PVC sandwich panels: properties and applications

PVC sandwich panels are very popular in construction work. The English word sandwich, translated into Russian, means multilayer. As a result, it turns out that we are talking about a multi-layer building material. Before purchasing such a product, you need to familiarize yourself with its features and purpose.

PVC sandwich panel is a material consisting of two outer layers (polyvinyl chloride sheets) and an inner layer (insulation). The inner layer can be made of polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene. PVC panels made of polyurethane foam have excellent heat-saving properties. And also polyurethane foam is an environmentally friendly product.

Insulation made of polystyrene foam has low heat conductivity and low weight of the structure. Expanded polystyrene differs from polyurethane foam due to the following properties: strength, resistance to chemical attack. The outer plastic layers have the following qualities: impact resistance, hard coating, exquisite appearance of the material.

Expanded polystyrene is produced in two versions.

• Extruded. Such polystyrene is produced in sheets, which simplifies the installation technology. But such material is more expensive than foamed.
• Expanded polystyrene is produced in sheets or blocks (thickness up to 100 cm). During installation work, the blocks will need to be cut to the desired size.

Sandwich panels made of plastic are used for the installation of industrial and agricultural structures, as well as in the creation of partitions in non-residential buildings.

Multilayer PVC panels are the most popular in use, they are widely used in decoration and insulation of door and window slopes. Polyvinyl chloride is highly resistant to alkali and temperature fluctuations.

Installation of PVC panels can be carried out independently immediately after the installation of plastic windows. Due to the thermal insulation qualities of the insulation, the maximum insulation of the building is ensured. Reinforced-plastic windows with PVC panels will last quite a long time, without requiring replacement of the material for about 20 years.

Construction sandwich panels are also used:

• in finishing window and door slopes;
• in filling window systems;
• in the manufacture of partitions;
• are successfully used for decorative finishing of headsets.

The demand for PVC sandwich panels lies in the fact that they can be used at any time of the year and under any weather conditions. Not all building materials can boast of such qualities.

The outer layer of the structure can be made of different materials.

• Made of rigid PVC sheet. For the production of multilayer material, white sheet material is used. The thickness ranges from 0.8 to 2 mm. The coating of such a sheet is glossy and matte. The density of the sheet is 1.4 g / cm3.
• Made of foamed PVC sheet. The inner part of the structure has a porous structure. Foamed sheets have a low material density (0.6 g / cm3) and good thermal insulation.
• Laminated plastic, which is created by impregnating a pack of decorative, overlay or kraft paper with resins, followed by pressing.

Multi-layer panels can be supplied as ready-made systems that do not require preparatory work for the assembly of the material. The finished structures are attached to the facing material with glue. The second design variation - such panels are assembled using self-tapping screws before the installation technology.

PVC sandwich panels have certain technical characteristics.

• Low heat conductivity, which is 0.041 W / kV.
• High resistance to external factors (precipitation, temperature fluctuations, UV rays) and to the formation of mold, mildew.
• Excellent sound insulation properties of the material.
• Strength. The compressive strength of multilayer panels is 0.27 MPa, and the bending strength is 0.96 MPa.
• Ease and practicality to use. There is a possibility of self-installation without the help of specialists.
• One hundred percent moisture resistance of building material.

• A wide range of colors. There is a possibility of selection for any interior in a house or apartment.
• High fire resistance.
• Low weight of the material. Multilayer PVC panels, in contrast to concrete and bricks, have 80 times less load on the foundation.
• Simplicity and ease of maintenance of sandwich panels. It is enough to periodically wipe the PVC surface with a damp cloth; the option with the addition of non-abrasive detergents is also possible.
• The absence of emissions of harmful and toxic substances, thereby does not harm the human body during operation.

The standardized parameters of plastic sandwich panels for windows are between 1500 mm and 3000 mm. Standard sandwich panels are produced in thicknesses: 10 mm, 24 mm, 32 mm and 40 mm. Some manufacturers produce panels in thinner thicknesses: 6 mm, 8 mm and 16 mm. Experts recommend using panels with a thickness of 24 mm.

The weight of the PVC laminated board depends on the inner filler. When using polyurethane insulation, the weight of the material will not exceed 15 kg per 1 square meter.

Sandwich panels are produced on one side and two sides. One-sided production of panels means that one side is rough, and the other side is finished, which has a greater thickness than the rough. Bilateral production is when both sides of the material are finished.

The most popular color of the plastic panel is white, but PVC sheets are also made, painted to match the texture (wood, stone). To protect the PVC sheet panel from various contaminants and mechanical damage, the front part of the panel is covered with a special film, which is removed before installing the material.

When choosing a multilayer PVC panel, it is necessary to take into account some of the disadvantages of such a material.

• To cut the material to the required size, you need to act very carefully, a circular saw with small teeth is better for this purpose, otherwise the three-layer plates are chipped and delaminated. But you also need to take into account the fact that trimming the panels is possible only at temperatures above +5 degrees, at low temperature conditions the material becomes fragile.
• To install the sandwich panel, you need the required surface area. If the distance from the hinge to the wall is small, then it will not work to install the panel, the stove will "walk".
• Installation is carried out only on a prepared surface. The thermal insulation of the room and the service life of the material will depend on the quality of the installation.
• High material cost.
• After a certain time, yellow spots may appear on the surface of the slopes.
• Sandwich panels are self-supporting material, that is, no additional heavy load on the panels is allowed, they can deform.

When purchasing sandwich materials, you need to take care of the accompanying plastic profile, which are made in U-shaped and L-shaped shapes.

Profile form P is intended for installation of PVC panels in the passage in the area of ​​the junction of the facing material and the window frame. The L-shaped rail is needed in order to close the outer corners of the joining of the slopes to the wall.

Installation of multilayer PVC panels can be carried out independently, the main thing is to follow all the rules and instructions for installing such materials. Using the example of window slopes, we will consider the technique of mounting plastic panels at home.

Required tools for installation:

• self-tapping screws, liquid nails, sealant;
• mounting profiles;
• polyurethane foam;

• sandwich panels;
• mounting level;
• cutter knife, electric jigsaw, scissors for cutting metal materials;

• electric drill;
• in some cases, experienced craftsmen use a grinder to cut panels.

Novice builders need to use such a tool with caution, because overdoing it with pressure, the material will break.

Before proceeding with the installation of sheets, it is necessary to get rid of dirt (dust, paint, foam). Sandwich materials are only laid on a clean base. If there is mold, it must be removed, and the surface must be treated with a special impregnation.

1. Preparation and measurement of slopes. Using a tape measure, the length and width of the slopes are measured in order to cut the panels to the size of the slope.
2. Installation of profiles. The initial U-shaped profiles (starting profiles) are cut and fastened with self-tapping screws, which are installed along the edges of the profiles, leaving a gap of 15 cm between them.
3. The side sections and the top PVC panel are installed in the plastic profile. The sections are fixed to the wall with liquid nails or polyurethane foam.
4. Areas of abutment to the walls are covered with facing material from the L-shaped profile. The edge profile is installed with liquid nails.
5. Finally, the contact areas are sealed with white silicone sealant.

Use polyurethane foam with extreme caution., because it doubles in volume upon exit. Otherwise, large gaps will form between the laminated sheets and the wall, and all the work will have to be redone.

Slopes on balconies and loggias made of sandwich slabs are made similar to the slopes of metal-plastic windows in an apartment.

Modern production technology is based on gluing the insulation material with the covering sheets by means of polyurethane hot melt glue and compression, which is performed using a heat press.

Required special equipment:

• giving away drive conveyor with variable auto-feeding rate;
• receiving conveyor with variable auto-feeding speed;
• unit for distributing adhesive material;
• car assembly table;
• heat press.

This technology is a series of sequential operations.

• Operation 1. A protective film is applied to the PVC sheet. It is placed on the discharge conveyor, from which, when the system is switched on, it is transferred to the receiving conveyor. During the movement of the sheet along the conveyor under the unit, the glue is uniformly applied to the PVC surface. After one hundred percent distribution of the adhesive mixture on the sheet, the system automatically turns off.
• Operation 2.The PVC sheet is manually placed on the assembly table and fixed to the construction stops.

• Operation 3. A layer of expanded polystyrene (polyurethane foam) is placed on top of the sheet and fixed on special mounting stops.
• Resuming operation 1.
• Repeat operation 2.
• The semi-finished panel is placed in a heat press, which is preheated to the desired temperature.
• The PVC plate is pulled out of the press.

You can learn how to properly cut plastic PVC panels from the video below.