A complete guide to GRP fencing: safe & durable solutions

If you’ve been tasked with specifying fencing for a commercial, industrial, or infrastructure project, you’ll need to choose a material that’s strong, weather-resistant, and reliable in the long term – but also one that won’t be time-consuming or expensive to maintain.

That’s where GRP fencing comes in. It has emerged in recent years as a superior alternative to both steel and timber fencing, offering a wide range of benefits that are hard to beat. In this guide, we’ll explore how GRP fencing compares to other materials, and why you should choose it for your upcoming project.

What is GRP fencing?

GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is a composite material that’s made from fine glass fibres and a polymer resin. This results in an extremely robust yet lightweight material that can withstand even the toughest weather conditions without corroding, warping, or weakening.

Our GRP palisade fencing is built from strong GRP profiles that are formed into a palisade design to create a rigid, high-security perimeter barrier. They offer the perfect solution for various high-risk environments, including:

Rail infrastructure to secure railway boundaries, restrict unauthorised access to tracks, and create protected walkways for maintenance crews
Water treatment plants to section off hazardous zones, protect open tanks and equipment, and create secure perimeters around treatment facilities
Power stations and utilities to control access around substations and cable routes, and keep unauthorised personnel away from sensitive electrical assets
Industrial and manufacturing sites to enclose entire facilities, separate production areas, and protect loading bays or storage yards from intrusion

So, why are more and more specifiers now opting for GRP fencing? Here’s how GRP fencing stacks up against steel and timber alternatives…

How GRP compares to traditional fencing materials

Steel fencing

Steel has long been the standard for high-security fencing thanks to its exceptional strength. However, it does have some drawbacks that you should be aware of.

Steel fencing is highly corrosive. Even galvanised or powder-coated steel can rust over time, especially when used in coastal or chemical-rich environments. It also requires regular maintenance, including repainting and protective treatments to prolong its life. Finally, steel is extremely heavy, which can make handling, transporting, and installing the fencing more difficult.

Timber fencing

Timber is often chosen for its natural look. But when used in industrial and infrastructure sites, it poses a number of challenges.

Timber fencing weathers easily. Rain, frost, and UV exposure can all lead to rot, splitting, and discolouration over time. It also needs ongoing treatment, such as staining and sealing, and you may find that you need to replace some sections of timber fencing over time. And unfortunately, timber is not the most secure material. Wood can be vulnerable to breakage, meaning unauthorised personnel may be able to gain access to your premises.

GRP fencing

GRP excels where steel and timber fall short. Our GRP composite fencing panels offer the following benefits:

Unlike timber or steel, GRP is extremely weatherproof and isn’t compromised by moisture, frost, or UV rays.
GRP is also non-corrosive and is totally resistant to rust, rot, and chemical damage.
It’s extremely lightweight, which makes it much easier to transport and install, without the need for heavy machinery.
GRP is exceptionally durable and delivers the resilience you expect from steel, but without the drawbacks of corrosion.
It’s also non-conductive and fire-resistant, making it a safe choice for use around trackside, substations, and utilities.
Once installed, GRP fencing requires virtually no maintenance, with no painting, sealing, or rust treatments needed.
While GRP might be more expensive to purchase upfront than timber, it’s cost-effective in the long term thanks to its reduced maintenance and replacement costs.

Protect your premises with our GRP fencing

If you’re responsible for securing a site, you need fencing that you can trust to perform day in and day out. Our GRP palisade fencing and gates give you a safe and durable perimeter solution that’s easy to install and effortless to maintain.

Our fencing is manufactured from premium-quality GRP profiles, rails, and posts, with all systems tested to BS 1722-12:2016. You can choose from standard bay widths of 2750mm and heights of 1800mm, 2400mm, and 300mm, with pointed or square top pales. If these sizes aren’t suitable, you can request other sizes to be made to order. You can also add optional rail supports, base brackets, and bespoke gates to suit your specific site needs.

So, are you ready to protect your premises with long-lasting, low-maintenance fencing? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.