Thanks to new developments in performance plastics, architects, contractors, and designers have quickly learned the benefits of using plastic materials in their projects. From building new homes to renovating old commercial buildings and structures, performance plastics have provided numerous advantages through improvements in energy efficiency, interior design, durability, and ease of installation.
In addition to the opportunity to improve a structure’s environmental footprint, properly installed plastic building products can help reduce energy and maintenance costs, improve aesthetics, and enhance safety for years to come. Performance plastics are also commonly used in commercial water, sewage, and drainage systems.
Common Plastics for Building and Construction
Piedmont Plastics’ building and construction products are the perfect choice for both commercial and domestic applications ranging from the areas of roofing, wallcoverings, and partitions, to glazing, cladding, reception areas, and security. If aesthetics, strength, light transmission, and long-term performance are needed, performance plastics can provide it.
Acrylic is a transparent plastic material that offers superior clarity and strength. It is lightweight, maintains high impact resistance, has a higher optical clarity than glass and is 10 times more shatter resistant. Acrylic can be used in applications including drive-up windows, teller window glazing, gas station glazing, skylights, safety partitions, store fixtures, and school barriers.
Polycarbonate is another transparent plastic material with exceptional impact resistance, toughness, low moisture absorption, dielectric properties, and flame retardance. Polycarbonate is 30 times stronger than acrylic and over 200 times stronger than glass. It is also lightweight, weighing six times less than glass. Additionally, polycarbonate is a great insulator. Polycarbonate can be used in applications such as awnings, decorative shutters, roof vents, safety partitions, window well covers, skylights, electrical enclosures, printed circuit boards, heavy equipment glazing, and machine guards.
Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) is made of two thin layers of aluminum bonded on either side of a polyethylene core. ACM is durable, strong, lightweight, and can be coated or painted to match any color or pattern. ACM is perfect for applications like store fixtures, staging and event displays, and exterior walls.
HDPE is a versatile product with low moisture absorption, excellent impact resistance, high tensile strength, and good chemical and corrosion resistance. HDPE does not splinter, rot, or retain harmful bacteria. It is recyclable and extremely resistant to the harsh chemicals of cleaning solutions. HDPE can be used for applications such as workbenches/industrial tables, decorative shutters, food service cabinetry, outdoor furniture, and bathroom partitions.
UHMW is highly durable, cost-efficient, and versatile. It is commonly known for its extremely low coefficient of friction, inherent lubricity, superior impact strength and chemical resistance. Natural virgin UHMW has an extremely high molecular weight, making it extremely resistant to abrasion and moisture absorption. UHMW can be used for applications such as food service cabinetry, star wheels, thrust washers, valves and fittings, workbenches/industrial tables and material handling wear strips.
Kydex is an extremely durable material that is offered in several colors, patterns, textures, and thicknesses. Its superior dimensional stability allows Kydex to meet demanding specifications for fire, smoke, and toxicity. It can also be easily cleaned with no staining, fading, or surface damage. Some commonly used building and construction applications include store fixtures, safety partitions, and food service cabinetry.
There are many more products to meet the needs of the building and construction market, including high impact polystyrene, acrylic mirror, polyethylene film, PVC Foam Sheet, fluted polypropylene, and polyester film.
Architectural Features
Performance plastic materials can add critical architectural elements to a building project including architectural columns, awnings, decorative shutters, lighting panels, and pedestrian bridge enclosures. The high durability and UV, impact and chemical resistance are all important characteristics that help these architectural features maintain their integrity for long periods of time.
Construction Signage
As new construction and development begins, the need for additional signage will follow. Traffic signage is commonly used because they help drivers and pedestrians identify potential hazards in a construction zone. These signs are made from plastic materials, because they offer the fade-resistance, flexibility and versatility needed for these harsh environments. Learn more about our signage solutions. *link to signage page
