Fiberglass reinforcement: reviews and benefits

Given the number of new buildings in recent years, it is not surprising that the importance of using new technological solutions. One of them is fiberglass reinforcement, the reviews are quite positive. In our market, this material appeared only recently, and so many continue to use metal rods for reinforcement of structures. Does such an approach have the right to exist and does the polymer material have some advantages over the standard technology?

Advantages of fiberglass

First, we must list those positive features of this material that do not have its steel counterpart. As it is easy to guess, the fiberglass reinforcement (which is said about the same thing) is very light in itself. Thus, the foundation or overlap, which was reinforced with it, will be much easier. This is especially important in cases where the house is on an unstable ground and it is necessary to reduce its mass as much as possible.

Considering its huge tensile strength, composite glass fiber reinforced plastic can be used even in the most difficult and critical cases. It is the combination of the highest strength and low weight that allowed this type of reinforcement to occupy a dominant position in the modern construction industry.

If you know a little about the properties of plastic, you can guess that it is not exposed to corrosive chemical media, and is also not prone to corrosion. And this is a huge advantage! After all, even monolithic structures made of reinforced concrete eventually deteriorate due to the fact that the reinforcement, due to wear and cracking of the concrete layer, comes into direct contact with the external environment. In addition, fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation does not wear out under the influence of wandering currents, which are a real headache for builders.

The fact is that the constant passage of static electricity and more tangible charges (when using the armature as a lightning rod) through the metal leads to a deterioration in its quality. Of course, plastic for grounding is not used, but it will serve much longer.

Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to this attractive material.

Disadvantages of fiberglass

• Fiberglass reinforcement (reviews) About which they speak for themselves) in comparison with the steel is much more bent. This does not prevent reinforcing the foundation slab with it , but with overlaps between the floors one should be more careful.
• Heating to temperatures above 600 ° C, the plastic loses almost all its qualities and collapses, and therefore, it is necessary to take all measures for the thermal insulation of those sites that were reinforced by it. Because of this, its properties can in no case be used for welding.

Finally

Thus, the main positive features of fiberglass include lightness and tensile strength. The drawbacks include a certain complexity of installation, during which welding operations are excluded, and material of particularly complex configuration will have to be ordered directly from the manufacturer. But for a foundation, there is no material better than a fiberglass reinforcement. Reviews about it say that all the existing shortcomings are more than covered with high technical characteristics.