Another look at FRP

[len19070]

In about 1990-91 I built a fence around my Pool.

I wanted it to be a nice privacy fence to sit on the elevated concrete around the Pool.

So I built a painted Cedar fence with FRP for the insert panels.



No paint or anything, just raw FRP openly exposed, both sides to 20 years of North Eastern Winters, Summers, radical Temp changes, rain, sun, Chlorine etc.

And that's a School yard out back, balls hitting it, all the kids, and all things associated with a School Yard.

All the things I'm hearing that FRP is not supposed to do.

I recently had to reinsert a panel that was knocked out of its slot by something from the School Yard. Something that is a regular chore.

The panel was not broken, chipped, brittle or chalky.

In fact it looked as good as the day I put it in some 20 years before.

This is one hell of a test for a material that's not supposed to be able to withstand the Sun, Temp Changes and so on.

I'm convinced that this stuff can be used outside on say....A Trailer Roof that needs a solid nonporous sheet material.

Just my experience with the stuff.

Happy Trails

Len

[caseydog]

Cool. Im glad I used it on my TD.

CD

[synaps3]

Len --

Is that the stuff they use inside for showers / bathrooms?

[len19070]

Len --

Is that the stuff they use inside for showers / bathrooms?

Yep.

Happy Trails

Len

[synaps3]

I haven't seen it at my local Home Depot, where can we look for it (and what is the cost and size / sheet?)

[steve smoot]

I found it Lowes Building Supply, $30 for a 4x8 sheet. They are stocking it in white , tan and gray.

[caseydog]

:o

I haven't seen it at my local Home Depot, where can we look for it (and what is the cost and size / sheet?)

My local Lowe's had it in white and light beige colors. My HD had it in white only.

I special ordered mine in Tan from Home Depot. It took about a week to get. They had about a dozen colors to choose from.

CD

[len19070]

And if I'm not mistaken you can get this stuff in 9 or 10' sheets.

Happy Trails

Len

[Lou Park]

Len

So I gotta ask. Are you out there in your skivvy's when the church lets out?
Lou

[len19070]

So I gotta ask. Are you out there in your skivvy's when the church lets out?
Lou

Not a chance.

And do you want to know why?

Because I have respect for my fellow man.

Happy Trails

Len

[Creamcracker]

So I gotta ask. Are you out there in your skivvy's when the church lets out?
Lou

Not a chance.

And do you want to know why?

Because I have respect for my fellow man.

Happy Trails



Len

Have offered the church the use of your pool as a baptistry? You know being neighborly and all that....
Philip

[Boodro]

Len , I have it on my roof, been there for 5 years now with NO issues what so ever. If it gets dirty I just wash it off & its nice & shiny again. It helps keep the TD cool in the sun also!

[High Desert]

these are some encouraging testimonials on the outdoor aspects of FRP. I'm thinking more and more this is the way I'll go on the roof of my first build. I've worked with it a lot on semi trailer interiors and know it's a tough material in regards to impacts and the like. It can also be patched and painted if needed or desired.

Whats everyones thoughts on attaching/bonding it to sidewalls & spars? Thickened epoxy?

[Shadow Catcher]

There is FRP and then there is frp, all depends on what the composition/plasticizers are. Filon is made specifically for transportation/external use others will vary. I used to do testing on PVC pipe per ASTM standards, and while this is apples and oranges quality and durability vary greatly in a product with much less variability in what can go in the mix.

[len19070]

There is FRP and then there is frp, all depends on what the composition/plasticizers are. Filon is made specifically for transportation/external use others will vary. I used to do testing on PVC pipe per ASTM standards, and while this is apples and oranges quality and durability vary greatly in a product with much less variability in what can go in the mix.

I agree, there are different grades of products.

I used regular over the counter $30 a sheet Home Depot FRP.

And after a 20 Year Test it has held up extremely well.

What made me re-think FRP was I had a Class"C" Motor home come into my shop with the nose redone in FRP.

The owner was a Carpenter, he said it was over the counter Home Depot FRP and that he had redone it about 7 years earlier.

It was obviously a "Band aid" but it was sound

I crawled all over his repair looking for problems and found none.

These experiences tell me that FRP could be used for a Teardrop Build.

And if the trailer is properly covered or is stored inside I would see no problems.

Happy Trails

Len