Building and construction projects account for approximately 25% of plastic consumption throughout all industries. Plastics in construction exhibit an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making them easy to maneuver and transport within the building site. The material can be formed into any desired shape, maintaining its integrity at critical joints. Plastics can be corrosion-resistant, have excellent sealing properties, and can withstand extreme operating conditions without compromising performance. National Plastics and Seals provides a wide range of durable plastics to fit the needs of the construction industry.
Types and Benefits of Plastics in Construction
National Plastics and Seals offers the following plastic materials for construction applications:
Known for its excellent optical clarity, rigidity, and scratch resistance, acrylic is commonly used in LCD screens, windows, light fixtures, and other applications that require transparent sheeting. Acrylic is also used for less obvious building projects, such as concrete coating, paint, and sinks.
Composites.
These plastic construction materials consist of two or more integral components that, when combined, enhance each other’s inherent characteristics. For instance, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) can be used as a versatile replacement for metallic materials in construction applications that require exceptional load-bearing strength.
The material’s transparency and high impact resistance are comparable to acrylic, so it is frequently used for applications requiring excellent clarity and strength, such as safety eyewear, noise barriers, and security glazing.
Polypropylene.
Used for a diverse range of plastic building products that require excellent fatigue, heat, or shatter resistance. Common applications include plastic machine parts, electrical cable insulation, and piping systems.
The cost-effective, durable material is widely used for the manufacturing of plastic construction products. It is often used as a building material for flooring, window and door profiles, roof membranes, pipes, and fittings.
Benefits
Plastics offer numerous benefits for the construction industry:
- Durability. Resistant to rot and corrosion.
- Lightweight. Does not sacrifice strength and is easier and more affordable to transport and maneuver on site.
- Versatility. Easy to bend, extrude, or mold, to accomplish a vast range of sizes and shapes.
Plastics in Construction Applications
The beneficial properties of plastic materials make them ideal for a wide range of construction applications, including:
- Countertops and flooring. Vinyl, laminate, and other plastic materials are often used for flooring and countertops.
- Plastic-based insulations. Polyurethane foam helps improve a building’s energy efficiency.
- Piping and drainage. HDPE and PVC piping are used for gas lines, drainage, and water supply, providing exceptional corrosion resistance and durability.
- Siding and cladding. Plastic siding effectively protects building exteriors, offering weather resistance and durability.
- Structural components. Plastic composites are used in panels, beams, and other structural elements, offering exceptional strength and lightweight properties.
- Windows and doors. Plastic materials, such as vinyl (PVC), are often used for window doors and frames, providing excellent weather resistance and insulation.
- Other applications. Plastics are often used in sound barriers, skylights, concrete molds, and protective coatings.
All Plastics Available for the Construction Industry
Acrylic (PMMA)
- Benefits: High optical clarity, lighter than glass, weather-resistant, UV stability
- Applications: Decorative architectural elements, doors/windows, glazing, skylights, sound barriers
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
- Benefits: PVC variant offering better temperature tolerance and chemical resistance than standard-grade PVC.
- Applications: Hot-water piping, plumbing, fire sprinkler systems
Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)
- Benefits: Features a self-cleaning surface, excellent UV and water resistance, good light transmission, and lightweight properties that reduce structural load.
- Applications: Cushions, facades, greenhouses, large-span roofs
Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
- Benefits: High strength-to-weight ratio, minimal maintenance requirements, and excellent resistance against corrosive and harsh environments.
- Applications: Beams, bridges, building components, piping/tanks, structural reinforcements
Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)
- Benefits: Offers better formability and heat/chemical resistance than PTFE, especially in corrosive and harsh environments.
- Applications: Architectural elements, chemical linings, piping
Polycarbonate (PC)
- Benefits: Lightweight, excellent strength and impact resistance, good insulation when structured, and good light transmission.
- Applications: Greenhouses, facades, partitions, skylights, transparent cladding/roofing
Polyethylene (PE)
- Benefits: Flexibility (in sheets/films), durability, and excellent moisture resistance.
- Applications: Geomembranes, HDPE piping, membrane liners, outdoor site elements, vapor barriers
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG)
- Benefits: A transparent plastic offering good clarity, formability, and chemical resistance.
- Applications: Decorative panels, interior glazing, non-structural transparent elements, signage
Polypropylene (PP)
- Benefits: Lightweight, chemical/fatigue resistant.
- Applications: Chemical linings, drainage systems, interior building components, non-load bearing structures
Polystyrene (PS)
- Benefits: Lightweight, low cost, and good insulation in expanded forms.
- Applications: Architectural models, decorative elements, insulation boards, void fill
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
- Benefits: Exceptional temperature and chemical resistance in harsh conditions, non-stick, durable, and self-lubricating.
- Applications: Architectural specialty elements, cable sleeving, high-end facade membranes
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Benefits: Durable, cost-effective, versatile, good chemical/moisture resistance.
- Applications: Drainage systems, electrical conduits, piping, roofing membranes, wall siding/cladding, window/door profiles
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)
- Benefits: High UV and weather resistance, longevity, and excellent chemical durability.
- Applications: Architectural coatings/films, facade membranes, long-life cladding surfaces
Silicone (Si)
- Benefits: Flexibility, long service life, and excellent temperature/ozone/UV resistance.
- Applications: Expansion joints, exterior architectural sealing systems, glazing gaskets, sealants
Construction Plastic Fabrication by National Plastics and Seals
Since 1985, National Plastics and Seals has been an industry-leading supplier of fabricated and precision-machined plastic parts. We are committed to delivering exceptional reliability, quality, technical support, competitive pricing, and service that meets or exceeds our customers’ expectations.
Contact us or request a quote today to learn more about our construction plastics and how they can meet the unique demands of even the most challenging projects.