What is the FRP?

Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)

Fiberglass reinforced plastic or fiber reinforced plastic more commonly abbreviated and known as FRP is a composite material comprised of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). Traditionally, FRP has been utilized within the civil, aerospace, and automotive industries for applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios and rigidity. This lightweight and durable material is unlike traditional building materials in that it provides the perfect balance between cost-effectiveness, durability, and customization. More recently FRP has crossed over into the construction industry in the form of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) ceiling and wall panels.

• The benefits of FRP ceiling and wall panel use within the construction industry include:
  • Strength and durability – resists high impacts and scratches
• Lightweight – panels can easily be carried by one person and installed within minutes using fasteners or adhesives.
• Low maintenance and easy to clean – typically installed in high traffic and dirty environments, including classrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hospital rooms, and garages.
• Cost-effective – shipping and labor costs are greatly reduced
• Range of unique surface types, colors and textures – provides unique and customizable solutions for any project
• Water and mold resistant – won’t weaken over time and non-porous surface resists formation of mold and mildew

Typical FRP construction and renovation applications include: commercial kitchens, offices, classrooms, healthcare facilities and hospital rooms, garages, cooling towers, hallways and a range of other commercial and industrial type spaces.

Within the construction industry there are two common types of FRP, standard and designer. Standard FRP provides both smooth and textured surfaces for use in high wear spaces. These surfaces are durable, low-maintenance, cost-effective and very easy to clean. Additionally, standard FRP surfaces are water, mold and mildew resistant. Designer FRP provides unlimited design capacity to compliment standard FRP functionality. Designer FRP includes a range of textures such as dimpled, ribbed, smooth, non-slip, and simulated wood or concrete. Unique FRP finishes include: gelcoats, translucence, pigmented urethane elastomers, single or multicolored urethane paints, polyester thermoset resins, and in-part prints.