Due to advancements in plastic manufacturing technologies, performance-oriented plastics are becoming common in many industries. Variety, reliability, and costs are some features that make them popular. Today, construction companies are turning to performance oriented plastics for various reasons. This post discusses how the construction industry has benefitted from performance-oriented plastics.
Advantages of Plastics Materials in the Construction Sector
Plastics are used in construction applications due to following advantages that they offer.
- Durability: Many plastic materials used in the construction industry are stronger than metals. Industrial plastic is corrosion resistant, and easily meets environmental requirements.
- Cost-effectiveness: Material costs are the major concern for construction and building industry services. Plastic materials are cheaper than metals and natural components, and they are becoming replacements for the same in the construction industry.
- Energy Saving: Insulating effect of certain plastics help decrease sound pollution as well as energy consumption.
- Easy to Install: Plastic materials are more lightweight than metal components. The lightness of the product makes it easy to carry around and install.
Applications of Plastics in the Construction Industry
The leading uses of plastic in the building and construction industry includes the following.
- Pipes: Plastic pipes are durable and they don’t rust over the time. Several types of plastics such as PP, PE, ABS, and PVC are used to make these pipes.
- Wall Coverings: Vinyl wall coverings are used in healthcare and hospitality facilities. These coverings are easy to clean, and can withstand daily wear and tear.
- Roofing: Thermoplastic olefin and polyurethane foam are used to create roofing in low energy buildings.
- Insulation: Polyurethane foam is sprayed outside low energy buildings. The foam is flame retardant, and offers high chemical resistance.
- Flooring: Durable and resilient plastic materials such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) are used to manufacture industrial flooring. These flooring materials are maintenance–free, and less prone to wear and tear.
- Plastic House Wraps: Plastic house wraps are used to prevent the infiltration of water and air. According to the Plastics Industry Trade Association (SPI), PVC and polyolefin house wraps has reduced air infiltration by 10-50%, thereby cutting down the energy needed to cool or heat a structure. Many studies indicate that since 1980, plastic wraps have helped to reduce Co2 emissions as much as 600 MT in US alone.
The above-mentioned post indicates that use of plastic materials in construction industry is all set to increase in the coming years. From foundations to interiors and roofs, plastics be used everywhere.
