The Features & Benefits of uPVC

uPVC (also known by its full name – un-plasticised poly vinyl chloride), is a lightweight, synthetic polymer often used in construction. By adding plasticisers, you make the material softer and more flexible – we call this material PVC. Without the plasticisers, you get uPVC (or rigid PVC). uPVC is a popular material in window frames as well as modern plumbing and drainage. uPVC has certain features that make it an ideal material for roofline installations such as fascia boards, soffits, windows, and guttering.

Below are some of the features (the qualities of the material) and benefits (how these features practically help us) you get with uPVC…

 

Feature: uPVC is a synthetic material

Benefit: it’s low maintenance

In comparison to natural materials, uPVC is very low maintenance. Due to its smooth, waterproof finish, uPVC is really easy to clean with soap and water. It’s less susceptible to weather damage and won’t rot. When used for outdoor purposes, other materials can need constant upkeep to prevent them deteriorating over time (such as varnishing and repainting). This makes uPVC guttering a great option in comparison with cast iron drainpipes – which can peel – making them look unsightly until you get around to repainting them. uPVC won’t need repainting, varnishing, or retreating – it’s seriously low-maintenance. For this reason, uPVC can also be a cost-effective choice, too…

 

Feature: uPVC is very durable

Benefit: it’s cost effective and reliable

It seems like a simple idea, but it bears repeating: if a material is stronger and more durable, you won’t have to replace it as often – and (most importantly) this will save you money! No one wants their fascia crumbling, their cladding rotting, or their guttering falling down. uPVC is great for all seasons and is a perfect, weather-resistant material to withstand rain, wind, ice, snow, and fallen leaves. It’s impervious to water which makes it useful at the roofline for preventing damp. It’s really light and has a small enough amount of flexibility that it won’t crack under pressure or quick changes in temperature. uPVC coating is also resistant to UV rays so its colour won’t fade like other materials.

 

Feature: uPVC can be manufactured in different colours and designs

Benefit: you can pick an attractive design to suit your style

Advances in the manufacturing process mean uPVC no longer limits you to white. It comes in a wide variety of colours, making it an extra versatile choice for home designs. This is what makes uPVC a great fascia board material! It looks great and you can customise it to suit the aesthetic of your property. Better yet – the manufacturing of synthetic polymers has reached the point where uPVC with wood-imitation effects makes a pretty convincing wood substitute; to the eye alone, it often looks indistinguishable from the real thing.

 

Feature: uPVC is an insulating material

Benefit: this will help minimise heat loss from your property

This is the main reason for the use of uPVC in window frames. Using uPVC helps to create a closed air system which will boost the energy efficiency of your property, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. While choosing this material is prudent when installing windows, heat loss from your roof is also a major factor to consider when making your property more efficient, so having an expertly fitted uPVC roofline will benefit you immensely in your efforts to do this.

 

Feature: uPVC is fire retardant

Benefit: it’s a safe material to use in the home

Safety is a major factor when choosing materials for your home designs. In comparison with other materials, uPVC is approved by building regulators as a totally safe material to use in your windows, roofline, and guttering. In the event of a fire, the material won’t contribute to helping it spread.

 

Feature: uPVC is made using recycled materials

Benefit: it’s more eco-friendly

Much of the uPVC produced for construction comes from recycled materials and it can be recycled again at the end of its lifespan. While you might think that using polymers should be avoided altogether for the sake of the environment, the average lifespan of uPVC products for home designs is far longer than other materials. So, when you consider the fact that it doesn’t need replacing far as often, it doesn’t need any chemical treatments or paint to maintain, and can be recycled when you want to replace it – uPVC is actually a more eco-friendly option than other materials.

 

On top of all these benefits – uPVC is often cheaper than its alternatives…

It’s good to bear in mind that uPVC fascia, uPVC soffit boards, uPVC windows, and uPVC guttering are great options when you’re thinking about refurbishing your roofline, especially if you’re on a budget. That’s why we specialise in the best-quality, maintenance-free uPVC roofline products here at Roofline Design, all installed with a 20-year guarantee for your peace of mind.

 

Get in touch today for a no-obligation quote.