Why choose a Europlanters GRP planter?
Fibreglass planters or GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) , often last up to 50 years or more as they are made of roughly the same material as fibreglass boats, and can withstand harsh weather conditions just as well as their floating cousins.
When it comes to indoor and outdoor container gardening, without a doubt, fibreglass planters are the superior choice on the basis of longevity, strength, light weight, durability, weather resistance, and style.
This article will explain why GRP is the best choice for plant pots, how it stands up against other planter materials, and how long it will last.
Why do Europlanters GRP planters have such a long lifespan?
Europlanters are known as the UK’s leading manufacturer of GRP planters. Our planters are high-quality, handmade, extra-durable, manufactured from composite material, suitable for a wide range of commercial and residential clients.
Our planters are made from the finest commercial-grade GRP.
Fibreglass is simply the best material to create stunning containers. Its high performance, weight and strength beat steel, wood, concrete and plastic, despite it being a lightweight material.
Moreover, the secret to ensuring our planters have a long lifespan also depends on our manufacturing process. Using the finest commercial-grade fibreglass reinforced with polyester resin, our fibreglass planters can routinely last 15 years to 50 years.
To craft a durable and long-lasting stunning fiberglass planter, each piece is manufactured with 5 key features:
1. A strong sandwich construction
2. For larger planters a GRP lateral bracing box section is used
3. Strong and durable resin to bind these layers together
4. Waterproof layer applied to interior planters
5. Sprayed in tough polyurethane paint baked on in an oven
Fibreglass boats and fibreglass roofing have been known to last up to 50 years!
Even under tough conditions, the mechanical properties and microstructural integrity of fiberglass can last for longer than 15 years. Our planters are certainly made to last.
Here are 5 reasons why you should choose GRP planters
1. Perfect for all weather conditions
Indoor or outdoor setting, no problem. No matter where you plan to install your GRP planters, you can be assured that they will withstand the elements easily.
GRP planters are designed to withstand extreme outdoor elements, with fibreglass being a key material in ships, planes, and cars. Resin planters are non-porous, non-hygroscopic and do not absorb excess moisture from the air, hence why they are perfect for outdoors.
2. Tough, durable and crack proof.
The answer is a resounding yes.
The worry about leaving your planter in the outdoor space during freezing temperatures is that it might crack or degrade. This is especially true for natural materials such as terracotta, that expands and contracts with heat and moisture. The weather-resistant nature of GRP means fibreglass planters are the perfect containers for displaying plants outside.
3. Lightweight and easy to move.
Large and extra-large planters that command the indoor or outdoor space have become a top design trend. As such, a lightweight material is important for the planter as huge planters become even heavier once adding soil and plants.
GRP planters are naturally light, especially compared to terracotta, stone, concrete, steel and even wooden planters. This makes fiberglass pots and planters easy to move about, giving you the flexibility to change your garden landscape as and when necessary.
4. Easy to install proper drainage holes.
It is simple to customise drainage solutions for fiberglass planters. You or your customers can easily add drainage holes with a normal drill, ensuring it is fit for indoor and outdoor settings. Otherwise, we are happy to customize the drainage holes according to your specifications.
Fibreglass with proper drainage holes won’t freeze during winter, allowing you to leave them outdoors with no concern. The nature of fibreglass serves to ensure a leak-proof and waterproof environment to house your indoor plants.
5. Little maintenance.
The best thing about our fibreglass planters is they require little to no maintenance or care, they are the most reliable planter material out there! Who does not like saving time and money?
Delightfully fade-resistant, chemical-resistant, and corrosion-proof, our fibreglass planters are a wonderful investment, safeguarded by polyurethane paint’s natural ability to ward off wear and tear as well as an added layer of UV- coating on the outer surface.
How do fiberglass containers compare to other materials?
There are many types of planters on the market, from glazed ceramic planters to polystyrene foam containers, and of course fiberglass pots! Let’s take a look into the most popular materials to better understand what plant containers work for your landscaping needs.
Ceramic pots
Ceramic, terracotta, or clay pots are earthenware pots. Terracotta has an iconic reddish-brown colour, while clay pots are often glazed into attractive finishes. These are a good match for a rustic design.
However, they should not be used as outdoor planters during winter. Earthenware is made of permeable material – this means that it is porous, absorbs water, and will freeze during winter, causing the containers to crack easily.
Concrete planters
Concrete or cement planters are made from cement paste mixed with water, sand, and even silicon, aluminum, or iron, to create a strong combination that binds the mixture. If left unpainted, it is a light grey colour that is industrial chic, suitable for many modern design aesthetics.
Unlike traditional terracotta planters, ceramic pots, or pots made from other natural materials, concrete planters tend to do better outdoors during cold weather. However, the concrete planter structure does develop small openings and holes in its surface, allowing moisture to seep in, which can cause the pot to split over time.
The other issue with concrete pots is their weight. This is particularly true for huge and extra-large concrete pots.
This makes it hard to move and creates an inflexible container garden compared to fibreglass garden containers, plastic pots, or wicker planters.
Metal planters
Metal pots tend to look sleek and modern, making them a good look for contemporary spaces. They are also fairly weather-resistant containers, and if cared for properly, will not break down in the strong sun or frost.
The biggest problem is that metal containers oxidize if they are left outdoors without regular maintenance and care. While they might not crack, metal planters rust more during winter, given their constant exposure to moisture. Unlike metal pots, fibreglass planters have no issues and are low maintenance.
Plastic containers
The great thing about plastic pots is that they are affordable! The traditional plastic pots are generally reddish in colour, while others come in a variety of colours, making them a versatile container for your landscape.
Plastic plant pots do not absorb moisture and plastic pots dry fast. This is good for the cold weather, however, if the plastic planters are weak, they may still crack as the soil within them freezes and expands. The thing to watch out for with plastic planters is that they often only last for 2 to 3 years.
We can assure you that our fibreglass planters are the most durable planter compared to all the materials above! Fibreglass pots require very little care and will easily outlive planters made from wood, plastic or metal.
While metal planters rust and wooden containers rot, fibreglass pots will remain pristine for a long time to come.
Use a mild soap to clean
Your fibreglass pot will inevitably accumulate dirt and dust with exposure to the elements and from the potting soil. Use a mild soap and wipe down the indoor fibreglass planter exterior with a damp cloth. For outdoor planters with a smooth finish, it’s best to use warm soapy water and a soft sponge.
Europlanters fibreglass plant pots require very minimal maintenance. However, they will look as good as new for a long time with a little care!
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