Fiber reinforced plastic FRP or wood, which one is better ?

What is FRP?

FRP is the abbreviation of fiber reinforced plastic, it is a kind of magical material, which is composed of glass fiber reinforced and external protective coating in an unsaturated polyester resin matrix. FRP material is superior to many traditional materials, such as steel, aluminum, wood, etc., in chemical resistance and corrosion resistance. Its maintenance is simple and the product life is long. It is the best material choice for the construction of chemical storage tanks, piping systems, instruments and other types of industrial process equipment.

FRP is an excellent and powerful alternative to traditional wood materials. Unlike wood, our FRP will not deform or rot due to exposure to moisture. They are resistant to corrosion, insects and bacteria. Most importantly, they don’t require environmentally harmful paints or preservatives to provide superior durability. Compared with wood materials, FRP has many advantages, such as strength, safety, durability and cost.

Strength

Wood is inferior to FRP in any aspect, especially strength. FRP is much stronger than wood, and will not shatter due to impact.

Safety

Wood does not conduct electricity, this is the only common feature with FRP. Wood will shatter in extreme heat, humidity or dryness. In applications such as water parks and swimming pool areas, this may pose a danger to guests who often walk barefoot. Wood also needs dangerous chemical coatings to resist fungus, mold and rot.

FRP does not need these hazardous chemicals because it is not easily damaged by these things.

Durability

Because wood can crack, split or rot, it is often regarded as the least ideal solution to the structure, especially in harsher environments. Wood needs a special coating to prevent moisture and must be repainted every few years. Termites are another external problem. Because of termite damage, wooden bridges may only be used for as little as 3 months.

FRP is more durable than wood and more durable in harsh environments.

Cost

Of course, wood is obviously cheaper than FRP, but only at the time of purchase. If you consider installation costs, maintenance, special sealants required, and normal wear and replacement, the cost will be much higher.

The cost of FRP is relatively higher, but in the long run, it saves you a lot of wood and other materials.

Wood can rot, steel is easy to rust, and aluminum is not strong enough. Of course, traditional building materials still have their irreplaceable points. But for harsh corrosive environments, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) is a wise choice.