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Fibreglass How-To Guides & Blog Posts

  1. Installing a GRP Fibreglass Roof

    What is GRP / Fibreglass?

    Glass Reinforced Plastic, also known as GRP, is a strong, lightweight, corrosion and temperature resistant material. It is easily moulded for complex shapes and structures.  It can be also extremely cost effective compared to traditional building materials.

    GRP consists of thermosetting resins and glass fibres which when bonded together result in a solid fibreglass material.

    GRP has been used in the UK and Ireland since the 1940’s. Its primary stronghold began in the marine industry for boat building. Once its high strength, versatility and appearance properties were recognised it was soon in demand across a variety of industries including automotive, construction, water tank building and flat roofing.

    FibreGlassDirect offer a comprehensive Flat Roofing Materials Calculator

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  2. What is Fibreglass or Fiberglass?

    Fibreglass or Fiberglass is a type of fibre-reinforced plastic made from glass fibre. For this reason, Fibreglass is also known as glass-reinforced plastic or glass fibre-reinforced plastic. Typically, glass fibre is flattened into a sheet, arranged randomly, or weaved into fabric. Glass fibres can be made from various types of glass, depending on their intended application. 

    Fibreglass or glass fibre is a reinforced plastic material composed of a woven material embedded with glass fibres randomly laid across each other and held together with a binding substance. Fibreglass is combined with resin to form an extremely strong and durable composite. Fibreglass can be supplied flattened into a sheet called a strand mat, or woven into a fabric.

    Fibreglass is extremely strong, lightweight, and flexible. Fibreglass can be moulded into many complex shapes, making it an excellent construction material. Fibreglass is widely used in bathtubs, boats, aircraft, roofs, and other applications. 

    This

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  3. Camper Van Fibreglass Repair

    Fibreglass Camper Van Repair

    Have you ever wanted to know how to repair a camper van? Camper van exteriors are mostly made of reinforced plastic parts, allowing repairs that most DIY enthusiasts can easily undertake.

    Using Fibreglass and Polyester Resin materials are the most common and efficient way of repairing a camper van. It can be used to repair cracks and holes in the fairing or leaks in the roof.

    Why choose fibreglass for camper van repairs

    Fibreglass, once mixed with a thermosetting resin such as Polyester or Epoxy resin, will provide a strong and long lasting reinforcement to efficiently repair dings and roof damage to a camper van.

    Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) is very lightweight and has almost no limit regarding the way it can be shaped.

    Fibreglass is also a very cost efficient way of repairing a van, compared to traditional repair materials. It also allows different types of finishes (textures and colours) that will fit perfectly with the rest of the van.

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  4. Clear Resin

    Clear Casting Resin is a great way to unleash your creative side and create some decorative pieces.

    The clear casting resin supplied at FibreGlassDirect is a Polyester Resin and as the name suggests it is clear when applied and clear when cured.

    Compared to other Casting Resins such as Polyurethane or Clear Epoxy, Polyester Casting Resin is far more cost effective without compromising on quality. Both Clear Polyester casting and Clear Polyurethane have excellent UV resistant properties. 

    Applying Clear Casting Resin

    Our Clear Resin is slightly different from other Polyester Resins that we offer. The catalyst addition for clear resin is 1% (e.g. 10ml for every 1kg of catalyst) at room temperature. This is slightly different when compared other Polyester Resins which require 2% catalyst addition.  The reason

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  5. Fibreglass Repair

    You can Order a Fibreglass Repair Kit Online Today!



    In comparison to traditional building materials, Fibreglass composite materials are generally easier to repair. 

    It is important to note that once the original fibreglass laminate is damaged, any repairs to the original are considered as secondary bonds. With this in mind, the materials used to repair the laminate should be as good as what the laminate was constructed with. This is particularly important for resin choice. For example, if the laminate was constructed with an Epoxy Resin it should be repaired with an Epoxy Resin.

    Any repairs should be matched as

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  6. Fibreglass for a Garage Roof

    You can Order a Fibreglass Roofing Kit Online Today!



    Fibreglass is a material widely used throughout the UK and Ireland as a convenient way to build flat roof garage extensions.



    Why choose fibreglass for a garage roof?

    Often recommended for its non-corroding properties, fibreglass is an inert material which makes it perfect for the unpredictable climate that the UK and Ireland often experience. Fibreglass will last through hail, rain, sunshine and snow. Applying materials correctly will ensure the roof will last in excess of 20 years. If in doubt of how to apply fibreglass roofing materials, our installation

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  7. Flat Roof Systems Compared

    There are many varied flat roof systems available on the market. In this article we compare some of these and identify materials and processes which are involved with each application.

    Examined and compared are the following flat roof systems: Concrete, Asphalt, Felt, EDPM and Fibreglass/ GRP.

    Concrete

    One of the main advantages with concrete roofing is that it is incredibly strong. Unlike some of its counterparts, it can withstand highly extreme weather conditions. Issues such as wind uplift do not impact concrete flat roofs, and they also have extremely long lifespans.

    The obvious downside is the extreme weight of the product. The structure must be able to support the strain of a concrete roof. Concrete roofs also require a sealant to repel water. This sealant is often made from Asphalt felt.

    Asphalt

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  8. When to repair a roof

    So when is the best time to repair a roof? The best time to repair a roof is down to each individual job and the level of skill of the person who is undertaking it. For best results each job should be planned ahead to avoid making any rash decisions.


    You can Order Fibreglass Roofing Supplies Online Today!


    Peak roofing season

    The best time of year to repair a roof, for both DIY and professional alike, is of course Summer. This time of year gives dependable working weather conditions and makes the day predictable. It is possible to undertake roofing or repairs during Spring, Summer and even Winter months.

    Professional roofers can apply repairs to a roof all year. They can even apply a whole new flat roof no matter the season. However, fibreglass/GRP roofing systems are easy to

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  9. Creating Pen Blanks using Clear Casting Resin

    The popularity of Clear Casting resin is on the rise as an alternative to traditional Arts & Crafts materials. One of the most popular questions we are asked in relation to craft activities with Clear Resin is the correct process of creating a pen blank.

    At FibreGlassDirect, we offer two types of Clear Casting Resin which may be use - Polyester and Epoxy. We have found that Polyester Clear Casting Resin works really well and is also a very cost-effective way to get started. Epoxy is also an excellent resin but is quite costly for this type of project. In terms of cost/benefit, we would choose Polyester. The Polyester Casting Resin starts from sizes as small as 1kg. 

    Pen Casting Materials

    For this project, you will need the following materials:

    • A suitable mould – e.g. slimline pen kit
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  10. Gelcoat Repair

    Gelcoat repair is inevitable for the vast majority of boats after a sustained period of time on the sea. Common gelcoat repairs are often applied for spider web cracks or eroded gelcoat to the point where the base laminate is starting to show.

    The good news is, the vast majority of gelcoat repairs are easy to undertake and will save you lots of money by repairing them yourself.

    Prepping the damaged area for repair

    To ensure a successful repair the area must be prepped accordingly.

    The first step is to chip or grind down any damaged material and finish feathering the edges with a course sandpaper such as 240-grit. This will give the new layer of gelcoat a suitable are to bond with. Care should be taken to not sand down too far and reach the glass.

    Once the area has been sanded down, it should be wiped with 

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