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Reasons You Should Consider FRP Decking Materials Over Steel

7 June 2016

Amaury Picard

The term FRP stands for Fibre Reinforced Plastic. This material has steadily been gaining popularity in construction applications due to a variety of benefits that it offers. As such, more and more people are moving away from using steel for their projects and opting for FRP. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider FRP decking materials over steel.

FRP decking materials are resistant to corrosion

One of the biggest selling points of FRP decking materials is that they are Non-corrosive. For steel to stay in pristine condition, you would have to put it through additional process such as powder coating it or galvanizing it. FRP decking, on the other hand, will not be prone to water damage. This makes it ideal for outdoor applications, as it will not be affected by wet weather conditions. It should also be noted that you can get some FRP materials that have the ability to withstand exposure to an array of caustic materials if you so choose.

FRP decking materials are lightweight

Generally, steel gets its inherent strength due to how heavy it is. This is why it is typically considered for construction projects that will require sturdy materials. However, the heaviness of steel also makes it difficult to handle. As such, the labour costs incurred when using steel tend to be higher than with other types of materials. If you would like a lightweight material that is still structurally sound, then you should consider FRP decking materials. The ratio of glass and resins used to manufacture the FRP enable it to bear heavy loads while still keeping the material lightweight and easy to handle.

FRP decking materials are virtually maintenance free

When you opt for FRP decking materials, you save yourself the trouble of having to constantly try to keep this material in pristine condition. Generally, all fibre reinforced plastic requires is an occasional wipe down to eliminate any grime that has started accumulating on it. During manufacture, the FRP undergoes ultraviolet stabilization. This process eliminates the need for any lacquering or painting of the FRP as its appearance will not be affected by continuous exposure to the sun. This is unlike steel, which could eventually suffer from ultraviolet degradation.

FRP decking materials are resistant to high impact

Another benefit of using FRP decking materials is that it is impact resistant. Your deck is likely to be exposed to high traffic, which increases the risk of high impact in the form of items falling onto your decking. When FRP is exposed to high impact, its surface goes back to normal after the impact. This is unlike steel that would suffer from permanent deformation if the impact is high enough.

For more information about FRP decking, contact a local professional.

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