PVCu Frames

MYTH BUSTING

PVCu has received a great deal of bad press over the years when it comes to the issue of sustainability, from local to national press and from TV to radio, PVCu has met with a steady stream of criticism. Detractors have derided the benefits of the product, whilst highlighting the perceived negatives, and just like chinese whispers these misconceptions have been twisted and turned into what many beleive to be fact, it is now time to put the record straight.

One of the most popular misconceptions is that it takes 8 tons of oil to produce 1 ton of PVCu, WRONG, it actually takes less than half a ton to produce a ton of PVCu, the remainder is made up of common salt. The actual make up is 43% ethylene (a by product of the oil industry) and 57% chlorine (derived from ordinary salt). 

Another misconception is that during the manufacture of PVCu, tons of pollutants are released into the atmosphere, WRONG, the fact is that it would take a very large production facility 30,000 years to produce more dioxins than a single bonfire night. PVCu actually has less environmental impact than many other materials.

PVCu is not recyclable like aluminium or timber, WRONG, PVCu is actually quite easy to recycle, in 2000 the European PVCu industry signed a voluntary commitment to recycle PVCu frames and profiles into similar long life products. At present about 60% of PVCu is recycled and the aim is to increase this to 80% by 2010.

PVCu is harmful, WRONG it is completely inert and 100% safe, thats why it's used in so many medical products such as blood bags.

PVCu is not durable, actually it is exceptionally durable, windows made from PVCu typically have a life expectancy of more than 35 years.

Independent studies have consistently shown that the whole life costs of windows made from PVCu are significantly lower than for windows made from alternative materials. Recent German research shows PVCu delivers typical savings of 20% over 25 years compared to hardwood and 50% compared to aluminium.

Hardwood is the most thermally efficient window material, WRONG, PVCu is far more thermally efficient than all alternative materials and the PVCu industry is at the forefront of the development of more energy efficient windows.

For more information visit www.fightingbackwithfacts.com.