FRP ? exterior ?!!! attn: BEV T and others

[oklahomajewel]

I haven't started anything yet except planning. Almost bought the HF trailer this weekend and next weekend going to the MO KAN campout! yea!!!

I love BeverlyT's photos and Bev, you mention using a pvc roofing material? I saw at Home Depot, in the plumbing/bath section some FRP (fiberglass reinforced panel?) panels that sound kinda like what you described. 4x8 sheets and white , one is slick the other is textured (which might cover some boo boos)
The textured one is about $28/sheet the slick one is about $10/sheet.
I think this is what one would use in a bathroom tub enclosure. It's about 1/8 think but I'm just guessing that it would bend okay , for using as the exterior skin.
Now this is my idea --- to apply it over the spars and the insulation...
not with 1/4 luan underneath it though....

Advise?

Other wise I'll have to check into wood and painted... I wonder if I can paint the FRP panel.... ?

THANKS!!!

Julie

[Ken A Hood]

The problem is it isn't UV stabalized. Someone here covered there "grasshopper" in it, but painted it 1st. I forget who it was, but it was painted red. It might even be in the hall of fame,
http://tnttt.com/album_cat.php?cat_id=5

It was Larry...

[mwatters]

I suspect the importance of the UV stability depends on just how much time you think your trailer is gonna spend out of doors. We're not talking about building a fence here. If the trailer is stored in a garage when not in-use, it likely doesn't really matter that the FRP isn't UV stabilized. Unless you're full-timing (in a teardrop??? Hope not!) I doubt that a handful of weekends of exposure a year is gonna do sufficient damage to the FRP. Heck, I TRY to park my trailer under a tree for the shade anyway. It would be unlikely to get full exposure the WHOLE time you're camping anyway.

Given that the FRP is VERY light, very strong and extremely flexable - I think the tradeoff of UV stability is a good one.

[BILLYL]

Just finsihed install the pebble finish for the interior. Went up easy - and as they say was very strong. Gives a nice finish and look
Thinking about using the smooth version as the roof sking - only problem is that it comes in 8foot lengths and iI need almost 9 - and not to crazt about putting a seam in it....

Now if I could only find a source for the white rosette washers.

BILL

[purplepickup]

...Now if I could only find a source for the white rosette washers.

BILL

I don't know how many are in the bag but here's some http://doityourself.com/store/6440903.htm

[JunkMan]

I can't say how it would hold up in the sun, but I've installed 1000's of square feet of FRP in food service applications. I never use mechanical fasteners, just glued it down. Make sure that the surface that you are gluing it to is clean and dust free (we usually glue it to sheetrock).

I use construction adhesive that comes in a caulking gun type tube, and use about 3-4 small tubes per sheet, or just over one large tube per sheet. Even the glue out with a toothed trowel, and stick her down. Let it set for a minute, then rub it from the center out with a damp rag to make sure it is stuck down all over. I've never had any trouble with it coming lose, as long as I used plenty of glue.

If you set the FRP in the sun, it will bend real easy. We once did a job using 8' wide rolls, 50' long. Just unrolled it in the sun, let it flatten out, and glued it down.

You can use a fine toothed circular saw blade installed backwards to cut it. Small cutouts can be made with a Dremel tool or a small side grinder, using an abrasive cut off wheel.

[cracker39]

I looked into FRP and found this site. http://www.kemlite.com/lascoboard/index.cfm. They have vinly molding to join and seal the panels. They even have plastic rivits that look like they'd do a good job of fastening the frp to wood if more help was needed. http://www.kemlite.com/pdf/6450_lasco_tech.pdf. They don't however mention exterior use. They have a link to find distributors.

I saw some similar panels in HD that were the 4x8, probably what you saw. I thought about them for interior finishing on my trailer, using the white for good lighting. Since my interior will be 61' wide and a little over 11' long inside, I'd have to buy about 12 sheets and edge join them. I might even use a leftover piece for the galley counter top since it won't get any hard use. I put images of the molding and rivet in an album at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cracker39/album?.dir=/6823.

[JunkMan]

I looked into FRP and found this site. http://www.kemlite.com/lascoboard/index.cfm. They have vinly molding to join and seal the panels. They even have plastic rivits that look like they'd do a good job of fastening the frp to wood if more help was needed. http://www.kemlite.com/pdf/6450_lasco_tech.pdf. They don't however mention exterior use. They have a link to find distributors.

The mouldings just hide the edges, but do not seal them, if you wanted to seal them you would have to caulk them. Most of plastic rivits are drive rivits, designed to be used with sheetrock. You must have a dead space in the wall to use them.

Our local Menards also carries a FRP panel that has a particle board or OSB board glued to it. I think the board is 7/16", making the entire panel 1/2" thick. Might work for sides without having to glue the FRP, but I would worry about the particle or OSB getting wet and swelling.

[beverlyt]

Hi Julie,
I'm not familiar with FRP, but it isn't the same thing as PVC roofing material.

I wouldn't really recommend you try pvc either. Bob had a hard time getting it smooth enough and he use to roof for a living.

I really don't think you'd be happy with the results.

Bev

[bdosborn]

FRP (or Filon) is the stuff that they side motorhomes with. I used it on mine and I realy like the thermal properties. While I was in Minden I felt the top of my trailer and the top of an aluminum skinned trailer next to us. My roof was barely warm and you could fry an egg on the aluminum one. Don't use contact cement to attach it. Mine is delamintating in places on the sides so I have big bubbles that come and go with the outside temp. But, the main reason I used FRP is that it is hail resistant. We all replace our roofs every ten years or so around here.
Bruce

[mikeschn]

FRP (or Filon) is the stuff that they side motorhomes with. I used it on mine and I realy like the thermal properties. While I was in Minden I felt the top of my trailer and the top of an aluminum skinned trailer next to us. My roof was barely warm and you could fry an egg on the aluminum one. Don't use contact cement to attach it. Mine is delamintating in places on the sides so I have big bubbles that come and go with the outside temp. But, the main reason I used FRP is that it is hail resistant. We all replace our roofs every ten years or so around here.
Bruce

I took a picture of a filon sample that I have, so that you guys can see the fiberglass strands in it.

Bruce, if you wouldn't use contact cement, what would you use?

Mike...

[dacrazyrn]

I recieved a sample package from here http://www.kemlite.com/filon_frp/filon_request_samples.cfm of the Filon. I am looking into it and would be great for my area and hail, alot, especially on the roof. I have a friend GIVING me some aluminum skins....so unless something messes up.

[JunkMan]

There is a difference between Filon and FRP. Although they are similar, the FRP you get at the lumber yard is normally intended for interior use only.

I wouldn't even think about using contact cement for FRP, you wouldn't be apble to re-position the FRP if you didn't lay it right the first time. Regular construction adhesieve works great with FRP, they also make a special formula for FRP, but I've never seen the need for it, the construction adhesieve works fine.

The interior FRP is normally very durable, but will star crack if hit by large hail. Scraps that I have left outdoors for extended periods seem to be affected by the UV rays after about a year. It would probably work fine if the trailer is stored indoors or under a roof most of the time.

There is a protectant made for plastic kayaks and such that may help. I think it's called 303 protectant.

[bdosborn]

Bruce, if you wouldn't use contact cement, what would you use?

Mike...

Home Depot has some construction adhesive specifically for FRP. I think I'll try that on the next trailer.
Bruce

[larryl]

We used FRP for our interior and it was great to work with. If I were to build a second trailer, I would consider using it for the exterior sides. Does it come in any larger width or height than 4' X 8' ?

Larry

PS

My daughter has lost all interest in helping construct, so now it has become a father and father-in-law project. We are about 90% complete.