Though estimates vary depending on the type of fiberglass used and the particular conditions within which the fiberglass grating is expected to operate, there is no doubt that fiberglass composites last considerably longer than the next best material. Even in harsher, less hospitable environments, fiberglass grating can often perform at its peak for decades.

Outperforming and Outlasting All Alternatives

Installation & Maintenance Costs

Stainless steel may seem like the obvious choice for many structural applications due to its ready availability and generally widespread engineering familiarity. Yet the cost of installation and ongoing maintenance for steel gratings stacks up considerably. Regular repairs and eventual replacement of steel-made structures of the same size, shape, and specifications are a costly inevitability.

By contrast, fiberglass gratings can be fabricated offsite, transported, and assembled at the final location with ease. The lightweight nature of the material means installation is a safe and simple process. Add to that, the virtually non-existent maintenance costs and any intuitive investor will be opting for the fiberglass equivalent every time.

Strength and Stability

Pultruded fiberglass gratings are among the strongest multi-strand components on the market, providing a level of flexibility that far exceeds any metal, enabling it to absorb intense impacts without failure.

Designed for Durability

When exposed to the elements, all materials begin to succumb to an array of adverse effects; rotting, rusting, cracking, corroding, and so on. Fiberglass is superior to conventional engineering and structural materials in this respect, proving impervious to liquid ingress, gas absorption, and various other complex phenomena that cause mechanical degradation. Fiberglass grating will last way into the retirement years of most of the workers walking up and down it, day in, day out.

Structural Safety

From a structural perspective, fiberglass grating is demonstrably safer than stainless steel alternatives. It can be fabricated with a gritted surface to ensure that workers and pedestrians can tread safely at all times, even in the presence of standing water or condensation. Additionally, fiberglass gratings can be pultruded with industrial resins designed for enhanced flame retardancy.

Using Fiberglass in Your Industrial Frameworks

In summary, fiberglass gratings last longer than alternative systems in comparable situations. For instance; steel gratings in offshore facilities will gradually succumb to rust and pitting via oxidation and chloride corrosion. This can lead to loss of structural integrity and the gradual wearing of the surface, creating a slip hazard. Fiberglass grating circumvents all of the issues simply due to their superior anti-corrosive properties, with many peripheral benefits that add value to your installation. If you would like to learn more, simply contact a member of the Strongwell team today.