When homeowners are contemplating installing a deck on their property, they tend to gravitate toward conventional materials such as timber or metal. Nevertheless, this is not the only option that is available to you. Advancements in the construction industry have created a material known as FRP. FRP stands for Fibre Reinforced Plastic.  This material is made up of plastic that has been mixed with fibrous materials such as carbon, glass or basalt. So why should you consider FRP decking materials for your home? 

FRP decking materials are weather resistant

One of the main reasons why FRP decking materials would be a suitable option over wood and metal is their weather resistant qualities. For instance, wood requires extensive maintenance measures to ensure that it stays in pristine for a significant period of time. Without regularly sealing and treating your wood decking, you will find it becomes susceptible to structural damage. This structural damage can be in the form of buckling, warping or cracking over time due to exposure to moisture as well as changing temperatures. In addition to this, wood is also susceptible to pest infestations if not appropriately protected. 

On the other hand, some metals will succumb to rust and corrosion if they are constantly exposed to wet conditions. You would have to either galvanize or powder coat your metal decking on a consistent basis to ensure that it is not affected. With FRP decking, you do not have to engage in these precautionary measures. As such, your decking has a prolonged lifespan due to this weather resistance. 

FRP decking materials have a low weight to strength ratio

Weight to strength ratio refers to the innate strength of a material in accordance to its overall weight. Typically, the heavier materials are, the stronger they are. However, heavy materials tend to be harder to construct with and therefore are not typically used to erect decking. FRP, on the other hand, has a low weight to strength ratio. This means that although it is lightweight material, this does not have an impact on the amount of weight that it can withstand. This makes it a great option for decking since it can withstand heavy traffic without its structural integrity being compromised.  Moreover, the lightweight characteristic of the FRP decking materials keeps your labour costs low, as it is easy to install. Since FRP decking materials are economical, coupled with the decreased labour costs, you could significantly reduce on the amount you would spend on the erection of your deck.