When it comes to hygiene, durability and cleaning on a daily basis in commercial properties, wall surfaces are significantly more important than many people may realize. While drywall, tile and paint appear to be good enough when examined closely, the extent to which they require maintenance and repair, as well as their susceptibility to damage from moisture, will quickly drive up operating costs of a facility.
FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) panels provide outstanding long-term value to commercial facilities; they are not simply wall coverings, they also represent a performance-based solution for facilities that need to be able to absorb significant moisture or experience other forms of high-stress conditions, as well as providing an extended lifetime of use, thus reducing maintenance costs.
For architects, contractors and facility managers, understanding the benefits of FRP as a long-term investment and its return-on-investment (ROI) makes them one of the most advantageous materials available.
Fewer Downtime for Maintenance and Repair
Downtime is costly to any commercial business. A constant need to repair cracked, swollen or worn out material interrupts workflow. FRP Panels eliminate this interruption.
With their smooth, non-porous surface, it's easy to clean and disinfect quickly, allowing operation to resume as soon as possible. This is especially important for 24/7 businesses such as the food industry or healthcare, where even a few hours of lost production can lead to significant expense.
Longer Lifespan in High-Moisture Areas
Moisture is the number one cause of frequent wall repairs. Conventional materials deteriorate from exposure to humidity, steam or washdowns. FRP Panels are specifically designed for constant exposure to moisture and offer consistent, long-lasting performance. This longer lifespan provides fewer replacements, fewer renovations, and less downtime, all contributing to an increased financial return on investment over the lifetime of a facility.
Reduced Costly Compliance Issues
Failure to meet hygiene compliance standards can result in repeat inspections, corrective actions, and even temporary shutdowns. FRP Panels provide facilities with an easy way to continue meeting hygiene compliance due to their non-porous, easily cleanable surface.
Additionally, with less likelihood for mould, staining or bacterial growth, businesses are less likely to incur expensive compliance violations, fines, or penalties, thereby increasing their overall success.
Lower Total Cost of Ownership
While initial cost FRP panels may be higher when compared to traditional paint and drywall, the actual Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is significantly lower because of all the savings that facilities experience:
• Fewer Repairs
• Reduction in Repainting
• Reduction in Labour Costs
• Lower Downtime
• Lengthened Replacement Cycles
As a result, over a period of five to ten years, the accumulated savings can add up to a significant amount. For instance, FRP will often pay for itself long before similar materials will reach their first maintenance cycle, and as such, has an improved overall operational efficiency.
Improved Operational Efficiency
FRP has excellent moisture and chemical resistance, and therefore requires less time and effort to manage its wall conditions; this translates into increased productivity for facility personnel, allowing them to operate their business more efficiently. Additionally, the ease of maintaining the cleanliness of FRP panels contributes to an increased workflow through improved cleaning efficiency and durability.
Thus, in high-use Commercial Settings, enhanced efficiency directly contributes to improved Return on Investment (ROI).
Summary
In conclusion, durability, ease of maintenance, moisture resistance, advantages of hygiene, and long replacement cycle are all excellent attributes of FRP Panels and provide an overwhelmingly cost-effective alternative to other commonly used materials for highly demanding commercial environments.
For businesses that seek to reduce their long-term costs of operating facilities, to decrease downtime and to provide a uniform level of hygiene in their commodities, FRP Panels will represent a very profitable investment for years to come.