Do you have a project in mind but have no idea where to start?  Let us help you.  One of the first things you will want to do is decide what kind of fiberglass you want to use.  Do you need to build up thickness fast?  Are you concerned about strength? Do you have tight corners you are working with?  Let us break things down a bit to help you decide if fiberglass cloth is right for your project or if you are needing chopped strand mat. Keep in mind that you can actually use both together to achieve your desired outcome. Below is an overview.

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Fiberglass Cloth

(Plain weave fiberglass cloth)

Fiberglass Clothis a woven fabric. Plain, 4 harness satin and 8 harness satin are the weave styles we carry. The 4, 6 and 10 ounce plain weave fabrics are the most commonly used. In this simple plain weave pattern, warp and fill yarns are interlaced over and under each other in alternating fashion. The plain weave is the easiest to handle since it does not unravel as much as the other weaves when cut.

In the four-harness satin weave pattern there is a three by one interfacing where a filling yarn floats over three warp yarns and under one.

The eight harness satin is similar to the four harness satin except that one filling yarn floats over seven warp yarns and under one. The satin weaves are slightly stronger and more pliable than the plain weave and are easier to conform to curved surfaces. They are more difficult to handle than the plain weave, though. Use fiberglass cloth when you are looking to create a strong, light weight product.

Chopped Strand Mat

Chopped Strand Mat (also known as fiberglass mat) has short strands of fibers held together with a resin binder. The fibers are randomly oriented. Mat is only compatible with polyester and vinyl ester resin. When resin is added to the mat, the binder dissolves and the fibers can be moved around. It is easier to conform mat to tight curves and corners than it is with weaved fabric. The reason chopped strand mat is not compatible with epoxy resin is because the binder holding the fibers together needs styrene to properly dissolve.  Polyester and vinyl ester resins have styrene in them. (There are some places that sell chopped strand mat that is compatible with epoxy but it is hard to come by and much more expensive). Chopped strand mat is the least expensive fiberglass and is often used in mold construction or projects where thickness is needed. Mat is often used as the first layer (before the gelcoat) in a laminate to prevent print through. Print through is when the fabric weave texture shows through the resin. Chopped Strand mat does not have much strength. If you need strength you should choose a woven cloth or you could mix the two. Mat can be used between layers of woven fabric to help build thickness quickly and aid in all layers bonding well together.

For info on more fiberglass reinforcements and resin, check out our Ultimate Fiberglass and Resin Guidebook for Beginners.

For more detailed information on each fiberglass cloth we carry, you can CLICK HERE.

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Whether you're a hobbyist working on RC projects or a professional in the boat and aerospace industries, understanding the differences in fiberglass cloth can empower your next project. This article breaks down fiberglass cloth into four main categories: lightweight fabrics commonly used for RC projects and as surface fabric, medium weight fabrics ideal for surfboards, sailboats, kayaks, and general-purpose applications, heavier weight fiberglass designed for robust requirements in boat building and marine and aerospace fiberglass fabrics.

Join us as we explore each type of fiberglass fabric, highlighting their key features, common applications, and why choosing the right type can make all the difference in the performance of your projects. Alongside explanations, we have included photos that showcase the unique characteristics of each fiberglass cloth type as well as providing a closer look.

Fiberglass Info

Fiberglass cloth, also known as fiberglass fabric, is an excellent choice when you are looking for a strong, light weight part.

All of our fabrics must be used with a resin system (polyester, vinyl ester or epoxy) to create a composite part. The fiberglass is what gives any part it&#;s strength. It is used in a great variety of applications.  Boats, bathtubs, wind turbines, RC, surfboards, kayaks, canoes, aerospace . The list could go on and on.

The fabrics we have can be separated into 4 popular categories-

1. RC
2. Boat/marine
3. Aerospace
4. Surfboard

Keep in mind that these different fabrics are not limited in their category.  They can be used in a variety of projects.

For more information, please visit fiberglass mat for sale.

Lightweight RC/ Surfacing Fiberglass

The RC cloth is style #106 and #108,

Style #106 is a .75 oz. cloth. It is very lightweight and most often used on model airplanes. Because it is so lightweight, it can be tricky to use. You will want to use protective latex gloves or some other kind of smooth gloves. Any kind of skin tag will catch on the fabric. Style #106 is stronger than mylar. You don&#;t want to use it on anything requiring strength though.

Style #108 is another RC cloth. It is 1.5 oz. You will still need to be careful when working with this fabric but it is stronger than the .75 oz.

Medium Weight Surfboard/ Sailboat Fiberglass

Style # and # are our most common surfboard cloths.  They can also be used on canoes, kayaks and boats

Style # is a nice, smooth 4oz. cloth. Surfboard hobbyists use it to coat foam core.  It can also be used as a surfacing layer. It creates a clear, transparent laminate when saturated with resin.  This cloth wets out easily.

Style # is a 5.6oz., aka sailboat cloth. This cloth is typically used on surfboards and general purpose projects.

Aerospace Fiberglass

Style #120 and # are mainly used in the aerospace industry.

Style #120 is 3.2 oz. It is a 1:6 scale cloth for RC airplanes. You want to use this fabric when strength is needed. It is used on RC racing planes that go up to 140mph. This style is aerospace grade.

Style # is an 8.9oz., four harness satin weave. Four harness means there is a three by one interfacing where a filling yarn floats over three warp yarns and under one. This weave conforms to curved surfaces. It is aerospace grade and is the second most popular aerospace cloth behind style #120.

Styles and fall in the boat/marine category.

Heavier Weight Boat/ Marine/ General Purpose Fiberglass

Style # is a 7.5oz. cloth. It is more commonly known as an 8oz. cloth. It is a  popular boat cloth. It is a plain weave and is stronger and sturdier than the 6oz. It is often used for waterproofing boat decks.

Style # is the most popular general purpose fabric and also a great boat making cloth.  It is widely used in the fiberglass industry. It is good for making molds. It is typically used after the mat layer in a mold.  It gives it strength. It is also used in boat construction and repair.

We also carry fiberglass tape in widths from 1&#; to 12&#;.  They are 50 yard rolls.  They have selvage edges that keep it from un-raveling. They do not have an adhesive backing.  Just like our regular fabrics, they are meant to be used with resin. Our tapes work great on smaller applications and if you will be winding. They are also often used on glass seams and in repair work.

All of our fabrics are pretty easy to handle. Remember you will want to pick the best weight of fabric for your project but you will also want it to be strong enough.

For information on even more reinforcements and resin, check out our Ultimate Fiberglass and Resin Guidebook.

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