GRP Profiles & Structural Sections:
The High-Performance Alternative
What are GRP Sections?
Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) profiles , sometimes referred to as Glass Fibre Profiles, offer a versatile, high-strength, and low-maintenance alternative to traditional materials like steel, aluminium, and timber. Manufactured through a pultrusion process, these structural sections provide exceptional durability in the most demanding environments.
Our comprehensive range of GRP profiles is designed for ease of installation and long-term performance. Whether you are constructing a lightweight walkway, a chemical-resistant support structure, or non-conductive handrailing, our pultruded sections deliver superior long-term value.
Why Choose GRP Profiles?
Choosing GRP over metal or wood provides several distinct operational and safety advantages:
• Ultimate Corrosion Resistance: Completely resistant to rust, rot, and most industrial chemicals, making it ideal for marine, wastewater, chemical plant and similar industrial environments.
• High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: GRP is up to 75% lighter than steel while maintaining comparable structural integrity. This reduces the need for heavy lifting equipment and lowers transport costs.
• Non-Conductive & Non-Magnetic: As an electrical and thermal insulator, GRP is the safest choice for rail trackside, electrical substations, and power plants.
• Zero Maintenance: With a service life of over 50 years, GRP requires no painting, galvanizing, or ongoing treatment, even when exposed to harsh UV rays and extreme weather.
• Easy Fabrication: Can be cut and drilled on-site using standard hand tools—no welding or hot works permits required.
Our Range of GRP Pultruded Sections
We stock a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit any structural requirement. Our profiles are available in standard Grey (RAL 7001) and Safety Yellow, typically supplied in 6-metre lengths.
GRP Box Sections
Ideal for structural frames and support posts, offering high torsional stiffness and strength.
• Sizes: From 25mm x 25mm up to 101mm x 101mm.
• Wall Thickness: Available in 3mm to 6.35mm.
GRP Angle and Channel
Perfect for trimming gratings, creating stair nosing supports, or building lightweight frames.
• Equal Angle: Excellent for edge protection and structural bracing.
• U-Channel: Often used as a base track or for capping.
GRP I-Beams & Wide Flange (H) Beams
Designed for heavy-duty load-bearing applications where maximum span and minimal deflection are required.
• I-Beams: Available in 120x70mm up to 200x200mm
GRP Handrail Tube
Specifically designed for handrail systems, available in 38mm and 50mm diameters. These are compatible with our range of GRP connectors to create completely non-conductive safety barriers.
Flat Bar
Circular Hollow Section
Square Hollow Section
Angle
Channel
I-Beam
Why use GRP over other materials?
| Feature | GRP Profiles | Mild Steel Profiles | Stainless Steel Profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent (Total) | Poor (Requires Coating) | High |
| Weight | Ultralight (approx. 1/4 of Steel) | Heavy | Heavy |
| Electrical Conductivity | Non-Conductive | Conductive | Conductive |
| Maintenance | Zero / Maintenance Free | High (Repainting/Risk of rust) | Low |
| Workability | Easy (standard tools) | Difficult (specialist welding tools) | Difficult (specialist welding tools) |
| Life Cycle Cost | Lowest (Long Term) | High (Ongoing Upkeep) | High (Material Cost) |
Typical Applications of GRP
The versatility of GRP makes it suitable for a vast array of industries:
Industrial; Mezzanine floors, walkways, and gantry structures.
Water Treatment; Odour control covers, baffles, and tank supports.
Rail & Infrastructure; Trackside walkways, cable trays, and fencing.
Marine & Offshore; Pontoons, boat decking, and oil rig platforms.
Public Access; Pedestrian bridge decks, ramps, and non-slip stairs.
Technical Standards & Compliance
At F.H.Brundle, quality and safety are paramount. Our GRP profiles are manufactured to the highest industry standards to ensure your project meets the required levels of compliance:
• EN 13706: Complies with European standards for pultruded structural profiles.
• Grade E23: High-performance grade for load-bearing applications (wall thickness >5mm).
• Grade E17: Standard performance grade (wall thickness 3-5mm).
• Fire Retardancy: Available in grades that meet BS 476 Part 7 Class 1 or 2 (flame retardant) and low-smoke toxicity requirements.
FAQs
Yes. Our standard structural profiles are manufactured using fire-retardant resins that meet BS 476 Part 7 (Class 1 or 2). This makes them suitable for industrial environments where fire safety is a priority. If your project has specific low-smoke or toxicity requirements (such as underground rail), we can provide specialist grades to meet those standards.
Our GRP profiles are manufactured with a high-quality “surface veil” and UV inhibitors integrated into the resin. This prevents “fiber-blooming” (where the glass fibers become exposed) and ensures the sections don’t become brittle in the sun. Unlike steel, which becomes dangerously hot, or timber, which warps and rots, GRP remains stable and safe to touch from -100°C up to +150°C.
Not at all. One of the biggest advantages of GRP is that it can be worked just like hardwood. You can use standard circular saws, jigsaws, and drills. For the best finish and longevity of your tools, we recommend using diamond-tipped or tungsten-carbide blades. Because no welding is required, you also eliminate the need for “hot works” permits on site.
While the initial purchase price of GRP is typically higher than mild or galvanized steel, it is almost always the more cost-effective choice. When you factor in the 75% reduction in weight (saving you money on cranes and labor) and the fact that you will never have to paint, treat, or replace it due to rust, GRP usually pays for itself within the first 5–10 years.
Pound-for-pound, GRP can actually be stronger than steel. However, it is important to note that GRP is more flexible. For structural projects, we supply profiles to EN 13706 (Grade E23), which ensures they meet strict performance standards for load-bearing. While a GRP beam might deflect (bend) more than a steel one, under the same weight, it will not permanently deform or fail until it reaches much higher stress levels.
