Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG)

It is a composite building material made from calcined gypsum plaster reinforced with glass fibers. It is also sometimes known as Rapidwall. GFRG panels are typically manufactured in thicknesses like 124mm and can have hollow cavities that can be filled with reinforced concrete for increased strength.

What is GFRG?

Great architectural design relies on smart material choices to keep the project on time and under budget while meeting all of the design needs of the property. Many contractors, builders, and property owners now use GFRG for interior architecture projects because of its unique composition and improvement over traditional building materials.

Modulx GRC is the leading manufacturer of GFRG. If you’d like to learn more about any of our GFRG manufacturing services, please contact us.

Basics of GFRG
The acronym GFRG, sometimes shortened to GRG, stands for Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum. GFRG is made of industrial-grade gypsum and continuous strand fiberglass and is used exclusively in interior architectural designs. These two materials are very different in both their composition and their purpose in the manufacturing of GFRG:

Gypsum – Gypsum is a mineral made of calcium, sulfur, and water (calcium sulfate dihydrate). Alabaster, the material used in many ancient Egyptian sculptures, is a type of gypsum. Gypsum is lightweight, versatile, and non-toxic, giving it a great advantage over competing options like traditional concrete. We use industrial-grade gypsum for GFRG, meaning that it exceeds all standards for quality.

Glass Fibers – These are a popular and environmentally friendly reinforcement material made with extremely thin glass. The glass fibers are made by extruding strands of glass, often silica-based, into even thinner fibers. When glass fibers are added to gypsum, GFRG becomes even more durable and ideal for long term architectural use.

The strengths of both gypsum and glass fibers combine effectively to create a very durable and attractive material for many architectural features.

Benefits of GFRG:
GFRG has become one of the single most popular materials for high-quality interior paneling and design elements. Some of its benefits include:

Design Flexibility and Consistency – GFRG pours cleanly into any mold, making it possible to create consistently uniform and complex designs in smooth and attractive shapes.

Light Weight w/Easy Installation – GFRG is one of the longest lasting lightweight materials available today. It can be installed iwth less manpower and in less time, using less reinforcement material.

Durable – GFRG has outstanding durability that rivals nearly all other architectural materials. It is the combination of light weight and durability that make GFRG such a unique option in the design world.

Environmentally Friendly – Our GFRG at GC Products Inc is made with only recycled materials. It is an environmentally friendly option for businesses looking to decrease their carbon footprint.

Cost Efficient – After factoring in the costs of installation, time, and longevity, GFRG is a more cost efficient option than most competing materials.

Easy Customization – GFRG can be customized into essentially any shape and size. It pours as a liquid into a pre-fabricated mold, and then dries in any shape that your architects have designed.

Fireproof, and More – GFRG is also fireproof. It is paintable. It is easy to clean. GFRG can also be precast, so there is no delay in completing your project. There are many different benefits to GFRG that have made it the preferred material for custom architectural design.

GFRG has the same qualities that other popular building materials have without many of the disadvantages that those other materials can present, like higher expense, less consistently designed products, and more complicated installation processes. No matter what kind of custom architectural project is being undertaken, GFRG can be a valuable element in its completion.

Types of Products Made With GFRG

GFRG is often used as an alternative to materials like concrete and plaster casting for a variety of interior architectural elements, including:

  • GFRG Columns
  • GFRG Ceilings
  • GFRG Moldings
  • GFRG Domes
  • GFRG Trims
  • GFRG Reflectors
  • GFRG Access Panels, and more

GFRG products mimic the appearance of many other types of building materials as well as provide many functional advantages. For example, it can lower energy costs by better sealing off an attic. An access panel made of GFRG can also create a more polished, professional look by hiding an opening for plumbing fixtures, HVAC units and more and blending the area in with the rest of the wall or ceiling.