WHAT’S ABOUT A REINFORCED
FLOOR WITH FIBERGLASS?

Do you really need an expensive reinforced fiberglass floor
in your trailer or intermodal containers?

Probably not. Here’s why

In the early 90’s, there were several laminated floor producers and not all of them had the know-how to properly produce laminated floors. Unfortunately, back then, several fleet companies experienced problems with their laminated floors.

During the same period, new needs emerged for higher ratings: instead of the usual 16 000 pound rating, 20 000 pound ratings and higher was requested. Unfortunately, several trailers were sold without having the proper capacity to sustain this higher rating and floor problems started to occur. The blame was put on the laminated hardwood floor and its capacity which in fact was not the problem.

Furthermore, the use of hook joints which have low fatigue resistance and allow water leakage
onto the trailer, did not help at all.

As a result, a false perception was created in the transport industry that wood itself
could not handle the job and the demand for reinforced fiberglass floors was born.

There are three main reasons why you are looking for
or currently using a reinforced fiberglass floor:

1. You want to increase the moisture protection of your floor.
2. You want a higher rating, such as 20 000 pounds or even higher.
3. You want to remove some weight from your trailer.

For these reasons, you believe that gluing fiberglass ply underneath the bottom of your floor is the right solution. The facts are that all these objectives can be achieved with a PROLAM floor at a fraction of the price of a reinforced fiberglass floor.

Moisture Protection

PROLAM does not use hook joints. Rather, we use a double knuckle joint, called ZigZag, which greatly reduces water leakage in the trailer through the floor boards. In addition, to protect the bottom of the floor from splashes of water and moisture, you do not need a 1/16 fiberglass sheet. Satisfying results can be reached with PROLAM’s PuR undercoat. It does not make sense to spend between $800 and $1,000 more for a laminated floor, when P•u•R will cost you half or less. What’s more: our floors include the WAXIN top protection, which you won’t get with a reinforced fiberglass floor style.

Higher Ratings

Higher ratings, such as the 20 000 pound TTMA rating or higher can be easily achieved with a PROLAM floor, thanks to its ZigZag joint technology. This innovative technology is exclusive to PROLAM—and again, at a fraction of the cost of a reinforced fiberglass floor style.

Weight Savings

The biggest myth about reinforced fiberglass floors is to make you believe that you’ll save a lot of weight by using it. The reality is the weight savings provided by a reinforced fiberglass floor is very small when compared to PROLAM solutions.

PROLAM can provide you solutions which are a lot more affordable than the use
of a reinforced fiberglass floor. Talk to our representative about your needs.