FRP Panels Vs. PVC Panels: Which One You Should Go for to Ensure Top-Notch Insulation Inside Your Commercial Space

Since 1956, FRP panels have been widely used as wall paneling material in various commercial setups. These panels have benefitted a number of heavy-duty commercial areas like construction, transportation, and marine industries. FRP panels are made from various polymers like polyester, epoxy, ester, phenol-formaldehyde resins, thermosetting plastic, and much more. With the turn of the century, many commercial owners started complaining about various downsides of these panels, like fragility, poor insulation properties, cracking issues, and whatnot. These panels cannot ensure a superlative degree of insulation and robustness and thus have been relegated to the background in 2024. 

But this begs the question: Which paneling material has taken over FRP panels? Well, PVC panels have become the talk of the town in the US commercial spaces, owing to some of their mind-boggling features, and that is exactly what we will be discussing here. Read on to find out why FRP panel installation has become a big NO in this day and age and why you should consider installing plastic walls. So, let’s start. 

The Major Drawbacks of FRP Panels 

FRP Panels Aren’t Well-Suited for Damp Environments 

Fast-paced commercial spaces like laundromats, breweries, and dairy parlors are highly susceptible to excessive moisture infiltration. Excess moisture accumulation can have a negative impact on the interior environmental conditions, workers’ health, and structural integrity as well. This is also the prime cause of the growth and proliferation of mold, mildew, and bacteria, which can cause germ infestation inside the facilities. FRP panels are supported by a backer that promotes moisture absorption. 

Furthermore, FRP panels are filled with crevices that can harbor mold, mildew, and bacteria. So, instead of installing FRP panels, you should definitely consider investing in backer-free plastic walls that act as a roadblock to moisture absorption. These walls have an anti-bacterial coating that does not allow fungal or bacterial growth inside the panel surfaces. 

FRP Panels Have Poor Fire-Rating 

No matter which business you run, you must ensure adequate fire safety measures inside your commercial space to avert potential fire accidents. FRP panels cannot safeguard your commercial unit from fire hazards. These panels are highly flammable and emit harmful toxic gases on fire exposure. Against this backdrop, you should say a big NO to FRP panel installation and rely on vinyl panels right away. Good quality PVC panels sourced from a reputed PVC wall panel supplier have a Class-A fire rating that can repel fire breakouts for 1 hour. 

The Longevity of FRP Fails to Impress Us 

With proper maintenance, FRP panels can last for only around 30 years. These panels demand frequent repairs, replacement, and refinishing issues. Over time, it has been witnessed that FRP panels display signs of flaking, deterioration, corrosion, and even delamination. Rather than shelling out a fortune to replace the damaged FRP panels, sourcing PVC ceiling and wall panels from a reputed PVC wall panel supplier in the US seems to be the wise thing to do. These panels can last for over ten decades, which is a feat in itself. This amazing longevity of PVC panels ensures that there is less chance of repairs, replacements, or refinishing issues. 

Final Take: 

So, you see, the aforementioned pointers clearly ascertain the fact that PVC panels are certainly a far better alternative to FRP panels in commercial, industrial, and residential spaces alike. Regarding the prices, FRP pricing for a single panel would be around 70$. On the contrary, you can procure a PVC panel for $83.58, which is quite high compared to FRP panels. However, when the installation and maintenance costs are taken into consideration, it has been witnessed that vinyl panels are actually a far better alternative to FRP panels and are economical in the long run. Easy installation procedures and fewer maintenance requirements balance out the cost in the long run. Get in touch with a reputed PVC wall panel supplier in the US to order customized panels online today.