Why use FRP for wall protection anymore

 Like FRP only way better. 

If you like me and you come from a construction background anywhere around commercial kitchens, restaurants, food service or cannabis construction, you understand the shortcomings and warranty issues that are created by using substandard products.

When I started in construction 6 x 6 ceramic white tile was still we go to wall finish for back of the house restaurants. In 2000 FRP was thrust onto the scene and was a fantastic amazing upgrade.

This product is still relevant today and still used today but please understand it has its shortcomings.

Starting back in 2012 we searched for a way to check all the boxes where the current wall protection was falling short. And through our search we came to meet great people at Jemiclad

Working with them we were able to take medical grade wall protection and get it into the price point and useability where it would be relevant in commercial construction.

They worked diligently with us to discuss all of the shortcomings with FRP. We were able to literally one item at a time check all the boxes.

The first major issue with FRP was cutting it. Anyone who has worked with this will tell you I hate that crap it's too itchy. Well let's look deeper into that. Not only is it itchy but it has fine fibreglass dust they can get into your lungs and cause long-term health problems. We solve this problem because Jemiclad is our non-porous inert PVC sheet. This means you can literally cut it with anything and not worry about the dust..

Let's talk about the expansion and contraction of FRP. Again if you've ever installed FRP you've probably dealt with an issue where there was a bubble, perhaps when you were new to the installation. This is caused by the expansion and contraction of the fibreglass once the job site is brought up to operating temperature. In an attempt to solve this problem the FRP manufacturers made a small stop inside the trims so you could not install the panels tight together, and intern giving them room to expand and contract. We solve this problem because PVC does not expand and contract in the same way. We recommend gluing right to the edge and gluing our trims. This is because with the nature of the PVC the expansion ,as little as it is,  is absorbed throughout the whole sheet and does not de-laminate .

Let's talk about those FRP trims. They are the one part trim for all of the inside, outside and division bars. This makes removing a sheet for maintenance very difficult and it leaves the inside and outside corners open moisture and insects getting behind the sheets. This is often taken into account and silicone is used. This works long enough to get past the builders warranty, however over time silicon always peels off FRP.

We solve this by thermal forming our inside and outside corners so they are one solid watertight piece. Our divider trims are a two-part system and when the face of the trim is put on, it has neoprene gaskets that seal against the face of our product. If you ever need to remove a sheet for maintenance you can peel off the face of the trims and do the work you need. After the repair simply reapply the trims.. 

And yes it does take a large costly machine to form the one piece corners on site however we saw this dilemma as well and created the DIY system. Where are you can order 4" x 4" by full length pre-formed inside and outside corners .

Now let's talk cost savings. Our product team to the market here in Canada and the United States cost comparable to entry level non-rated FRP. Add into that all of the advantages over FRP and it is already a better deal. On top of that all of our products are class A fire rated  and have a class zero smoke rating.

Another place where there are savings, in both money and time, is the drywall taping. Because our corners are pre-formed and one piece the contractor does not need to install drywall corner beads. Because we use elastomer Glues, the contractor can save time and money by not taping any of the joints. We recommend if you're going to do this to put the drywall on backwards so there is no bevel in the wall causing it to look wavy after installation. And for fire rated walls it is quite common for our contractors to only put one smooth tape joint and not sand it.  If it must be sanded it is always best to seal it with some sort of paint.

Traditionally medical wall panels were ultimately separated from the commercial world because they war heat welded by a trained professional. We brought this into the commercial world and improved on this as well. Instead of the traditional heat welding, we offer a two-part chemical caulking. This literally bonds  the two sheets together. This product is food safe and pick proof. It can also be used where the flooring meets the sheet good or Epoxy floor . So essentially in dish areas, mop areas or general wet areas you could almost create a complete waterproof bathtub type system. Completely stopping the potential for pests and water getting behind the sheets and causing rot and mold..

What about overspray or any kind of splash. We thought of this as well. Unlike FRP if there is a paint overspray or the plumber drips glue while working above the sheet, if the concrete worker splashes concrete or even something as simple as snapping chalk lines. FRP was basically required a lot of elbow grease to try to clean it. We solve this by having all of our sheets and dividers covered with a removable film. This means after your building inspection , you can have your cleaners or site labour remove the protective film exposing the perfectly clean food safe walls ready for turnover to your customer..

Our products are available in several beautiful vibrant colours and pastels. You can make a bold statement or you can mute it down for a feeling of calm in places like hospitals, clinics and senior facilities 

As of mid 2019 all of these products are available throughout Canada and the United States.

www.jemicladcanada.co.  www.jemicladusa.com