Why Fiberglass Composite Light Poles Could Be Your Best Choice

 

Expanding Choices- Aluminum, Steel, Iron

You have many materials to choose from when selecting light poles for your project. Early light poles were restricted largely to cast iron and steel, and those heavy metals are still in use today, steel in particular. However, with the advent of aluminum, due to its light weight, non-rusting characteristics, and flexibility, it has become a much more common material, particularly in decorative light poles. But even aluminum has its challenges; corrosion, pits, and discoloration all degrade these light poles over the long haul. Aluminum may look beautiful for the first few years, weather and the elements, and in particular salt, quickly impacts the finish causing corrosion and loss of surface finish.

Stone & Concrete

Concrete and other “stone” products are also common, particularly in the south and west where those materials work visually with the landscape, and they are quite durable and long-lasting. Unfortunately, they are also extremely heavy and a great challenge to transport and install. Cost may also be prohibitive as sources of material and shipping distances can quickly inflate budgets.

Fiberglass Composite & What the Boat Industry Learned

Then came the advent of composite materials, i.e., fiberglass and resin. The boating industry was an early adopter of fiberglass for boat hulls because of the light weight, flexibility, weather resistance and ability to be cleaned. Eventually, all surfaces of boats (outside of heavy commercial use) tended toward fiberglass as the longest-lasting, most pristine material requiring the least amount of care. Perhaps due to the nautical applications and resulting experience, adoption of fiberglass along the coast for light poles was swift.

Advantages of Fiberglass Composite Light Poles

High Wind Resistance

Hurricanes and extreme weather conditions including salt air nearly “require” the use of fiberglass composites. The strength against sheer, durability over many years in adverse conditions, mean that fiberglass light poles will outlast and outshine all other options in areas impacted by salt, storms, and heavy winds.

Resist Corrosion

Composite light poles cannot rust, corrode, pit or otherwise suffer the problems to which metals are prone. Properly made, composites will outlast metal poles and retain their finish far longer.

Non-Conductive

Further, composite materials are non-conductive so do not represent the potential safety hazard from any electrical short-circuiting with metal poles.

Cost Effective

With materials that are widely available and manufacturing processes that are less intensive, the cost to manufacture high quality fiberglass light poles is typically well below similar aluminum or other materials. The light weight of fiberglass poles also means cost savings on shipping and installing.

Decorative Applications

Composites excel in decorative light poles for municipal applications, corporate and educational campuses and a wide variety of commercial parking area and other applications. You can select a surface resin to “match” the finish color of the pole and provide a smooth surface with no fiberglass strands or matting exposed,

It is interesting to note, however, that despite all the advantages of fiberglass, it’s adoption is still primarily coastal. Habits and norms are hard to break, and steel and aluminum still hold a place in many applications where composites would be a superior choice. While cost is also perceived to be a factor, quality composite poles can still be competitive with, and often better than, it’s metal competition, not to mention shorts lead times. Given the chance, composite offerings quickly become the material of choice by many of those in the outdoor lighting industry. The beauty and durability of fiberglass composites will continue to win out over time.