Fiberglass vs felt in CIPP rehabilitation

Fiberglass vs felt in CIPP rehabilitation

Not all liners used in CIPP rehabilitation have the same structural behavior. The two most common types are fiberglass (GRP) liners and felt liners, each with different characteristics and applications.

Understanding this difference is essential to selecting the appropriate solution and ensuring long-term performance.

Key differences between materials

Fiberglass and felt liners differ mainly in terms of structural strength, rigidity, and durability.

Fiberglass (GRP) offers:

• high mechanical strength

• defined structural behavior

• greater dimensional stability

• long-term durability

Felt liners offer:

• greater flexibility

• easier adaptation to irregular geometries

• more limited structural performance, depending on the system

• lower rigidity after curing

These differences directly influence how and where each solution is applied.

Structural rehabilitation vs lining

In practice, the choice of material is linked to the objective of the intervention.

Fiberglass liners are used for structural rehabilitation, creating a new pipe with load-bearing capacity and independent behavior.

Felt liners are used in certain applications where structural demands may be lower or vary depending on the system.

Typical applications

Fiberglass liners are particularly suitable for:

• structurally degraded vertical stacks

• buried pipelines

• branch lines requiring reinforcement

• situations where high durability is required

Felt liners may be used in specific contexts depending on pipe condition and project requirements.

Durability and performance

Fiberglass-based CIPP solutions typically provide an expected service life of 40 to 50 years, with high mechanical and chemical resistance.

The performance of felt liners may vary depending on the system and installation conditions.

Choosing the right solution

The choice between fiberglass and felt should always be based on a technical assessment of the pipeline, considering:

• structural condition of the pipe

• type of defects present

• length of the section to be rehabilitated

• operating conditions of the system

A correct decision ensures both effective repair and long-term reliability.

A technical decision, not just a material choice

More than the material itself, what matters is selecting the right solution for each case. CIPP technology allows different approaches, and the choice should be based on technical criteria rather than material alone.

Technical clarity in pipe rehabilitation

Understanding the difference between fiberglass and felt liners is essential in CIPP rehabilitation. This clarity allows for better decision-making and more consistent results.

If you want to evaluate the most suitable solution for your pipeline, we can assess your system and recommend the best approach.