Fiberglass reinforced plastic products have taken the world by surprise with their versatile usage and durability in the face of adverse weather conditions and corrosive materials. They’ve steadily gained recognition since they were first used in the aircraft industry in the 1940s and have become a staple for oilfield wellhead and metering stations across Canada and the US, thanks to our designs in the 1960s. However, there are those that still doubt the advantage of fiberglass reinforced plastic applications over traditional materials. We’re here to bust a few misconceptions you may have heard about FRP products!
FRP Isn’t Actually That Strong
We’re here to tell you that yes, it is! Fiberglass has such a good weight to strength ratio that it outdoes its competitors of wood, concrete and metal materials. FRP’s flexibility is thanks to its composite characteristics, allowing it to hold strong without such rigidity. The resin used in FRP can be mixed to meet the needs of the tank or structure, resulting in higher tensile strength with more elasticity than metal could provide.
Is FRP Really Durable?
Yes, and it continues to stay durable over many years! What’s so special about an FRP structure or tank is it’s built to last through harsh Canadian winters and stand up against the most corrosive of materials. The misconception that it won’t remain durable isn’t true and if you’ve been questioning the durability of an FRP building or structure, just know that there are some units still in use 40 some odd years later and going strong! Corrosion greatly reduces the lifetime of products made from wood or metal and can even develop unsafe environments if not maintained properly. This won’t happen with an FRP product as their corrosive resistance allows them to outlive other products that would otherwise need replacing or repairs. In addition, repairing an FRP product is much more accessible than repairing the same product made from wood, concrete or metal materials.
But It’s So Costly!
We won’t lie to you and say that FRP products are initially cheaper because they’re not. FRP products can cost much more upfront than other materials, but because they require so much less maintenance and can be more easily repaired, they will save you a good amount of money in the long run. The installation cost will be low as FRP is lightweight and doesn’t require heavy machinery to install. In fact, because of their stackable design, FRP structures and buildings are designed to allow the nesting of as many as 20 units on a single truck, lowering the cost of shipping. Furthermore, FRP products can be customized on-site with a circular saw, meaning you don’t have to have the exact measurements and you’ll be able to easily alter the design to ensure that the FRP structure or tank meets your requirements. The customization ability of an FRP product is a selling point on its own!
It may take some folks time to recognize the importance and the usefulness of FRP products. Changing the materials you’re used to working with can be a leap, but trust us when we say it will be a leap you won’t regret. Visit our website to find out how we can help your next project!
