Plastic VS Fiberglass Boxes

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Any opinions out there regarding the use of fiberglass device boxes in residential construction? I've always used plastic, ie Carlon or Slater but a job I've just been awarded is requesting the Allied Molded fiberglass type. I know the fire rating is greater but are there any other advantages?

 

[james wuebker]

To me fiberglass boxes keep their original shape better than plastic boxes. Also to me if you need to re-tap thread hole it's easier to do so with a fiberglass box.
Jim

 

[bikeindy]

They break easier when you come in after someone didn't wire a ceiling light outlet in a bedroom and you want to get a two gang remodel box in so you can switch the fan and light separate. They also break real easy if you hit the box instead of the nail. I don't care for them much except for the first reason.

 

[raider1]

I agree with bikeindy,

I just used 100 of them that I got by accident (I usually use the plastic) so I decided to give them a try. I found that they break very easy. They do hold their shape better, but never found a real problem with the plastic boxes.

In closing I wouldn't use them again unless I needed the reduced separation in a firewall that the fiberglass boxes allow.

Chris

 

[tonyi]

The sharp edged internal clamps always annoy me. :lol:

 

[james wuebker]

Maybe I use different fiberglass boxes. The boxes I use are very thick and if you hit them they don't break that easy. I have used some before that are thinner have do break easy. But I have used plastic boxes and they work fine also. I believe you can't pick wrong here.
Jim

 

[tkb]

I used some of the fiberglass old work boxes for paddle fan speed controls last year. I removed them and used the PVC boxes instad.

I thought that the fiberglass would be better, but I found that they had less room in the box after you used the silly speed clamp and the speed control wouldn't fit in the box with the wires.

I think the PVC boxes are just fine. I would be careful with multi gang PVC boxes in new work though. I have seen many deformed boxes from bad drywallers.

 

[77401]

I prefer plastic for new work. Pay a little more for the 22.0 Cubic inch SG nail-ons
But never use Plastic or Glass for Old work, only metal gangable for old work

 

[peter d]

I hate them all. But if I had to pick it would be Carlon for single gangs and rounds, and Union (the ones that are the color of dog poop) for everything else.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

If you requested them i would demand a waver from there problems.They are garbage.
If they were free i would not use them.

 

[JohnE]

If you requested them i would demand a waver from there problems.They are garbage.
If they were free i would not use them.

I feel the same way!

About plastic :wink:

I'll only use the T & B (formerly union) that Peter described, or Allied fiberglass.