Who Is Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™

Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ (AFI) custom designs and manufactures decorative Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) ornamentation for the restoration, reproduction and new construction industries. Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ has had over 20 years of success manufacturing, designing and installing fiberglass products. In 1999 the company opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Ohio. Along with custom work, the company currently has thousands of reusable stock molds. Stock products include columns, cornice, balusters, balustrades, cupolas, domes, crosses, fascia panels, finials, moldings, louvers, pilasters, sculptures, and other simulated building materials.

Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ provides customers with designs, drawings, patterns, molds and fiberglass parts. Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ manufactures decorative ornamentation composites requiring exact specifications with unlimited repetition and is only limited by the scope of the designer's imagination. Excellent physical properties and molding capabilities make fiberglass especially suitable for interior and exterior architectural ornamentation.

The Beginning of Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™

Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ originally specialized in the manufacture of fiberglass domes and cupolas for commercial and religious institutions. The company was founded when the owner was faced with the dilemma of replacing badly deteriorated and fading aluminium domes on his own religious institution. After thorough research of different materials it was determined that fiberglass would be the best suitable material for the aluminium dome replacement. When the company was founded, not many other companies wanted to manufacture and erect such massive dome and cupola structures. Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ has since become a leader in dome and cupola replacements. Throughout the years, Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ has manufactured domes and cupolas that have spanned in excess of 40 feet in diameter and have had heights that exceed 60 feet.

Other Uses of Fiberglass (FRP)

Throughout the years Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) has become a fast growing industry with a limitless amount of architectural applications. Cornice moldings, columns, balustrades, and baluster systems, have become some of the most popular uses of fiberglass. Cornices manufactured with FRP do not require heavy steel supports or structural rehabilitation of the attachment areas on a building. Cornices can be manufactured to replicate most finishes including terra cotta, cast stone, marble, granite, copper, steel and wood. Fiberglass cornice is very practical when compared with the material, maintenance and installation cost of other traditional materials. In addition to new construction, fibrglass cornice is widely used for restoration of old cornices made from terra cotta or cast stone.

Fiberglass columns, balustrades and baluster systems are another popular application for the use of FRP in architecture. Columns, balustrades, and baluster systems are now manufactured as load-bearing to hold substantial weight or as column covers to wrap around structural supports. Ornamental column capitals and bases reproduce ancient Roman and Greek architecture. Improved fiberglass molding techniques allow for fine detail and craftmanship seen in columns, capitals and balusters. Technological advances such as new finishes that better simulate traditional materials make FRP nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.

Architectural Fiberglass, Inc.™ has recognized the use of FRP in all phases of construction. We now have the task of informing and educating contractors, architects and developers the benefits of fiberglass. At this time there is no clear long-term life expectation of fiberglass. This is because fiberglass products have been installed on buildings for more than 50 years with no significant sign of deterioration. Perhaps in another 50 years we can give you better answers.