As cities grow denser and extreme weather events become more frequent, effective drainage systems have become critical to urban infrastructure. You may wonder why more and more municipalities are moving away from traditional cast iron or concrete covers and turning to FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic). From the perspective of a professional supplier, this article breaks down why FRP trench covers have become the go-to solution for modern cities and explores their key advantages and real-world value.

Core Advantages of FRP Trench Covers

High Drainage Efficiency and Lightweight Design: Boosting Urban Infrastructure Performance

Let’s begin with drainage performance and installation efficiency. Urban flooding caused by intense short-term rainfall is a growing concern. Our FRP grating is designed with a high water-flow rate—meaning the opening ratio and drainage structure are optimized to discharge large volumes of water quickly and minimize flood risks.

Another critical benefit is lightweight construction. Traditional concrete trench covers can weigh over 40 kg each, while our FRP covers weigh only about a quarter of that. This translates to:

• Less labor and equipment needed
• Faster installation
• Shorter road closure times

For example, during a road improvement project in a Taichung residential area, switching to FRP covers reduced total construction time by about 30%. Workers even commented, “One person can install it easily,” showing how its lightweight design can significantly improve project efficiency.

Corrosion Resistance and Longevity: A Truly “Set It and Forget It” Solution

Trench covers in urban environments face long-term exposure to rain, oil, chemicals, and pollution. Traditional materials like steel often rust and become brittle, while concrete is prone to cracking from temperature changes and pressure.

FRP stands out with:

• High corrosion resistance – It doesn’t deteriorate from moisture or chemicals
• UV and weather resistance – It stays stable even under constant sun and rain
• Over 30 years of service life – Far outlasting traditional materials

We implemented a full FRP cover system for a wharf in Kaohsiung Port. Despite harsh salt spray and tidal conditions, inspections five years later showed the covers remained in excellent condition, requiring virtually no maintenance. FRP's long-term durability translates into significant maintenance cost savings for cities.

Integrated System Benefits: Base Structure Matters

Stable Resin Concrete Bases: A Complete System Is the Real Solution

A high-quality cover means little without a solid base to support it. That’s where resin concrete base systems come in.

Our modular resin concrete bases seamlessly integrate with the FRP gratings, ensuring:

• Structural stability with no shifting or loosening
• High compressive strength—suitable for both pedestrian and vehicular areas
• Flexibility to handle ground movement and temperature changes

In one industrial park in New Taipei City, our full system of resin concrete bases and FRP gratings solved long-standing problems of cover "bouncing" and standing water caused by uneven pavement. The client told us: “We finally stopped needing constant repairs every other week!”

Conclusion: Improving Urban Safety and Efficiency—One Trench Cover at a Time

From exceptional drainage and lightweight handling to corrosion resistance and seamless system integration, FRP trench covers are clearly the ideal material for modern urban infrastructure. Whether it’s sidewalks, parking lots, city roads, or industrial sites, FRP offers a safer, more durable, and easier-to-maintain drainage solution.

All Leader as a long-time supplier of FRP materials, we don’t just sell products—we work with you from design and installation to maintenance, delivering a solution tailored to your real-world needs. If you're facing aging drainage systems, limited maintenance budgets, or planning an infrastructure upgrade, it’s time to rethink material choices—let FRP be your city's reliable backbone.

Learn more at https://www.all-leader.com/contact