Crane Composites, a leading manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panels, announced the launch of Glasbond, a next-generation option in FRP solutions.
The innovative product redefines hygienic wall solutions with a prefabricated adhesive-backed design, enabling installation up to 60% faster than traditional FRP.
Glasbond is a dramatic advancement in FRP technology, the company said. It offers all the benefits of Crane Composites’ trusted products with an enhanced, more efficient installation process through a revolutionary peel-and-stick design for the panels and trim profiles. The prefabricated adhesive backing of Glasbond redefines the installation process because it is faster and cleaner to apply — a crucial advantage given market-wide labor shortages. Third-party lab testing has demonstrated considerable labor cost savings, making Glasbond a game-changer for installers, the company said.
In addition to faster installation, Glasbond offers the same exceptional qualities as Crane Composite’s traditional FRP products, including its protective Surfaseal finish for superior durability, moisture resistance and ease of cleaning. The smooth, non-porous surface helps prevent mold and bacteria growth, ensuring a more hygienic environment. It is ideal for environments with strict sanitation requirements, food processing facilities, cleanrooms, laboratories, dining and hospitality settings.
“Traditional wet-troweled adhesive has long been the preferred method for FRP installation, but contractors told us it can be time-consuming and harder to work with for some installers,” said Matt Shields, vice president of Building Products and Transportation at Crane Composites. “With Glasbond, we’ve developed an improved product that maintains the exceptional standards our customers expect and significantly reduces installation time and costs. We are excited to bring this next generation of FRP wall solutions to the market.”
The introduction of Glasbond marks another milestone in Crane Composites’ 70-year history as an industry innovator whose products have advanced in response to customers’ needs, the company said. The product’s development began through the company’s extensive input sessions with FRP contractors across the U.S. The contractors’ desire to save time and reduce clean-up during installation emerged from the feedback, which led to the peel-and-stick attachment concept. After conducting prototype trials, the team further refined Glasbond’s performance features and developed trim profiles to complement the panels.
The new product has undergone rigorous testing both in the field and at the company’s R&D facility to ensure ultimate bond strength across various environmental conditions. Because of these unique features, the unique Glasbond self-adhered FRP technology is currently patent pending.
“We’ve listened to our customers and responded with an innovative FRP option that addresses their pain points,” said Shields. “Glasbond demonstrates our commitment to advancements and our dedication to providing products that meet the evolving needs of our industry.”
Visit glasbondfrp.com for more information about Glasbond and to use a new ROI calculator to determine time and labor savings over traditional FRP installation.
