Material Spotlight: FRP Mini-Mesh

Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) Mini-Mesh is a completely underused product for the DIY community. The product is a grey fiberglass mesh with small (3/4″ x 3/4″) openings and comes in standard sheet sizes of 4′ x 12′ and 4′ x 10′. The Mini-Mesh replaces metal and wood in flooring applications and offers significant advantages over both materials. FRP Mini-Mesh will not rust, will not corrode, will not suffer termite attack, will not absorb water, and can withstand UV exposure from the sun. It is virtually maintenance free requiring only cleaning as you deem necessary. The small size of the openings in the grating is designed to prevent objects such as keys from falling through below.

This makes the product excel as a deck or a dock. FRP Mini-Mesh is lightweight and easy to install – the easiest way is to build a frame out of metal angle and anchor the FRP sheet in. Specialized hardware called “M-clips” are available for a few dollars apiece to anchor the Mini-Mesh into the frame but if the frame is measured properly this anchorage is often not needed. The Mini-Mesh will supply a long-lasting, weather resistant, near-zero maintenance deck or dock.

The design parameter you most need to be concerned with is span. FRP is very strong; however, it is also more flexible than metal or wood. This means that as the span gets wider the FRP will store energy when you walk on it (flex down) and then push back up. On large spans, this effect can destabilize the individual leading potentially to a fall. Spans between 1.5′-3′ are high recommended and load tables can be supplied.

The only potential drawback to the product is the cost involved compared to metal or wood. The FRP grating will be significantly more expensive than metal or wood alternatives (several hundred dollars per sheet before freight costs) so not everyone will have the budget. However, you “get what you pay for” and the advantages of FRP over competing materials is well worth the price premium. For questions or pricing on FRP Mini-Mesh contact us today.

FRP For The “DIY” Community

Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) has proven itself as an excellent material for use in industrial applications but there are many applications that enterprising and “handy” members of the do-it-yourself community should consider. FRP is electrically non-conductive, will resist weathering, and will not rot or rust.

1.) Docks/Walkways/Ramps – FRP molded sheet

FRP makes an outstanding material for weather resistant, and rust/rot proof, ramping and docks. With the proper design, the sheet can safely sit in a trough without requiring mechanical bolting or affixation. FRP sheet comes standard with a “meniscus” anti-slip surface but panels with a grit surface are widely stocked. The panels will be more expensive than comparable wood or metal (about $300-$400 U.S. dollars per 4′ x 10′ sheet, before freight) but for the do-it-yourselfer looking to make a long-lasting, premium design, FRP is an outstanding selection. There are even “mini-mesh” options available to help prevent small items such as keys from falling through. For me information on FRP molded sheet, click here.

2.) Wall protection – FRP wall panel

FRP wall panels are everywhere but do a thankless job and you may rarely notice them. When you’re in a convenience store or food processing area, have you ever noticed an embossed, pebble-like white or grey wall covering? This is FRP wall panel. It is chosen because it is very low maintenance – it lasts for a long time and is easy to clean. It’s also readily available in white 4′ x 10′ or 4′ x 8′ sheets, all being .090″ in thickness which is the industry standard. It is commonly affixed via a special adhesive that can be purchased alongside the sheet and it would be ideal for workshops, mud rooms, bathrooms, or any area where walls need to be protected from dirt, grime, moisture, etc. For more information on FRP wall panels contact us here.

 

Plastic Brainstorming Session

Short on ideas for using engineering plastics in your home projects?

Just a few ideas… 

UHMW-PE Synthetic Ice

  

Polycarbonate Roof

 

UHMW Polo Mallet

FRP “No-Maintenance” Ramp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Inspired to work on an application yourself? Questions?

Contact us:

E-MAIL: sales@redwoodplastics.com
CDN: 1 800 667 0999
USA: 1 866 733 2684

No-Rot Dock

Enjoying the waterfront is a popular summer tradition. Time spent boating and enjoying the lake is a part of many pleasant summer memories. The dock, that “staging point”, for this tradition is an important structure and safety concerns should not be overlooked. Many private docks are made of traditional materials such as wood or metal that eventually rot or corrode. This not only means an expensive replacement of the dock but that it could be putting people at risk.

Plastics do not rot, rust or corrode and there are several solutions available. FRP or “Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic” outperforms traditional materials and can be completely immersed in water for its lifespan. FRP have 80% the strength of steel and is an ideal solution for marine applications. Many private and public docks have integrated FRP materials, such as mini-mesh or pultruded grating, and the results prove FRP’s resiliency.

Fiberglass reinforced plastic lumber is a similar material that is well suited to a marine application. The fiberglass reinforcement of the lumber results in a high degree of strength, yet the material looks similar to wood and adds a traditional beauty. Redco™ plastic lumber is available in a variety of colors and multiple board profiles.

 

 

For more information on how plastic can assist in your application:

E-MAIL: sales@redwoodplastics.com
CDN: 1 800 667 0999
USA: 1 866 733 2684

FRP Grating – A Brainstorming Session

Recently we were approached by a superintendent for an apartment complex. The metal drainage grates they had been using were rusting and noisy. He took a chance and asked us if we had a material that could help: a strong, sturdy, plastic solution for grating that could bear the weight of vehicles.

He was surprised to learn that we could! Are you as well?

The material in question is Redco™ DURAGRID®. A new addition to our Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) line. DURAGRID® is an advanced cousin of the popular FRP molded grating. Redco™ DURAGRID®; however, is increasingly strengthened via a 3-piece cross-rod system utilizing a proprietary bonding method.

But that’s just the technical side of the product.

The practical side is how the grating is an improvement over metal. Rust? No problem, FRP materials can’t rust. They are weatherproof so the rain or snow will not affect it. Furthermore, the grating can be custom-made to order allowing a customer to pick the desired bar spacing to suit the application. Examples of possible applications include:

Dock grating that will not rust or corrode.

 

 

 

Patio decking that is maintenance free.

 

 

 

Or even Wheelchair ramps where you never need to worry about slippery algae growth or other hazards.

That’s just a start. Now it’s your turn to brainstorm for a project, if you need help or have questions please contact us via the information below. Good luck!

E-MAIL: sales@redwoodplastics.com
CDN: 1 800 667 0999
USA: 1 866 733 2684

Stylish, Easy to Maintain Wheelchair Ramps

We recently had a customer buy 5 sheets of Redco FRP Mini Mesh who sold it to a local contractor for a wheel chair ramp. The contractor liked the material so much because of the ease of use, slip resistance, non rotting attributes and aesthetics that he bought another 8 sheets for another area on the same job.

Great for schools, recreational centers, marinas, churches, or any other public access area.

Redco FRP Mini Mesh ramps are the perfect alternative for plywood that simply doesn’t last due to rotting.

Prismagrate FRP Grating Mini-Mesh flooring system is easy to install, has a high load capacity and is extremely long lasting making it ideal for a variety of outdoor applications with high aesthetic demands.

  

 

Click here for more information on Prismagrate FRP Grating Mini-Mesh or contact us:

E-MAIL: sales@redwoodplastics.com

CDN: 1 800 667 0999
USA: 1 866 733 2684

Replacing your wood docks with FRP Grating

Did you know that you can use Fiberglass Re-inforced Plastics for your boat docks?

Advantages: Lasts longer, looks better much longer wood starts looking bad after a few years. Concrete eventually spalls and cracks.Easier to reroute cables and plumbing, wood you have to tear apart the whole dock to do this. Concrete you cannot change if there isn’t a channel moulded into it. Minimesh you just pop a couple screws and you have access to areas you need to work on. More environmentally friendly, More areas are starting to require a see thru requirement to docks . This enables the sunlight to reach vegetation under the docks. Much harder to do with wood and concrete. Minimesh has ½” x ½” square hole open grid pattern light easily goes through to vegetation. Far more durable in Hurricane areas. Concrete cracks and breaks, Wood Breaks and splinters in both cases they have to be replaced. Minimesh takes the constant twisting of the docks in cases where the material has been blown off the panels can be reattached.