Walking into a bright and airy steel-structured factory building, have you noticed the long "bright strip" on the roof? It doesn't require artificial lighting or electricity, yet it evenly channels natural light into the workshop-that's what FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) skylights do.
As a mainstream skylight material used in conjunction with corrugated steel sheets, FRP skylights, with their comprehensive properties of light transmission, lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance, have become a standard feature in industrial plants, warehouses, greenhouses, and public buildings. Today, we'll explain everything from materials and performance to applications and purchasing.
01 What are FRP Skylights?
FRP is an abbreviation for Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester, also known as "fiberglass." FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) skylights, officially named Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester Continuous Sheet (GB/T 14206-2015) according to national standards, are composed of the following materials through a continuous molding process:
Fiberglass (alkali-free fiberglass mat/untwisted roving): Provides strength, acting as the "skeleton";
Unsaturated polyester resin: Serves as the matrix, binding the fibers together, acting as the "muscle";
High-performance anti-aging film (top film): Covers the surface, providing UV protection, antistatic properties, and aging resistance, acting as the "skin".
This three-layer structure of "skeleton + muscle + skin" gives FRP skylights comprehensive performance far exceeding that of ordinary sheets.
02 Four Core Advantages of FRP Skylights
I. Excellent Light Transmission, Soft and Non-Dazzling Light
The light transmittance of FRP skylights is typically above 65%, with high-quality products reaching over 85%. The light entering the room is diffused, even, and soft, avoiding glare and excessive brightness caused by direct sunlight, making the workshop "bright but not sun-exposed." At the same time, the product effectively blocks most ultraviolet rays, preventing fading of items and sunburn caused by direct sunlight.
II. Impact Resistant, Safe and Durable
The addition of fiberglass significantly improves the impact resistance of the translucent sheets. Industry tests show that its impact resistance is approximately 200 times that of ordinary glass. Whether it's bumps during construction and handling, or impacts from hail or strong winds, it is not easily broken, eliminating the risk of injury or damage to equipment from broken glass.
III. Corrosion Resistant, Adaptable to Harsh Environments
The unsaturated polyester resin matrix gives the product excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and chemical corrosion. In corrosive environments such as electroplating plants, chemical plants, and farms, where ordinary metal sheets are prone to rust, FRP translucent sheets can maintain stable service for a long time, with a service life generally exceeding 15 years.
IV. Lightweight and High-Strength, Easy Installation
FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) skylights have low density and are lightweight, placing minimal load on the roof structure and eliminating the need for additional purlin reinforcement. The product can be cut to size as needed and is perfectly compatible with corrugated steel roofing sheets. Direct fixing with self-tapping screws ensures fast installation and low labor costs.
03 Application Scenarios
Industrial Plants: Roof skylights and wall skylights eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day, significantly saving on electricity costs.
Warehousing and Logistics: Roof skylights in warehouses and logistics centers improve the working environment and reduce lighting energy consumption.
Greenhouses: Translucent and heat-insulating, providing ample sunlight for crop growth.
Public Buildings: Stadium canopies, station awnings, and corridor atriums, combining lighting and aesthetics.
Supporting Projects: Skylight designs compatible with corrugated steel roofing sheets and resin roofing sheets, commonly available in various corrugations such as 760, 840, 900, and 980.
04 Purchasing Guide: Four Things to Consider When Choosing Good Tiles
First, check the standards. Choose products that conform to the current national standard GB/T 14206-2015 "Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Continuous Sheet". Their performance is verifiable, avoiding the purchase of substandard, unregistered tiles.
Second, check the membrane layer. The membrane is crucial for anti-aging, UV resistance, and anti-static properties. High-quality products use a special anti-aging membrane that will not yellow or powder under normal use for many years; inferior tiles have thin or no membrane, and will begin to age and crack within one or two years.
Third, check the thickness and corrugation. Select the thickness according to the roof load and span (common thicknesses are 1.0mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, etc.), and ensure the corrugation is completely consistent with the matching corrugated steel sheet (e.g., V-840 with 840 type corrugated steel sheet) to ensure a tight overlap and no leakage.
Fourth, check the light transmittance design. Higher light transmittance is not always better; the choice should be based on regional sunlight and building function. In sunny regions like South China, a lower light transmittance (e.g., 11%~15%) is appropriate. In the less sunny southwest and northeast regions, a higher light transmittance is recommended, balancing lighting and heat insulation.
05 Conclusion A single translucent roof tile saves on electricity bills year after year, resulting in a brighter, safer, and more durable production space. Whether you are a factory owner, steel structure contractor, or project procurement manager, choosing FRP translucent roof tiles that have passed national standards and have excellent membrane technology is choosing the right "lighting solution" for your building.
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References: GB/T 14206-2015 "Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Continuous Board"; 21CJ103-2 "Application and Construction of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Board" National Building Standard Design Atlas