Circle (round)

One of the most common shapes, that is mainly used when the cover is located on the road and not on the sidewalk. For the simple reason that it is difficult to fit the curbstones into the shape of the lid (when the sidewalk is covered with tiles).
In many cases where you want to lay a rounded lid in a cobblestone pavement, you may sometimes use a frame that surrounds the circle, as will be described below.

Square

One of the most common shapes, that is mainly used when the cover is located on the sidewalk since it is easy to adjust the sidewalk's tiles to the square shape.
In many cases a round or elliptical cover is surrounded by a square frame as will be described later.

Square with round corners

Subtype of square covers where the corners are rounded. In this type of cover the gap between the corners and the sidewalk's tiles need to be filled.

Ellipse (oval)

Less common shape due to its less symmetric shape compared to square or circle. In many cases this covers comes with an handle used to lift the lid.
In many cases where an oval cover is put on a sidewalk a rectangle frame is added as will be described later.

Hexagonal

A rather rare shape that is useful if several hexagonal covers are placed next to each other, but in the meantime we have found these covers only in a single way. .

Rectangle

A common shape usually when there is a need for a wide opening.

Rectangle obtained from multiple lids

In many cases the rectangular lid consists of a number of square or rectangular covers.

Circle or Ellipse enclosed in a square frame

As noted, round or oval covers are difficult to place on tiled sidewalks because of the problem of matching the square tiles to the round shape. In order to overcome this problem those covers are inserted inside a square frame.
In the following 2 images there is an example of the same circular lid that appears on its own and with a square frame.

Metal

Metal caps are perhaps the most common covers. There are many reason for the popularity of metal: its durability, the easiness of making complicated shapes (circle, oval). Naturally we (the site) prefer this kind of material since you can make spectacular and attractive patterns.

Concrete

Concrete coverings are simpler and are usually not on the roads but in places designated only for pedestrians, especially in gardens, but also on sidewalks. .

Concrete with metal frame

Sometimes concrete caps will appear with a metal frame (this is true for both round and square caps). This frame, which is intended mainly for placing the lid in places where a metal lid is usually used, is also used to write additional information such as the manufacturer's name, standard, designation and more.

"Chameleon"

A type of lid that usually appears as a concrete lid with a metal frame is a lid that tries to blend in with its environment. Click for all covers of this form.

Concrete and metal frame

Sometimes an element of metal is placed in the center or elsewhere in the concrete cover, so you can create a standard master cover and then assign it to a given category by adding a metal label.

Plastic

Plastic covers are used in places when covers should not withstand a heavy load, especially parks and private places, but never on roads or sidewalks.

Lifting holes

Using holes in the lid, you can lift the lid by using a lifting rod that serves as a lever. In the image below, you can see in detail one of the holes in the lid.

A single hole

In small caps it is customary to place one single hole in the center of the lid.

Lifting handle

This form of lifting is mainly found in elliptical caps, where a handle is placed in the center of the lid.

Folding cover

Many quadratic or rectangular squares are sometimes composed of two triangles, with the opening form being a single triangle lift (either by lifting holes or by special instruments).

EN124

Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrain areas
The European standard for covers used in places where pedestrians and urban transport.
Click to view the Standard.

IS 489