The Difference Between PVC and Acrylic

PVC or vinyl and acrylic are both common plastics that are used in interior, exterior, commercial, and industrial projects. But, what is the difference between PVC and acrylic? Provided below are some of the characteristics that separate one from the other.

What Is Acrylic?

Acrylic is a plexiglas or a transparent thermoplastic polymer. It is comparable to polycarbonate in a way since it can be used as impact resistant substitute to a glass. It was first made in 1928 and was made commercially available by Rohm and Haas Company. It was first used during the WWII for creating windows on airplanes, canopies, and periscopes for submarines.

Today, acrylic is used for a variety of purposes because of its amazing properties like transparency, availability, affordable price, and being light weight. This clear plastic is made into acrylic nails, LCD screens, medical devices, security barriers, lenses, and many more. Its clarity makes it an ideal material for making tanks, windows, and clear displays. Acrylic is available in different colors and a wonderful substitute for glass. If you are in search of a material, without any or low strength requirement, acrylic can be a good choice. There are also instances when acrylic is laminated above polycarbonate to get a final material that has the scratch resistant characteristic of acrylic and the strength of polycarbonate.

Acrylic is very useful for an application that do not require a material that is resistance to high impact. Compared to other plastics, it is not prone to scratching. It is also a lighter substitute to glass and an affordable alternative for polycarbonate for purposes where strength is not an issue. You can cut acrylic in finer shapes. It can last for several years because of its durability, recyclable content, easier maintenance routine, smooth finish, and safety characteristics.

What Is PVC?

PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride or vinyl, is one of the most economical types of plastic, which is being used for various purposes in today’s society. If you check the market today, you’ll see that PVC is used to make innumerable everyday things that range from PVC pipes for plumbing, toys, credit cards, and phonograph records. It is also used to manufacture rain gutters, doors, windows, PVC vinyl decking boards, faux leather, and even garden furniture.

Polyvinyl chloride became the first ever man-made product to be patented in 1913. It is available in two categories namely rigid and flexible. It undergoes one of the three emulsion processes. These are suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, and bulk polymerization.

Understanding PVC Decking Material For Your Deck Project

PVC decking material does not contain wood fibers unlike composites, which are also very popular in the decking industry. It is a bit more expensive than composite wood but many people consider this additional expense as an investment. PVC is very durable and strong. It is also recyclable, resistant to staining, fading, and rotting. If you find and choose the right materials and supplier for your deck project like Futurewood, then your PVC deck will look just like it did when you first had it installed.

However, you should also note that when this product is exposed to heat or direct sunlight, it can get extremely hot. If subjected to extreme temperature changes, the PVC boards you use on your deck project can expand or contract. When this happens constantly, the stability of your deck might be affected.

The best PVC decking material is truly extraordinary. It is slip resistant and has a super resilient surface. PVC decking features a sturdy co-extruded surface that is bonded to its core in order to make boards that are easy to work with, lightweight, and hardwearing. It can withstand dents, moisture, heavy foot traffic, UV rays, varying weather conditions, and even fire.

In terms of its maintenance, PVC products require easy and minimal cleaning and maintenance. It does not need painting, staining, or finishing. You can keep the PVC boards looking their best by simply cleaning them with water and a mild detergent annually.

Final Thoughts

PVC is a type of decking material that has attracted the attention of many avid DIYers, as well as professional builders and contractors. A lot of companies are manufacturing PVC featuring an amazing design, varying size, different color, all for a cost that is easy on the budget. Be sure to choose a brand that has a good reputation for providing top quality PVC materials that can be used for various applications including printing, window installation, and construction. By doing so, you can be sure that

Please contact Futurewood if you are interested in using a PVC decking material for your project. Call us now. Our team is always ready to help. Plus, our website offers news and informative resources that you might find interesting.