Fiberglass Grating | What is it?

Fiberglass Grating is the contemporary and modern alternative to metal grating, it is not only architecturally more attractive; but is also highly resistant to corrosive environments. Fiberglass reinforced plastic grating, commonly referred to as FRP grating is a composite material, which is manufactured by the combination of a matrix of resin and fiberglass. Fiberglass grating is also fire retardant in nature, along with being non-conductive and light weight, making it a popular grating option for industrial structures and various other usages such as; fire escapes, raised floors, platforms, drain covers, protective shields, stair treads, walkways, docks and trench covers. Commonly used for floor grating, FRP is simpler to install than metal grating, due to its light weight. It does not require heavy machinery for the installation.

Available in both square and grid patterns, fiberglass grating is widely used due to its low maintenance cost combined with unmatched resilience. Unlike metal gratings, which in certain environments can require extended product life cycle; fiberglass grating is corrosion and rust free, making it more cost effective. Chemical attacks are also not an issue with fiberglass gratings, ensuring its durability. Ideal for the corrosive environment, FRP gives it the complete value for the money.

There are primarily two types of fiberglass grating:

1. Molded
2. Pultruded

As the name suggests, molded grating is created on the mold; whereas pultruded grating is created by combining the pultruded profiles in the shape of grating. Molded fiberglass grating is a combination of thermosetting resin with fiberglass roving to create a strong one piece panel.

Molded fiberglass grating is available in various thicknesses, mesh patterns and dimensional sizes. Square mesh patterns enable the cutting of the panels efficiently, to accommodate a variety of floor layouts, while reducing the waste to minimal. Molded fiberglass mesh in rectangular shape is mostly used for trench covers in many industrial designs and is also a preferred grating option for walkways. The optional grit-top walking surfaces of fiberglass grating provide skid-resistance for the safety of the workers as well. The design of fiberglass grating is to ensure its reliability, in the most challenging conditions.

The selection of the resin option also depends upon the purpose of use. For the general purposes Orthophthalic Polyester is more suitable. Some other resin options are Vinyl Ester, Isophthalic Polyester (or ISO), Fire Retardant and USDA certified. All resin options are UV Resistant and are designed for different purposes and conditions.
Available in various colors and styles, such as green, yellow, grey, orange and various other custom colors, fiberglass grating is more appealing in look as well. To ensure the longevity of the product, color is permanently added to the resin formula. The color and style of the grating are decided, while keeping the safety hazards in account. Some of the most prominent industries that use fiberglass gratings are waste water treatment plants, food processing plants, aquariums, power plants, chemical plants, lift stations, plating shops and also plants with canning and beverage facilities.

An excellent alternative to the metal grating system, fiberglass is more cost effective, durable and with plenty of safety benefits, making it a popular choice for general and industrial use.

What to use Fiberglass Grating for?

Fiberglass grating is a contemporary alternative to metal grating. Not only does it look more attractive, but is also extremely resistant to corrosive environments. It is also fire retardant, light weight and non-conductive and these make it a popular grating option for docks, fire escapes, trench covers, walkways and so on.

Fiberglass grating is available in grid as well as square patterns, and is popularly used owing to the great resistance it provides coupled with its low maintenance cost. While metal grating, if not taken proper care of, can rust, fiberglass grating is rust and corrosion free.

Fiberglass grating can also resist chemical attacks, thus making it more durable. Fiberglass grating is now being used everywhere and below we mention the various places you can use fiberglass grating for.

Dock and Dog Walkway – If you want a safe walkway for your family, kids and dogs, fiberglass grating is the best option for you. It will provide you a sturdy support, and slip proof protection from the water underneath.

Car Wash –Fiberglass car wash grating is immensely popular with car wash operators and owners. If metal and steel grating has failed to live up to your expectations, you can immediately replace it with a much safer option, that is, fiberglass grating.

Dock – For commercial as well as residential harbors and boat docks, fiberglass grating is the best choice. It will ensure you enjoy years of sturdy support, with no chances of slipping. You can thus be sure of enjoying complete protection when trying to reach the boat with family or friends.

Manufacturing – If you are a manufacturer, you certainly want to keep the equipment as well as walkways for your guests and employees slip-free. The anti-slip surface that fiberglass grating provides is ideal for this situation.

Car wash – Whether you are in the need of grating for automatic or self-serve wash systems, fiberglass grating is the best choice. With it you can be sure that your vehicles will be properly supported and your employees are absolutely safe, even in soapy wet conditions.

Oil drilling – It is very important for oil drilling workers to have sturdy and non-inflammable walking surfaces. Fiberglass grating offers you a resin base which together with being anti-slip also does not allow fire to spread.

Stairways and Platforms – Steel ladders,stairs and metal walkways can break down after staying exposed to the weather elements for a long time. However, fiberglass platforms and stairs will remain the way they are even after years of service.

Battery Rack – Fiberglass grating offers the perfect conditions for battery storage, which are non corrosive, and thus exactly what you need.

Stairs – fFberglass stairs are durable and safe no matter what the weather conditions might be. So, even after years of enjoying the services of fiberglass stairs, you can still be sure it will provide you equally great services.

Rooftop Air Conditioning – Proper airflow and elevation off of your roof is important for the AC units. Pairing of a proper platform system with fiberglass grating can ensure the best conditions for your AC units.

Did you know that in your daily life, in the 21st century, you encounter more fiberglass materials and surfaces than plastics, woods or metals? When people think of fiberglass, they tend to think of either car bodies or the more roughly-hewn linings to pools, hot tubs and sometimes bath tubs. It’s rigid, thin, and kind of pulpy. Well, that is one form of fiberglass, spray-molded fiberglass, and it’s one of the original applications and forms of it.

But, fiberglass can be made in a number of ways, with a number of different chemical recipes. As a result, fiberglass can mimic quality plastics, metals and woods fairly accurately, and at lower costs. One of the most common uses of this is fiberglass grating, which has a huge variety of applications. Do you own a box fan or window fan? You probably think it’s made of metal and plastic, and while the blade is probably plastic, that rigid, durable grating you thought was top grade plastic is in fact fiberglass of a high caliber.

Fiberglass Grating

Fiberglass grating is durable, affordable and lightweight, but it’s also strong as all heck. For example, fiberglass grating is used in car wash platforms, industrial drainage and even in catwalk grating, where it must withstand high temperatures and quite a bit of abuse. Believe it or not, it takes four times the amount of plastic per square inch to support thermal-molded fiberglass grating’s strength per unit.

In fact, it’s so resistant to weight and corrosion that battery racks are almost always made of this material as well. Battery acid is highly corrosive, even if the batteries are maintained, it’s entirely possible for one to spring a leak. Combined with their massive weight, upward of 50 pounds in many cases, this adds up to a need for a material that doesn’t rust or dissolve easily, and which has the tensile strength to fight this chemical advance under significant pressure. Before fiberglass, reliance was mainly on rubber-coated metal, which is heavy, costly and has a limited durability reliant almost entirely on the flimsy rubber coating’s staying power.

You can use this material for just about anything metal or wood grating can be used for, with the exception of some high-temperature environments (forges, foundries etc). You can easily make strong, winterized stairs, docks, deck supports and even furniture out of fiberglass grating, and it’s guaranteed to outlast plastics and even some metals.

Unlike slippery plastic grating, it’s hard for ice to form on fiberglass, and it can even be made with threading in the grate work, allowing a winter and rain safe snit-slip surface. Even cement cannot do that.

So, when a contractor recommends the use of fiberglass grating for your drains, outdoor stairs, deck construction, or the dock for down by the lake, rest assured he knows what he is talking about, because it’s one of the strongest, most versatile construction materials for its price, and it’s hard to go wrong with it.

While metal, wood and plastic will always have their places in construction and engineering, fiberglass is the responsible, fiscal material to use in many cases you’d not have expected.

Fiberglass Grating | Fiberglass Installation

We all know the value and versatility of fiberglass by now. After decades of it finding uses in so many things from construction, pools, automotive manufacturing and even grating and plumbing, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most diverse and adaptive materials our technology can currently create. It can withstand a wide array of temperatures, it can hold up against corrosive chemicals and all manner of weather and stress tests and not even show wear in many cases.

But, what goes into fiberglass installation, and how do these things contribute to costs? Sure, we all know what fiberglass is, an epoxy resin hardened to a molded shape, but what does it take to practically apply this molded shape? Does it require special care versus other materials such as metals, glass and fabrics?

FRP Grating

The truth is, it does and doesn’t. It all depends on how it’s being used. But, one constant is that it has to be handled and delivered with care. Fiberglass must be shipped with significant padding and protection, as despite its pretty durable nature, unless designed for shock absorption, it doesn’t handle rough shipping or unloading well.
Take for example swimming pool shells. They’re designed to hold up against water and weather remarkably, but they’re not designed to have their weight distributed unevenly during unloading and carrying, nor severe jostling during shipment.

As a result, shippers and installers of fiberglass pool shells must be skilled in handling them the right way – which isn’t easy by the way, or it will be destroyed to costly effect. As a result of this difficulty and needed special skill, these individuals will charge more for their time and work – and understandably so.

When it comes to other uses of fiberglass, outside of automotive which is all kinds of special in many ways, it is a bit less of a difficult thing to deal with. Fiberglass grating, for example, can be shipped in stacks like any kind of grating. However, steel or plastic straps to batten it down in the truck are out of the question, only bungee or fabric fastenings are really viable. This means that trucks outfitted for shipping grating, and fiberglass grating at that, may do so. This can incur a bit of extra cost if a specific truck and driver has to be called upon to make a delivery. Again, this makes sense.

Installing fiberglass grating simply requires an understanding from the builders of what it will and won’t tolerate. Fiberglass doesn’t like having holes or screws drilled through solid areas of it, as it will form stress points that compromise the surface, especially once the weather fluctuates. It doesn’t like the screws intended to be attached to it to be unbearably tight either, so in cases where a seal must be formed, special adhesive to seal the gaps is necessary. This adhesive can be costly, but the skill to apply it is nothing extraordinary.

It does stand to reason, though, that seeking a crew that has a good understanding of fiberglass and how it likes to be treated is a wise decision when having the material installed. This is a good crew indeed, and a skilled one, and as such, may be a costlier crew to employ than one less knowledgeable in diverse modern materials.

Ultimately, it’s more about shipping and handling fiberglass that brings about the most cost, aside from specialized applications like installing pools or automotive manufacturing. It comes down to being willing to spend the price for a skilled construction crew who knows many materials well, fiberglass definitely included.

Fiberglass Grating | Pricing Details

Fiberglass grating is increasing in popularity in recent years, as with many fiberglass products, due to the versatility and renewability of fiberglass as a resource. Being somewhat eco-friendly, and very durable, fiberglass is a material that makes all sides of the argument more or less happy.

The question everyone asks, though, relates to affordability and pricing. How costly is fiberglass grating, how are prices determined, and what factors are key contributors to the resulting prices?

The truth is, there’s a lot to factor in with pricing of fiberglass grating, and no one thing supersedes the rest in level of impact. As a result, all of the contributing factors are equally key.

The truth is, there is no standard industry price for fiberglass grating, when the price is given to the consumer, but the best way to determine if a price seems reasonable is to consider the factors alluded to above. So, let’s take a look at what a few of these might be.
Material costs are relatively constant, but they are a factor. The components used in fiberglass are silica granules, epoxy and acetone which together form a liquid to solid transition into a durable shell. The price of these materials changes little from location to location or time to time, aside from general inflation and local economy.

The manufacturing process involved is a major contributor, however. Some fiberglass grating manufacturing processes involve a lot of human intervention to cut or mold the material into the desired shape. These tend to be costlier processes, and so if the producer in question mentions these processes as their techniques of choice, then their slightly higher prices are justified.

Manually-crafted fiberglass is often of higher quality than machined, so if this is raising the price to some extent, it is worth the compromise.

Storage of this material is a factor too, but in a different way. Companies that specialize in fiberglass grating, or grating in general, will have reduced storage and warehousing costs than a company with more diversified interests. With this in mind, it’s best to seek out a company that manufactures and sells grating directly and exclusively, to cut out the higher cost of diversified warehousing.

More directly applied to the consumer, the amount of grating and the size of the cells is a factor as well. Smaller cells are more affordable, as they are easier to produce and are often less frequently damaged in handling. Larger, less rigid grating is more susceptible to damage in shipping and storage. The fact is, any product has this sort of overhead, of some damaged goods occurring internally. This overhead affects price, and so, going with serially-implemented smaller cells is going to be a more affordable option.

Fiberglass grating is usually sold in quantities, rather than individual units, It is often palettes or reams of cells at a time, ergo it is more affordable and cost effective to use it in scaled jobs. However, with smaller units, individual cell replacements or small scale quantities can be available reasonably-priced from grating specialists. This is more of a challenge for diversified providers that do not handle grating as a primary or exclusive product.

Again, there is no industry standard for pricing, but you know you are getting the best price when the company is all about grating, and when they list their processes.

Fiberglass Grating | Benefits and Uses

With all of the misunderstanding and confusion over the capacity and nature of fiberglass, and the true uses of grating materials, perhaps it’s time to clarify a little bit about both. In doing so, perhaps we can learn the benefits of fiberglass and the true flexibility of grating as a construction material.

So, as we all may or may not know, fiberglass is an epoxy-composite of silica glass which can be molded and shaped into any form imaginable with very simple and cost effective industrial practices. The cost effective nature of fiberglass grating, from any respectable company in the industry, is usually passed on to consumer, who will enjoy not only affordability with this diverse material, but other benefits as well.

Fiberglass is incredibly durable, able to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, stress and exposure to corrosive materials which metals and plastics cannot, depending on which curing process was used on it. As a result, fiberglass can be a base material for creating any number of construction components.

It just so happens, it’s perfect for grating. So, you find yourself saying “Well, fiberglass is impressive alright. But what’s so special about grating?”

Where do we start?

Like the cost-effectiveness of fiberglass, grating is a very efficient way to design surfaces and structure components. Being a compact, self-reinforced latticework, grating can provide the strength of a solid object while using a fraction of the material. Add to this the fact that unlike solid surfaces, grating shows early warnings of stress points forming, so that it can be replaced before accidents happen, and you have a winning concept. But that isn’t all, grating, by its very design, is a high-traction, non-slip surface which adds to safety in the workplace or in a home. The perforated design of grating means that spillage drains automatically too, adding to this non-slip aspect as well.

Grating is also further cost-effective due to its cellular, easy-to-replace nature, meaning that flooring and other structures made of grating do not need to be entirely replaced when one sheet or cell is damaged or begins to form stress.
Combining the durability and affordability of fiberglass with the practicality and safety of grating means that this construct can be used in more ways than you can probably imagine.

Most people picture fiberglass being relegated to pool shells or car bodies, where heavy weight would result in some give or even collapse, but fiberglass used in grating, alongside the natural reinforcement that grating structure provides, makes it incredibly rigid and supportive, which means that components such as stairs can easily be built from it. With the heavy traction and endurance of fiberglass grating, this makes for some incredibly safe stairs, safer than cement or wood or metal any day.

Docking is another magnificent example of the safety and practicality of fiberglass grating. Due to the wet conditions of a docking area, regardless of weather, the traction and natural draining capabilities of fiberglass grating make it very safe, and very capable of enduring corrosive salt and rough water conditions with ease.

Fiberglass grating is hands down the best material for commercial drainage as well, in environments such as car washes, kitchens and industrial climates, where its lasting power and affordability for large implementation make it not only the safe option, but the wise one. Fiberglass is capable of enduring exposure to a wider array of chemicals than metal or plastic, and can withstand higher temperatures than plastic. It does not corrode like metal, and does not absorb heat like metal, making fiberglass grating which was recently exposed to heated liquids much safer and less of a risk to induce burns.

Fiberglass grating is also flame retardant, making it great for building decks or elevated patios, where barbeques and other activities may be held. Unlike wood, it doesn’t require regular application of water seals, and unlike cement, it does not form expensive-to-repair cracks or ugly stains that require power washing to remove.

Fiberglass grating is also quickly replacing its plastic cousin for shipping containers for this same cost practicality and endurance capacity. Fiberglass is nearly as light weight as plastic, with none of plastic’s trade off of low heat and stress resistance.

Fiberglass | What is it and How is it made?

Fiberglass is one of the most widely used synthetic materials in modern times, it finds its way into all manner of things from automobiles to construction and even surgical uses as well. It’s been around for quite some time, but many people are unsure of exactly what it is, and how it’s made.

It sure doesn’t look like glass, does it? And, well, “fiber” could mean any number of things these days. With more people recommending fiberglass grating for drainage and industrial purposes in recent years, maybe it’s time we take a look at what fiberglass is, how it’s made and used, and what’s involved in taking care of it. Maybe with a little more understanding of the technology, we can fully appreciate it for the miracle it is.

At its core, fiberglass is an epoxy resin composed of bonding material and micro-fibers of silicate glass. In its raw form, upon initial mixture, it has a viscous form similar to other epoxy compounds. It is often mixed with acetone or ether as well to increase the speed at which it coalesces and hardens in industrial practices. Once dried, depending on the process involved, it has a slightly plastic-like rigidity and a unique texture resembling a hardened putty or recycled plastic compound.

So, how exactly is this odd substance shaped into so many interesting things, and how do they get it to be smooth and shiny in some cases? Well, it’s surprisingly simple, but there are a few different processes used.

Remember, fiberglass is a viscous liquid in its initial state, and as such, it’s molded into various forms. One of the older methods for shaping fiberglass is to use vacuum or pressure molds not unlike the die casting process for some metals. The fiberglass, in its liquefied state, is pressed or injected into a mold. After this it is either chemically hardened with catalysts and acetone, or it is baked very briefly in a furnace between 330-420 degrees Fahrenheit.

This process creates a more rigid form of fiberglass that can be smooth to the touch and rather resistant to weather conditions that other processes cannot. However, with this process, it can be slightly brittle, meaning that it cannot exceed the posted stress levels by much. Fiberglass grating can be made this way, and this process is ideal for grating that will be used in drainage systems, but not really for industrial systems.

A similar process involves pressing it into sheets that are chemically hardened. These are then mounted onto rigging called a “jig”, where either robotic arrays or skilled workers cut it into various shapes. This process creates slightly less rigid, slightly less smooth fiberglass, which can be used to make grating that withstands a bit more stress. It’s somewhat costlier to manufacture due to the length of time to harden, and the effort that goes into cutting and shaping this form of fiberglass, but for industrial and construction purposes, it tends to be the most precise and durable, especially for grating and sheet work.

A third process is used, often for the creation of pool shells and some parts of vehicle bodies – seldom for grating. This involves manual or robotic spraying of epoxy fiberglass onto a shaping mold in a series of coats not unlike paint or plastic epoxy. This produces the well-known “bubbly” form of fiberglass which isn’t very rigid but very durable against water and stress. It’s less aesthetically appealing, and is therefore seldom used for things that will be directly visible in a structure. It is usually heat-hardened, but can be chemically hardened as well.

An extra stage in this process may be employed where a single side of the finished component is polished or sanded by either machines or skilled workers, to remove the uneven “bubble” appearance of one side of the shell. Automobile plants employ this heavily in modern times. Combining this with press mold techniques can also produce a rigid, transparent glass similar to Plexiglas, though this process is not yet heavily used as the product is costly and not quite as strong or scratch resistant as Plexiglas.

When it comes to maintaining fiberglass, be it grating or otherwise, it’s important to know how your fiberglass was cured. Different curing and hardening processes make it more or less resistant to thermal variation and sun exposure. Some forms of fiberglass become brittle and decay with over-exposure to UV, so it is important to be sure that the material is rated for high UV exposure in overly sunny places where this may be an issue. Fiberglass intended for draining is intended to be exposed for long periods of time to moisture, so it is important to make sure this material isn’t used in locations where long periods of absolute zero moisture may occur.

Fiberglass may develop cracks or weak spots, but these can sometimes be repaired with standard epoxy putty. Do not, however, attempt to use epoxy putty to repair grating, as any segment being weakened compromises the entire structure and it should then be replaced.

Grating Types | Comparing Different Types of Grating

Grating and latticework are among some of the most valuable materials in construction and in design for industrial processes and facilities. One of the earliest sophisticated uses of metal work dating back to the bronze age, it has seen an infinite number of practical applications since the dawn of recorded history.Today, there are a number of grating types, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and ideal applications. None are superior to others, because each is of immeasurable value in specific situations, and within specific expenditures and budgets.

For example, plastic grating, which is one of the more affordable forms, has immense value for lightweight applications where it must endure weather exposure and some forms of chemical exposure. Many chemical plants heavily employ plastic grating for flooring and filtration structures for handling materials that would be heavily corrosive to metals or fiberglass.

Plastic grating is commonly used in many drainage applications as well, such as shower drains, pool drains and irrigation. In recent times, it has also found increasing use as a storage medium for materials that require the ability to “breathe” as well.

Fiberglass grating is sought out for applications that require durability without the corrosive nature of metal, or the fragility of plastics. Fiberglass is known to resist frequent temperature changes within standard tolerances, and is also rather easy to maintain and clean. With its high tensile strength, it is also excellent as a flooring material in situations that require the chemical resistance of plastic, but the strength of metal. Some applications also use plied layers of fiberglass grating as composite material for walls and floors and walls that need ventilation.

Steel grating probably has the widest range of applications. Given its strength and heat resistance, any non-corrosive or oxidizing environment is ideal for steel grating use. Animal cages, security doors, drainage grates and filtration systems are among the many common applications for this strong and long-lasting material.

Unlike fiberglass and plastic, steel handles extremely high and low temperatures beyond standard tolerances, but is less resistant to weathering and corrosive materials, somewhat limiting its industrial application in some cases. However, being one of the strongest types of grating, it’s one of the most versatile from a construction standpoint.
Bar grating is an affordable solution to similar applications for which steel grating is often used. Commonly seen in many industrial applications for use as catwalk flooring and scaffold, bar grating is incredibly strong, durable and long lasting, but often at a lower cost than steel grating.

One of the benefits of bar grating, especially when used as a walking surface, is the traction it provides that plastics, fiberglass and steel do not, making it incredibly safe for use in this application. Galvanized bar grating also often offers resistance to corrosive environments and weathering similar to fiberglass and plastic grating, with nearly the strength of steel grating. It’s less common to use this form of grating with drainage or other such applications, but it can indeed work for these as well.