FRP panels are not suitable for most wet commercial applications. The FRP wall material has been around since the 1960s, but the cons outweigh the pros. The FRP panels are slowly getting replaced with high-end PVC wall panels. Commercial applications like breweries, dairy farms, grow rooms, garages, Laundromats, and food facilities prefer to install a waterproof wall cladding material. While businesses complain about FRP, Duramax PVC panel suppliers offer 100% virgin vinyl wall panels for commercial applications. The vinyl panels are an ideal replacement for FRP. The traditional fiberglass might function great, but here are a few signs that the wall material is underperforming and needs to be replaced with a better quality board.
Peeling off – Incorrect installation
Did you know too little or too much adhesive can ruin the FRP panels? The FRP installation is a 2-man job and takes at least 2 days. You will need to buy OSB backers, adhesives, and face-mounted rivets for installing FRP panels. Only skilled laborers can install FRP panels as the wall material installation is laborious and requires proficiency. FRP installation is double the material cost. Incorrect installation can have the FRP panels peeling off and not sticking to the walls. The FRP panels are susceptible to repair callbacks as, with time, the adhesives dry out and need reapplication every now and then. FRP panels installed in winter usually start to bubble out in the warmer months. That’s why a better alternative would be PVC wall panels.
Duramax PVC wall panels do not peel off. You do not need to install PVC panels with adhesives or backers. The ½-inch PVC wall panels from Duramax are thick and don’t require a structural base for the installation. Just directly attach the PVC panels over the walls and ceilings with the help of studs and hidden fasteners. The DIY PVC panel installation is the fastest, taking only 7 hours. The PVC panel installation requires one contractor and is also the most affordable. One can save 40% on material costs and 50% on labor expenses by installing PVC panels rather than FRP. Once installed, PVC panels last for 45 years with no repair callbacks, and they never bubble out, peel off or come out of the surface entirely, unlike FRP.
Molding and hygiene issues
The FRP panels have OSB backers and absorb moisture randomly. Within a few months, you can see the FRP panels molding, rotting, and delaminating. The damaged wall panels will show cracks and splitting. The FRP panel fissures become the hub of mold, mildew, and bacteria. The FRP panels easily stain and turn yellowish within a month. Although maintenance can ensure longevity, the heavy-duty professional upkeep of FRP wall materials is pricey. If mold and mildew pose a problem, consider getting the delaminated wall material replaced by vinyl panels. Duramax PVC wall panels don’t mold, absorb moisture, rot or degrade. The bright PVC panels are whitish in hue and retain the sheen for the longest time. High-quality PVC panels made from 100% virgin vinyl last for 45 to 50 years and get recycled 7x times.
Final thoughts
FRP panels are not heat resistant. Warmer temperatures can cause FRP panels to expand, and the adhesives start pulling away from the wall. Rather get FRP panels replaced with vinyl. The PVC panel suppliers offer customized wall material within 2 weeks from the factory. Request a quote now.
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