Fiberglass reinforced plastic, more commonly known as FRP, is an excellent wall cladding material but with certain glaring limitations. The FRP wall material is not 100% water-resistant and does more harm than good inside wet commercial applications. The grow rooms, hospitals, dairy farms, fisheries, and car wash garages having installed FRP panels are not fully satisfied. The FRP wall material is highly vulnerable to repair callbacks and is not a sustainable solution. Rather consider investing in vinyl wallboard made from 100% virgin PVC material. Duramax’s USA-made vinyl panels are a better alternative for traditional FRP. Let’s find out what makes PVC stands apart from the general FRP wall material.
PVC is lightweight and easy to install
The vinyl wallboard has a DIY installation process and is inexpensive, quick, and hassle-free. The PVC panels arrive in DIY kits with a user-friendly instruction manual to enable a novice in the step-by-step installation. The PVC panel kits are a one-time investment and do not require additional installation materials. You can hire a novice laborer with only 5 dollars to help install PVC panels. On the other hand, the FRP wall panel installation requires hiring 2 skilled laborers and purchasing backers, rivets, and adhesives. The FRP wall material is cheap, but the pricey installation makes the choice expensive. Shift from FRP to PVC to save 40% on material cost and 50% on labor expenses during installation.
PVC is more durable and strong
The USA-made vinyl panels have the longest lifespan of 140 years and are highly durable. The recyclable wall panels last 40 to 50 years post-installation and are not susceptible to callbacks. The vinyl panels don’t require repainting or repairing for at least 40 years. The ½ inch thick PVC panels require no backer support during installation, and the inner webbed truss design offers excellent strength, durability, and resilience. The PVC panels are abuse-resistant and can sustain blows and impacts without cracking, breaking, warping, or getting damaged. The vinyl panels are resistant to moisture and do not rot, rust, peel off or degrade under any circumstances.
On the other hand, FRP panels have OSB backers that attract moisture and degrade, mold, rot, and peel off. In addition, the moisture-absorbent FRP wallboard has questionable durability and strength. As a result, the FRP panels are fragile and can’t sustain heavy blows, abuses, and high impacts. That’s why PVC panels are better for high-traffic wet commercial applications.
PVC is moisture resistant and hygienic
Duramax PVC panels have a non-porous smooth surface that sheds off excess moisture. The PVC panels have no backers to attract moisture, thereby stopping mold growth, mildew, and bacteria inside the damp interiors. In addition, the vinyl panels have no crevices where bacteria and waste matter can hide. The PVC panels are ASTM-certified, fire-resistant, FDA-compliant, CFIA-certified, and an extremely hygienic choice for commercial food facilities like restaurants and breweries. On the other hand, FRP panels are moldy, attract moisture, and have bacteria trapped inside the rivet joints. If you want to maintain optimal hygiene inside the facility, choose PVC panels rather than FRP.
Get PVC panels with a limited lifetime warranty. Request a quote now. The panels arrive in 2 weeks direct from the factory. Avail of the free sample.
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