What is PVC?

Polyvinyl chloride or 'PVC' is a modern synthetic material and an important member of the extensive polymers 'family'.

Formed from two natural resources - salt (57 per cent) and oil (43 per cent) - PVC was one of the earliest plastics to be developed commercially. Now it is among the most widely used, with an enormous variety of applications in modern life, from children's toys to pipes, window profiles, cables and blood bags. In 1996, world consumption amounted to an estimated 23.3 million tones, of which 5.21 million tones was in Western Europe.

Overview of what makes PVC important for building and construction

PVC makes a major contribution to the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of construction materials, as well as contributing to lower environmental impacts of completed projects.

PVC is the most important polymer used in building and construction applications.

Construction Design

PVC is versatile to meet modern and future design needs.

PVC - The Facts

PVC is a very appropriate material to use in the construction industry:

• It is strong, durable but lightweight and easy to install.
• It is non-toxic.
• PVC is recyclable.
• In its lifecycle it has been found to have a more favorable eco-balance than competitive materials in many applications.
• PVC has low energy demand in manufacture and longevity in service; therefore it is a cost-effective material to use in both economic and environmental terms.

PVC Used In Construction Applications Is Safe

• PVC meets all international standards for safety and health for the products and applications for which it is used.
• It has been used for more than half a century and is the world's most researched and thoroughly tested plastic.

PVC Used In Construction Applications Is Environmentally Sound

• Comparatively low energy and resource use in production, as well as in conversion to finished products.
• Lifecycle analyses have shown that PVC is a very competitive and environmentally acceptable material.
• As a thermoplastic, PVC can be recycled, after it has been sorted into a single material stream and can also play its part in mixed plastics recycling.
• At the end of a product's useful life, if not recycled, it can be safely incinerated or deposited in landfill.
• PVC building products are lighter than those made of concrete, iron or steel. This requires less fuel and generates fewer emissions during transportation.
• PVC products are durable, so frequent replacement is unnecessary.
• Good thermal insulation of windows and cladding helps to increase the energy efficiency of buildings.

PVC Used In Construction Applications Is Cost-Effective

• PVC building products are durable and tough at reasonable cost.
• PVC products can be mass produced.
• Its light weight strength and design flexibility bring cost benefits for many applications.
• PVC is competitive, in terms of price, compared with other materials used in building and construction.
• PVC is durable and is very suitable for long-lasting and maintenance-free applications.
• Its fire retarding properties make it the most suitable material for a range of safety applications such as cables.

Uses Of PVC In Building And Construction

• Wiring and cable insulation.
• Window and door profiles.
• Pipes and ducts.
• Cladding and roofing membranes.
• Flooring.
• Wall coverings.

Applications

Window And Door Profiles

One of the major uses of rigid PVC in construction is profiles for u- PVC Windows & Doors . The alternatives to PVC for window frames are wood, aluminium and steel. Various ecobalances have been undertaken to compare the materials used in window profiles. These have shown that PVC occupies a good ecological balance. In terms of energy consumption, studies give the lowest value for wood and the highest for aluminium.