In an era where architectural professionals must balance both design flexibility and sustainable innovation, one material has emerged as one of significant intrigue that can tick both boxes – Glass Reinforced Plastic, more commonly known as GRP or fibreglass.
GRP is a versatile and resilient composite, consisting of fine glass fibres embedded within a polymer. As a flexible and applicable material, it offers architects and designers plenty of opportunities and advantages that can help them solve many modern construction challenges. Considering its properties and composition, it may well end up being a material of choice for many in the construction industry who want to move away from steel and concrete solutions, as their complexities become more pronounced.
With that in mind, it’s prudent now to explore the benefits of GRP and how it can find itself applied in a diverse range of architectural projects in the UK and beyond.
GRP boasts exceptional material properties
The inherent properties of this material make it particularly valuable in modern architecture and construction.
When we think of building materials, we often default to concrete, steel or timber, and plastic rarely crosses our minds. GRP though, boasting an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and exceptional durability with little to no maintenance challenges, may well be a part of the conversation before long.
Its corrosion resistance is handy for residential and commercial construction projects that are prone to harsh weather and moisture from coastal areas. Conversely, iron-based alloys like steel would require frequent treatment due to repeated rusting.
Take the hypothetical example of using GRP in gratings instead of steel gratings, and its physical properties build a strong case for its continued use in projects where steel would usually be a go-to product.
GRP’s chemical resistance “makes it particularly useful in industries like wastewater treatment and offshore facilities which often require gratings in corrosive environments,” that’s according to Elemy, a GRP and metalwork specialist.
In a direct comparison of GRP versus steel in strength, durability and costs, the manufacturer found the following:
“GRP gratings are up to 50% lighter than steel alternatives, a characteristic that simplifies handling, transportation, and installation.”
Beyond its durability, an innate malleability before and during manufacture presents architects with unrivalled design freedom. GRP can be customised into a variety of shapes and configurations, which would be more technically cumbersome and expensive with conventional building materials. This benefit has solidified GRP as a valuable asset to statement architectural features, building façades, and renovation projects where design flexibility is critical.
GRP can be used in numerous applications
Recognised for its versatility, GRP is now being adopted across a wealth of architectural applications. On the commercial side, applications range from raised access floors, walkways and platforms to handrails, stairs, cladding and access covers. Its non-conductive and anti-corrosive nature makes it suitable for a range of situations where temperature and weather can be at polar opposite ends of the spectrum.
The residential sector has similarly embraced this technology in the manufacture and installation of everyday products. Wessex Garage Doors utilises GRP for their premium garage door range, offering homeowners the aesthetic appeal of traditional timber with superior thermal performance and minimal maintenance requirements. The GRP garage door range on offer here demonstrates just how the material can be finished to replicate the style of other popular materials while outperforming them in thermal efficiency and durability.
GRP is energy efficient and sustainable
With building regulations moving towards a more energy-focused and sustainable future, GRP lends itself as a material worth considering for eco-conscious architects, designers, and builders.
Stormking, a GRP fabrication company, has invested heavily in eco-friendly construction and eloquently highlights its “notably efficient” production process in a recent analysis of GRP eco properties.
“ less waste compared to traditional construction materials like concrete or steel. This efficiency not only conserves resources but also reduces the environmental impact associated with material waste.” Furthermore, GRP’s inherent properties “align well with green building standards such as BREEAM or LEED.”
Based on recent data, it boasts an inherent thermal insulation capacity that far exceeds aluminium, making it an excellent choice for reducing thermal bridging. GRP retrofit solutions (e.g. window frames, door frames, cladding panels, trim, etc.) can, by extension, improve a building’s thermal performance without much structural overhaul.
This material also requires 75% less energy to produce and manufacture than steel, thanks to its exothermic curing process. Its carbon dioxide emissions total less than half of what concrete does and a third of what steel produces, suggesting GRP is a more carbon-friendly material.
What does the future look like for GRP in modern architecture?
As architects and designers continue to explore new design concepts and innovative ideas to breathe new life into the surrounding urban fabric, GRP manufacturers will no doubt continue to innovate. In turn, the industry should expect to see a broader range of GRP products and sub-products enter the market, while architects continue to explore their unique characteristics and find game-changing new uses for them.
Provided that they adhere to relevant building and architectural industry standards, there is every reason to believe GRP will become a mainstay in contemporary architecture, and the acronym will become synonymous with everyday construction discourse.