Foam PVC sheets also called foam PVC boards are rigid foam boards achieved by foaming PVC resin with the help of a foaming agent. Also, these boards are lightweight but highly resistant and are progressing to be adopted for different construction needs. Below are some of the main advantages, which show why PVC foam boards are suitable for using in the construction industry.
Durability and Longevity
The durability and overall lifespan of these PVC foam boards are one of its biggest strengths. Due to its closed cell structure the foam is very strong and rigid to allow it to undergo the test of exposure, water absorption, and other wears during construction activities as well as after the products have been installed in different projects. Even the primary material, PVC, is a highly durable plastic that does not degrade easily when exposed to the elements or subjected to rusting. Compared to wood material, PVC foam boards will not easily degrade, crack or swell when it will be exposed to steam and humidity. The boards can have an expected life of twenty years or more hence making it one of the best investments that the construction business can embark on.
Weather and Moisture Resistance
Another great benefit of PVC foam boards is that they are extremely weather resistant and are waterproof due to the closed cell foam structure as well as a waterproof PVC skin. In essence, when the boards have been well sealed and well installed, they form a water shield that is able to effectively keep moisture and all forms of water out, as well as other associated problems such as mold formation. They are capable of protecting building interiors from fluctuations in temperatures, humidity, and even rain. This makes the boards ideal for exterior uses such as exterior wall sheathing, cladding, and soffits, or canopies and wet area applications indoors such as bathrooms. It is important to note that foam PVC does not expand or contract as much with temperature changes as wood or other materials that are used for construction.
“Material that is light but strong The specified material should be light in weight but also strong in terms of the structure.”
PVC foam boards are light in weight to compare with wood panels, gypsum boards, concrete boards and other construction materials. A standard 8’ x 4’ x 1” of PVC cost relatively cheaper than that of the plywood; yet, the latter has a higher density, it weighs approximately 15 pounds while the plywood one weighs over 50 pounds. However, given their lightweight nature, PVC foam boards boast significant dimensional stability and strength, primarily due to the highly durable and closed cell foam. The strength-to-weight ratio also has benefits for transportation, storage, and application of PVC sheets and may help take some loads off the framing system. The lightweight boards also have another added advantage of floating on water. PVC foam has major advantages in locations where less structure weight is desirable such as high rise construction or in constructions like marine docks or float.
Ease of Installation
These PVC foam boards are easily workable with simple carpentry tools and available hardware such as screwdrivers, drillers, and hammers, screws, bolts, and nails. This makes it possible to achieve neat joints, and minimal sanding of edges or faces of boards, panels among others. These boards can be painted and laminated through adhesives as and when required without necessarily requiring any special primers. PVC foam boards normally hang just like wooden boards with the help of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, tread or channel. The PVC foam has a low density and is relatively easy to work with which results in quicker installation times in comparison to other construction materials. This is beneficial in terms of having a positive effect in construction of project schedules and labor expenses. They are also easy to install, meaning that retrofitting or replacement of pvc boards and panels is child’s play.
Cost Effectiveness
PVC foam boards are virtually equal to plywood, OSB and timber in strength, stability and weatherproofing and are, therefore, much cheaper. It is a manufactured product; therefore, it does not follow the fluctuations that are common with woody and steel products. It is cheaper since its price is competitive than other building products; and, due to fewer maintenances or replacements in the long run, it is cheaper per life cycle. PVC foam board also brings down transportation, shipping, and handling expenses and reduces stress on load-bearing and supportive structures in comparison to traditional materials of comparable sturdiness. In summary, foam PVC has several advantages over other construction materials in terms of costs and work.
Design Versatility
Foam PVC boards are available in different grades of density and flexibility to match the specific performance characteristics. Through the variation in sizes, thickness, and finishes, architects and builders have freedom in their choice of a material that cannot be afforded in other broader materials such as the dry wall or concrete. Boards can be further sliced or piled up, bent, tilted or otherwise shaped in order to produce specific patterns on the boards. They also make excellent bases for laminates, veneers, stucco, tiles, stones, and other forms of facial finish to suit people’s artistic imaginations. The use of painting, digital printing and carving of PVC boards also permits the variation of appearances.
Chemical and Corrosion Resistance
Apart from resistance to weather conditions, PVC foam also has extraordinary resistance to salts, acids, bases, organic solvents and other corrosive agents that harm building products and structures during their life cycle. This means PVC does not soften, melt or discolour on exposure to heat, light, chemicals or humidity like other plastics and wood panels may, making it ideal where established organic materials will not stand up to the environment or be corrosive, such as cooling tower linings, laboratory bench tops, many chemical plants and the like. As for the sustenance types, the inert foam PVC also does not offer the nutrients that mold or fungi require.
Environmental Sustainability
Changes in PVC technology and formulas in production process have seen this material gain a better face in its environmental impact in the recent past. PVC had issues with chlorine content and additives in the past, however now PVC mainly deals with less hazardous materials. They include; It has low or no content of hazardous phthalates or lead and; Low emissions of volatile organic compounds. The PVC foam board manufacturing process of today also incorporates renewable energy and bio based plasticisers too. A PVC is one of the most recyclable materials and the PVC foam is lighter and requires fewer fossil fuels during the whole lifecycle compared to the heaviest counterparts. Specialty PVC foam can be in the form of PVC foam with recycled content or one that has been approved for sustainability through certifications such as BES 6001.
Fire Resistance and Safety
Appropriate PVC foam boards should have fire retardant additives that are incorporated in the manufacturing process as they delay fire ignition and limit flame propagation. PVC foam passed the fire, smoke, and flammability tests for building materials compliant with Class A, B and C. The fire performance enables them to be applied in various construction projects especially those that may be prone to a fire breakout. Moreover, no poisonous products are released into the atmosphere when PVC is incinerated as it is the case with some plastics and foam insulation materials. In addition to fire, PVC foam boards pose little risk to human health in terms of off-gassing or emissions of deleterious chemicals unlike materials containing volatile components in the adhesive, binder or preservative. Some of the several benefits of System4’s products include their non-toxic nature hence promoting healthy buildings.
Conclusion
Using PVC foam boards gives numerous performance enhancements and cost effectiveness that makes the use of such products superior to conventional building products in several construction functions. In external and internal applications such as exterior cladding and interior fit-outs, PVC foam boards possess durability, weatherability, lightweight strength and environmental sustainability and health safety benefits. The PVC foam boards are therefore characterised by an endless array of material and aesthetic possibilities so that these boards can be used in ways that are suitable to the ever changing building design and performance requirements while offering long-term value for the construction industry. The advantages that are associated with them makes them a new construction staple to the future that builders should consider.
