Antigua 215sb Roof Repair...updated

slavco wrote:

hybrid dw wrote:
Luan bad, FRP good!

First of all, wow awesome job! Thanks so much for posting pictures, it's always amazing to see the progress and how people tackle these repairs, so again, thank you!!

How does FRP compare in strenght to Luan? I realize the 1/4" Luan they put on there doesn't offer much but the styrofoam sandwich does seem to hold well together.
Are you able to walk on top of the FRP section?

Slav

Slav - FRP when bonded fully enough is stronger than Luan due to the fiberglas in it. (Certainly much stronger than water damaged, delaminated Luan). This question deserves more detail than that really. If anyone reading is in the construction or building design industry this may bore you.

Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) panels in this use is the 1/8th inch thick version sold at Home D***t. This is essentially pvc with glass fibers embedded (not mesh) that is vacuum formed into a 4 x 8 sheet with a bumpy texture on one side, smooth on the other. These panels are intended to be Wall coverings to produce high durability, they are not meant to be put in a load bearing condition...so this is my hack of FRP.

The Camper Structure is designed to rely on the engineering practice of diaphram bracing. The aluminum frame skeleton of the "box" is braced by these Luan composite panels(Luan/rigid foam/masonite). The Luan (wood) is approx 3/16 inch thick and cannot by itself be relied upon for load bearing...it has to be a bonded assembly of other materials to resist forces. My choice to use FRP is to replace a material susceptible to water damage (wood) with one that is not.

As for walking on it, only stepping where I know the aluminum frame is key or where the bathroom walls support the deck above.

Keep your eye on this thread for updates, I aint done yet!