SUPERVISE AND APPLY QUALITY STANDARDS TO THE SELECTION OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
CPCCBC5004A
New building products and processes are continually coming onto the residential building market, usually replacing or supplementing a traditional method of building, with some being more successful than others.

Assessment 4

uPVC (Windows and Doors)

uPVC, also known as rigid PVC, is a building material that is new to the Australian market place. It has been used in Europe and the USA for many years. So, you may be asking yourself what exactly is uPVC?
Manufactured through a process of highly efficient conversion process, raw materials such as salt and oil derivatives are mixed together to produce a plastic material that is specified for a broad range of applications throughout worldwide markets.
It is made up of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), which is used within the building and construction industries as a very low maintenance/ low cost material with an extremely long lifespan, often used in residential and commercial building projects. It is completely BPA and lead free, with an intense resistance against chemicals, sunlight, and oxidation from air or water, making it a very safe and sustainable green product also saving energy by up to 50 – 80%. uPVC is fast becoming one of the most common materials in both residential and commercial projects, having many uses such as:

Double or single glazed windows and doors - heat proof, noise proof.

Plumbing – pipes, guttering, downpipes

Fascia and Frames

Cladding

Sills

uPVC Doors and Windows
Taking a closer look at uPVC windows and doors they are all manufactured custom and built to size. They are fitted to meet the demands of any type of window including sliding windows or French doors, double hung windows, Bay or Bow windows, tilt and turn windows. Depending on manufacturer most windows and doors are double glazed, hardened glass, noise resistant and weatherproof. It seems to be a winning combination.

The visual appeal helps add style, being readily available in many colours and finishes, making it a elegant and modern choice to compliment any project.

Is uPVC going to save me dollars or blow my budget?
All uPVC products are by far the best cost effective way to design and build. It is a very affordable window’s that reflect heat from the sun, block outside noise all while keeping your place warm in winter, and cool in summer, making it very energy efficient. Although they cost approximately 10 – 20 % more than a standard aluminium window, they come with up to a 30 year manufacturer warranty.

Did you know heating and cooling is the largest energy user in the average home accounting for 38% of overall household energy use?
Did you know that double glazing uPVC will save you MONEY by making your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy bill?
Did you know aluminium window frames act as huge radiators that generate unwanted summer heat into your home in summer and absorb the cold air in winter making your home cold?

uPVC is Safe and Secure
It is one of the lowest maintenance materials available on the market today. It does not rust, does not contort in any way, nor is it venerable to weather conditions (extreme heat, extreme cold resistant). It will not fade and will remain the same quality year after year. Cleaning is very easy and can be done with a simple bucket and sponge.
At the very end of its extremely long lifetime, uPVC is completely recyclable and reusable making it one of, if not the most environmentally friendly materials used in the building and construction industry today. uPVC doors and windows comply with all the latest health, safety and security requirements by using the principles of “designing out crime” through the use of effective crime prevention inline with demands set by professional security standards.

The uPVC industry is leading the way when it comes to