| Over a period of more than 20 years in the GRP | | | | and weight of the real materials. Another benefit |
| roofing and architectural features industry, there | | | | of using GRP over traditional materials is that the |
| have been many advances in the manufacturing | | | | molds can then be cleaned and reused many |
| process and use of GRP within the construction | | | | times over enabling identical units to be produced |
| sector. | | | | and in a very short space of time. |
| An abbreviation for 'glass reinforced polyester', | | | | GRP is also very strong and has almost seven |
| GRP is a light, durable and astonishingly tough | | | | times the flexible strength of steel but is |
| constructional material which can be molded and | | | | extremely lightweight, which makes installation |
| fabricated into all manner of products. GRP is a | | | | much simpler than its traditional material |
| composite of a resilient durable resin with an | | | | counterparts, saving costs and helping to reduce |
| immensely strong fibrous glass. Polyester resin is | | | | Health and Safety issues on site. GRP structures |
| the main component and just as concrete may | | | | also have an exceedingly long life span with low |
| be reinforced with steel rods polyester resins | | | | maintenance requirements and in a half-century of |
| may be reinforced with glass fibers to form GRP. | | | | composite development, well designed GRP |
| The benefits of a very strong and light weight | | | | structures have yet to wear out. |
| construction material are particularly relevant | | | | GRP is non-corrosive and has a much longer life |
| when designing and manufacturing structures and | | | | expectancy when compared to a variety of other |
| roofing features. | | | | construction materials. In highly corrosive |
| GRP has opened up many new avenues for | | | | environments it is the perfect choice over metal, |
| Architects and creative designers, its unique | | | | wood, or plastic. A popular choice where exposure |
| physical properties allow it to be easily tooled, | | | | to harsh environments is a concern, GRP can |
| molded and manufactured to meet almost any | | | | provide resistance to ultra violet light, salt air, and |
| specification. The final finish can be made to | | | | a variety of chemicals and because it is chemically |
| emulate any number of naturally occurring | | | | inert and corrosion-resistant it offers an |
| surfaces, such as timber, tile, stone or lead and | | | | economical alternative to stainless steel. It also |
| because there are few constraints on size, shape, | | | | offers high levels of water resistance and will not |
| colour or finish, this can deliver great design and | | | | buckle or distort in high temperatures. |
| appearance whilst being cost effective. | | | | An amazing level of detail can be given to the |
| One example of this is the traditional clock tower. | | | | molding ensuring that the original style, surface |
| When manufactured in GRP one side is first hand | | | | finishes, colour and even aging effects are |
| crafted in Ash timber from which a mold tool is | | | | maintained. The greatest advantage of GRP over |
| produced. The mold is coated with a release | | | | conventional materials however is the ability to |
| agent before a very durable polyester gel coat is | | | | design and build large structures conceived as a |
| applied and allowed to cure before reinforcing with | | | | whole and not as an assembly of parts which |
| layers of glass mat impregnated with polyester | | | | have to be jointed together. For example a 5m |
| resin to achieve the required thickness. When | | | | diameter dome requires none of the conventional |
| cured the laminate is extracted from the mold | | | | support structure inside the building, enabling a |
| and the process is then repeated. The | | | | large open area within the building and space |
| components are then joined together to complete | | | | directly beneath the dome. The self supporting |
| the body of the clock tower. | | | | structure can also be easily lifted into position and |
| Ash timber is used for the original pattern to | | | | installed using minimum man power and a crane |
| ensure the finished product has a beautiful realistic | | | | within only a few hours. |
| wood grain. Likewise one side of a roof is first | | | | So not only does GRP save time and money in |
| dressed in lead over a timber pattern, a mold | | | | the construction of the roofing feature, it reduces |
| produced and four sides manufactured to give the | | | | installation costs and ongoing maintenance fees |
| finished product an authentic traditional appearance | | | | too, making it an excellent cost effective roofing |
| of a genuine lead roof but without the high cost | | | | material for today and the future. |