PVC trim is made from a type of plastic. This plastic is difficult to produce and gives off harmful VOCs both during its manufacturing and after its installation, for up to 5 years.
Is PVC trim durable?
Builders like cellular PVC trim for a lot of reasons. It’s lightweight, durable, and waterproof. You don’t have to paint it; but it holds paint well. But there is one drawback: plastic trim doesn’t move because of moisture the way wood does, but it does move because of temperature.
Is PVC trim any good?
The benefits of using cellular PVC trim in building projects is that PVC won’t chip, crack, cup, or bow, and it won’t rot or be prone to insect infestation. Cellular PVC also doesn’t absorb moisture, so it’s an excellent choice for areas of a construction project that may come into contact with the ground.
How long do PVC boards last?
thirty-five years
Long life: According to the Building Research Establishment, PVC products can provide service for as long as thirty-five years! [1] That is way more than what wood or any other material could offer. Even after a few decades of being installed, these boards usually remain as good as new.
Is PVC trim better than wood?
Plastic is definitely cheaper than wood. While plastic molding won’t rot or mildew, it is very brittle and not very forgiving. You’ll waste more in installation due to breakage. You have to pre-drill every nail hole because even thin finishing nails driven directly into it will cause it to break.
Is PVC Trim good for outdoor use?
The applications are similar to wood, except it won’t rot, crack, cup, split or warp like wood and its resistive to termites and wood boring insects. PVC trim is naturally white throughout, which makes it an excellent choice for trim on the outside of your home.
Is PVC trim mold resistant?
PVC cuts and is installed the same as wood but won’t rot, chip, splinter or warp. It stands up to weather, bugs and especially mold. PVC trim still calls for caulking like wood but doesn’t require paint although it can be painted.You can find mold-resistant trim for interior or exterior applications.
Can you nail through PVC trim?
Fastening your PVC Trim Boards
Stainless steel screws with small finish heads are the best choice for your house trim exterior. You can also use galvanized hot-dipped nails, but there is a possibility that they may corrode and stain the PVC trim over time.
Should I use PVC trim in bathroom?
PVC trim is waterproof. It’s just like the white water pipes used for plumbing in lots of homes. It’s nearly indestructible, but it can be cut and nailed just like ordinary molding.For all intents and purposes, quarter-round PVC trim is the best option for showers.
What are the disadvantages of PVC?
What are the Disadvantages of Polyvinyl Chloride?
- Polyvinyl Chloride has very poor heat stability. For this reason, additives that stabilize the material at higher temperatures are typically added to the material during production.
- Polyvinyl Chloride emits toxic fumes when melted or subject to a fire.
Is PVC trim board waterproof?
Thermal Expansion
PVC trim is made from a honeycomb, cellular structure of polyvinyl chloride. The honeycomb makeup of the product means that it’s completely impervious to moisture, even when cut.
Can you screw into PVC board?
The PVC will be soft enough to be formed into threads but hard enough for the threads to hold. Fill in the screw holes using wood putty, caulk or other material, if desired. Wood putty will offer a smooth, paintable finished surface that hides all evidence of the screw.
Is PVC good for baseboard?
A plastic form of baseboard trim, PVC comes in different looks that resemble wood or paint. PVC holds up well to water damage, but when damaged by contact, is nearly impossible to be repaired and requires being replaced.
Can you bend PVC trim?
PVC trim has the ability to bend, allowing it to be used in many types of installation situations. Homeowners can perform the bending technique easily. Follow standard safety procedures. The heat used to bend the trim can be extremely dangerous.
Should PVC trim be primed before painting?
Does PVC trim require a primer? A primer is only needed if you want the paint manufacturer’s warranty. Excellent adhesion can be achieved by properly cleaning the board before applying a topcoat of paint to PVC trim.
Is PVC cheaper than wood?
Generally, your choices will be wood, composite, and cellular PVC decking. The first difference that you’ll probably notice is that wood is typically the least expensive, composite the second and cellular PVC the most expensive.
What is PVC trim board used for?
Cellular PVC trim is like wood and is used to make trimboards, sheets and specialty millwork. It can be used instead of wood or wood-substitute trim in non-load bearing applications. Cellular PVC can be cut, milled, shaped and routed like wood with normal woodworking tools.
Does PVC trim expand and contract?
PVC trim boards will expand and contract with wide variations in temperature. If you’re installing trim in temps higher than 80 degrees F, cut pieces to fit tightly. If it’s between 60 and 80 degrees, leave a 1/16-in.
Do you nail or glue PVC trim?
To fasten the trim to the wall, I use 2 1/4-inch-long 15-gauge nails. On the interior of a home, nail holes in PVC can be filled with almost anything used with wood; Bond-and-Fill is a safe choice. To glue joints together, use PVC cement, since wood glues like Titebond II don’t work all that well with PVC.
Can you use caulk on PVC trim?
Silicone caulk cannot be used with its PVC panels or other PVC lumber products as it does not adhere well to the PVC, according to The Family Handyman website and PVC lumber manufacturers.
Which is better PVC or plastic?
As far as its electrical properties, PVC has good insulation, but, because it has polar elements to its composition, it has worse insulation than other plastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is extremely chemical-resistant, able to withstand acids, salts, bases, fats, and alcohols.
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