "3mm including checker, 2.5mm excluding checker". The 2.5mm figure is the sheet without the pattern.
When you compare a checker plate toolbox from different sellers, ask which figure they quote. If one of our listings shows only one figure, ask us and we will confirm it.
Flat plate thickness
Flat plate has no pattern, so there is only one figure. Most of our flat plate toolboxes list 2.5mm.
Which colours come in which plate?
- Raw aluminium: checker plate and flat plate.
- Black powder coat: mostly flat plate. A small number of checker plate models also come in black. These include some fridge slide and BBQ camper boxes and a gullwing canopy.
- White powder coat: flat plate only.
So if you want white, choose flat plate. If you want the checker look, raw gives you the widest choice.
Same toolbox, different finish
Many of our designs come in more than one finish. Take the 1,700 x 600 x 820mm full side opening box:
- Checker plate, raw: 3mm including checker, 2.5mm excluding checker.
- Flat plate, black powder coat: 2.5mm flat plate.
- Flat plate, white powder coat: 2.5mm flat plate.
All three list a whale tail lock with barrel and key, plus the option to padlock. All three have a steel pinch rubber dust and water seal and two heavy duty stainless steel rod gas struts. They also share a stainless steel piano hinge and fully welded seams. The door opening is the same on all three: 1,530mm long and 710mm high.
So on this box, the plate changes the look and the colour. The features stay the same.
Pros and cons in plain words
Checker plate
- Pro: the raised pattern can make light scuffs harder to see.
- Pro: raw checker plate has no powder coat to chip.
- Pro: a wide choice of styles in our range.
- Con: fewer colours. It is mostly raw, with a few black models and no white.
- Con: dust and dirt can sit in the pattern, so it takes a bit longer to wipe clean.
Flat plate
- Pro: a smooth, clean look.
- Pro: three colours to pick from: raw, black and white.
- Pro: easy to wipe down. A flat face also suits signs and stickers.
- Con: scratches can show more on a smooth face.
- Con: a deep scratch in powder coat shows the bare aluminium underneath.
Which one suits you?
- A work ute that gets knocked about: raw checker plate is a practical pick.
- You want it to match a black or white ute: choose powder coated flat plate.
- You want your business name on the box: flat plate gives a smooth face for signs.
- You just like the classic look: go with checker plate.
- You want the widest choice of colours: flat plate comes in raw, black and white.
Whichever you choose, it is still aluminium. For a wider look at materials, read steel, aluminium or plastic for a ute toolbox.
Questions people ask
Is checker plate stronger than flat plate?
Compare the sheet thickness, not the pattern. Many of our checker plate boxes are 2.5mm excluding the checker, and most of our flat plate boxes are 2.5mm. Check the "Thickness" line on each product page.
Is chequer plate the same as checker plate?
Yes. Checker plate, checkerplate, chequer plate and diamond plate all mean aluminium sheet with a raised tread pattern.
Can I get a white checker plate toolbox?
Not in our range. White is powder coated flat plate only. Checker plate comes in raw, and a few models come in black.
Which is easier to keep clean?
Flat plate is easier to wipe down. Dust and dirt can sit in the checker plate pattern.
Aluminium toolbox checklist
- Pick the look you want: patterned or smooth.
- Pick a colour, and check that your plate type comes in it.
- Read the "Thickness" line on the product page.
- For checker plate, compare using the "excluding checker" figure.
- Compare the lock, seal, gas struts and door opening.
- Measure your tray before you order, and leave 20–30mm of clearance.
- Buying more than one? Ask for the locks to be keyed alike in the delivery instructions at checkout.
Browse all our aluminium toolboxes to compare checker plate and flat plate side by side. Still choosing a style? Our ute tool box buying guide walks through every step.
Delivery, pickup and our showroom
Still deciding? Seeing the two finishes side by side can help.
We deliver Australia-wide from our Prestons warehouse in NSW. About 98% of products are dispatched within one business day. Allow 1–5 business days for delivery, and up to 10 for some places. Items go by courier or Australia Post, with a tracking number.
Prefer to see it first? Visit our showroom inside the warehouse at Unit 13, 340 Hoxton Park Road, Prestons NSW 2170. You can view and buy on the spot. We are open Monday to Friday 9am–5.30pm and Saturday 9am–1pm. Pickup from Prestons is also available. Bookings are essential.