FRP for a ceiling?

[parnold]

Crucify me, I don't feel like searching!

Has anyone used FRP for their ceiling? If so, how far apart were your spars, and did you have any sagging issues?

I was considering using FRP from the box store for my ceiling, but while playing touchy feely with it, wondered if it might be not so good for a horizontal surface.

Thanks in advance for all the answers.

[bobhenry]

Put it in Rip Van Winkle worked great looks good and wipes clean with a damp rag.
My spars were 12" o/c. I pre drilled and screwed using rosettes to reinforce the contact area and eliminate pull thru.



This tiny trailer is only 4 foot wide so I screwed about 5 inches off each sidewall and in the exact center making spacing less than 20" apart.

[parnold]

Thanks Bob:

The panels were marked as wall panels. They felt pretty thick, but I figured someone would have an answer. Now to source some rosettes...

[StPatron]

Now to source some rosettes...

HD carries them, hardware aisle in the slide-out trays. Can't recall if they're white, think they are clear.

[parnold]

Thanks Gary. I found some on Amazon.. probably paid too much. but ordered my S/S screws at the same time. HD and Lowes by me have really sucky hardware bins. I was in them last night looking for something and it was very frustrating. It was worth the 13.00 in shipping alone not to have to rummage through their bins. Two years ago, when I built my first trailer, I had to go to three seperate stores to get enough S/S screws to hold on my windows and hatches.

[StPatron]

I hear your frustration, Paul. Tracking down hardware can become a real goose chase sometimes and a time eater.

I couldn't find a good/cheap supply of SS screws locally. Prices were outtasight and selection was very limited. I hit the SS screw goldmine at Frank Bear's Vintage Technologies. Quality products, good prices, phone advice and he doesn't bend you over w/shipping and stupid handling charges.

[parnold]

I hear your frustration, Paul. Tracking down hardware can become a real goose chase sometimes and a time eater.

I couldn't find a good/cheap supply of SS screws locally. Prices were outtasight and selection was very limited. I hit the SS screw goldmine at Frank Bear's Vintage Technologies. Quality products, good prices, phone advice and he doesn't bend you over w/shipping and stupid handling charges.

NOW you tell me.

[aggie79]

Hi Paul,

Not exactly the same thing, but I used FRP for the under side of my hatch:



Instead of the rosettes, I used screws covers that I bought at Lowes. There is an eye that is fastened and an attached cover that snaps over the screw head.

On the sides, I used the j-trim - tacked it into place with a staple gun. Then I slid the FRP into the j-trim. I don't know the exact dimensions but the spacing on the hatch ribs was about 18".

Take care,
Tom

[parnold]

Thanks Tom, I'm sold on the FRP. I was worried about it sagging, but no one has had a problem so one less decision to be made.

Now if I could only decide on square or round wheels.....

[sid]

McMaster-Carr is my "go-to" place for hardware when I'm building....

http://www.mcmaster.com/

If I order in the morning, I usually receive it the next day... and they have damn near everything a person needs, except beer...

I order all my stainless steel screws and hardware from them, and also all my rubber seals.

As for my FRP, it wasn't from Lowe's, but a semi-trailer place here local, I bought the FRP they put on the tops of their semi-trailers (which of course is UV resistant). Comes in 102" wide and as long as you want it, I used it for the roof on our second build, inside and out, with no underlayment... sturdy and light. It was fastened on the inside with some type of rosettes, but floated on the outside and held down by the side trim and roof vent. I also have it on the outside roof of our current build that we finished in 2008. No problems....

Hope this helps,
Mark

[jonw]

I've gotten lots from here: http://www.nutsandbolts.com/ including hard-to-find hardware. Very fast shipping too.

[StPatron]

NOW you tell me.

Just look at it this way... practice for build #3.

[kludge]

NRP?

[KCStudly]

http://www.cranecomposites.com/_pdfs/FRPvsThermo_tech_6909.pdf

[aggie79]

I tried it on my hatch and it was so hard and stiff it would not bend. You had to drill a hole in it to put a nail though the stuff.

I gave up on my first sheet of frp as my teardrop had to many tight curves to it and switched to nrp or pure plastic.

slowcowboy.

Slow - I had that same issue of trying to bend the FRP and cracked the first piece I had. Fortunately, Bob Henry came to my rescue. He told me to heat the area being bent with a heat gun. That worked so well I was able to curve the FRP around the 10" radius of the lower portion of my hatch.

Take care,
Tom