A beautiful dock that will stay beautiful…yeah right… It’s a tale as old as time, and some part of us actually believes it within the first couple years of installation. Even if you invest your time and money into regular dock maintenance, your dock will eventually become a weathered mess.
Yes, your wooden dock will splinter and rot. The metal will corrode, and, eventually, your beautiful investment will be an old, weathered eyesore. It’s the inevitable we forget about while riding the high of a beautiful new wooden dock.
But, what if docks did not weather? While we have to accept the fact that we can’t change Mother Nature and the wood She provides us with, we can change how to approach the issue.
Rather than installing wooden docks, many people are starting to build docks using Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) grating. FRP provides you with a gorgeous dock that will stand the test of time. It truly is “a beautiful dock that will stay beautiful.”
Aside from the fact that you will save a substantial amount of time, money, and hassle due to the low maintenance requirements, FRP docks have several other benefits.
Slip Resistant
Fibergrate® Composite Structures, Inc. manufactures fiberglass reinforced plastic grating with meniscus and integrally applied grit surfaces creating a slip resistant surface for your dock. This grit surface will not wear off with time the way most other slip resistant surfaces will.
Barefoot Friendly
The aqua and sugar grit surface of Fibergrate FRP makes for the perfect walking surface even for the most sensitive feet. Plus, Fibergrate is electrically and thermally non-conductive, so even on a hot July day, FRP docks are extremely comfortable to walk on.
Fibergrate FRP docks do not splinter like wood, so you do not have to worry about keeping your shoes on while walking across on them.
UV and Corrosion Resistant
FRP docks are able to last so long because they are UV and corrosion resistant. The grating will not weather like wood, even, when fully submerged in water, and it will not fade in the sun. Even in coastal applications known for the highly corrosive, salty air, FRP docks last longer than those made with alternative products.
High Strength to Weight Ratio
FRP grating is lightweight yet durable. This allows for a quick and easy installation process. Furthermore, the lightweight allows for movable parts if needed.
Impact Resistant
Impact resistant…because we all have that know-it-all brother-in-law that is a “master at driving and parking a boat.” Jokes aside, FRP grating has a natural give allowing it to withstand a major impact with insignificant damage.
The fiberglass reinforced plastic decking trend is only just beginning. The slip resistant, barefoot friendly walking surface; UV and corrosion resistance; strength to weight ratio; and impact resistance of FRP docks make it the perfect solution for those of you who want a beautiful dock today and several years down the road.
