What is the Difference Between Resin and Fibreglass Planters?

In both indoor and outdoor settings planters are a common sight, used to add a touch of design flair and greenery to a space. Home to your choice of plants, planters can be used to elevate the design of your house or place of business, and even act as living dividers between spaces.

There are, however, a few choices to be made when selecting your ideal planter, primary among which is what material you choose for your planter’s construction – fibreglass or resin.

It can be difficult to decide between fibreglass vs. resin planters, each has its pros and cons but as a supplier of both, Weather It is here to provide you with all the information to make the best possible decision.

Material Composition

Fibreglass garden planters are made using a combination of spun glass fibres and a polymer resin, resulting in an end product that is lightweight, durable and extremely low maintenance. They are commonly finished in automotive paints, giving a durable and easy-clean surface that can even be polished for an impressively clean look.

Resin planters are made from a synthetic material called polyethylene, which also provides a lightweight and durable finish for your planters. However, where fibreglass planters are painted, resin is a colour-through material like plastic, and is also completely recyclable, unlike fibreglass.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Fibreglass is a very tough material and has been used to construct everything from cars to boats for decades. Fibreglass outdoor planters are often finished using automotive-grade paints, which gives them a very durable finish that can be easily maintained with automotive or even boat polishes. Although weather resistant, it is important to understand how to take care of fibreglass planters in the winter.

This level of finish also means that it won’t fade or weather too readily and can be cleaned easily with just a damp cloth.

Resin planters are arguably more durable than fibreglass, and are non-porous, meaning they hold up extremely well against the elements. They are also made using a colour-through material, like most plastics, that doesn’t chip or damage easily.

The finish on outdoor resin planters is arguably not as clean as their fibreglass counterparts, however, so increased resistance and lifespan come at a cost.

Maintenance

Because fibreglass garden planters are finished with automotive paints, they are extremely easy to clean, and in most cases, a damp cloth will be plenty to restore a nice shine. Additionally, as mentioned, they can even be polished, and even colour-corrected if needed, using automotive or boat products.

Resin offers an even higher level of durability and can equally be cleaned very easily using warm, soapy water, but cannot be polished or corrected in the same way as fibreglass.

Design Options

Both resin and fibreglass are extremely mouldable and shapable materials, allowing for the creation of an almost infinite number of designs.

Outdoor resin planters are arguably better for more intricate or complex designs, but the higher level of finish quality of fibreglass outdoor planters means they often lend themselves better to larger designs that call for sleek surfaces.

Comparison

Weight

Fibreglass and resin planters both tip the scales at pretty nominal weights, with fibreglass being the heavier of the two, but by no means heavy, unless used in very large pieces.

This makes both good choices for designers, as they allow for creative placement and replacement over time.

Durability

Both materials are extremely durable options for planters and will take a beating from the elements with few marks to show for it. However, resin will give greater long-term resilience overall, but with a slightly lower quality finish. Whereas fibreglass will have a higher grade finish but won’t last quite as long.

Design Flexibility

Since resin is a form of plastic, it can be shaped into almost any design, no matter how intricate or complex, allowing for some impressive creative flexibility.

While fibreglass is formed of sheets adhered to each other and therefore less malleable, it does deliver a much cleaner finish and lends itself well to large, clean designs where surface quality matters more.

Resin and Fibreglass Outdoor Planters

At Weather It, we stock a range of hand-selected, premium fibreglass planters for outdoor and indoor use, available in a range of finishes from gloss to smooth matte and more. Head over to our online store to learn more and get yours today!

How to Choose Between Fibreglass and Resin Planters

It can be difficult to decide between fibreglass vs. resin planters for your home or business, as both are durable planters for outdoor use. If you prioritise longevity, then resin planters are an excellent choice, but if you are after a sleek modern design you may want to opt for fibreglass. Ultimately, your decision should be based on choosing the planter that complements your home best. The team at Weather It is happy to assist you with any enquiries on the ideal planter for your indoor space or garden, just fill out our contact form and a member of our helpful team will get back to you promptly.