The primary reason you ended up on this article is probably because you are having difficulty determining which of the two – PVC or WPC – is a better option to pick. While both are exceptional composites that have flourished in the recent world due to their fantastic results and the sturdy material they contain, people are always hesitant when picking between the two.
This is because every customer wants the best of the two when making a purchase. If this is the same query that led you here, and you want to know the difference between WPC and PVC to pick the best option, then this article is for you. Hop on below to learn about the two composites in detail to assess which one might be the best pick.
What is WPC?
WPC – also known as a wood plastic composite- is made from wood fiber and plastic. This composite combines wood fibers with thermoplastic resins and other additives. As a result of this combination, WPC materials are extremely strong, sturdy, and durable. Moreover, these are water resistant, which makes them ideal for high moisture environments like washrooms and kitchens, and prevent any form of rotness or damage.
While all this is great, one of the significant advantages WPC brings is its eco-friendly nature. Given that this material is composed entirely of recycled materials, the WPC also serves as a beneficial advantage to the environment.
What is PVC?
Another great composite slightly different from WPC but one that still works well is PVC. Polyvinyl Chloride – PVC – is a synthetic plastic polymer. These materials are lightweight, simple to install, and similar to WPC; they are also moisture resistant, making them an ideal placement for bathrooms and kitchens.
However, if both composites are equally good, on what differential bases can users assess which would be the best for them? To help you with this, we have concluded some detailed differences between both composites below.
Detailed Differences Between WPC and PVC
Here is a detailed differential guide on both composites to help you assess which might be the most suitable one for you:
1. Material Composition
As mentioned above, the WPC panels are made from wood fibers and thermoplastics. These wood fibers are usually recycled, which gives the WPC an environmentally friendly benefit. On the other hand, PVC is composed of 100% rigid plastic and PVC resins. These resins are usually virgin PVC and do not have an environmental benefit like WPC.
The material composition of both composites is exceptional, and each material is sturdy and perfect for use. Hence, narrow down your pick based on your composite material preference.
2. Appearance
The appearance of a material plays a crucial role in helping a user pick it out. This is because each material gives off a particular kind of aesthetic which eventually allows users to decide which one would suit the overall outlook or perspective they have in mind best.
The WPC panels are more wood-like, with visible wood grains and a similar texture. PVC, on the other hand, has a more smooth and glossy appearance. Hence, whichever your preference in appearance is, it is ideal to pick that particular composite for your use.
3. Installation Method
Installation is another crucial aspect that many people consider before narrowing down their pick. If you want to choose a product that is easier to install, we suggest you go for PVC over WPC. This is because the PVC panels are far easier to install and would require a few adhesives only.
On the other hand, the WPC can be installed by various techniques like clip and screw, tongue and groove, and adhesives but are a little more complex than the counterpart mentioned above.
4. Weight
For many customers, the weight of the product matters a lot. There can be multiple reasons why people look into weight when choosing between PVC or WPC, but the major one is that lightweight products are easier to install.
If you are someone who would want to assess the weight of the product before making a purchase, then let us break it down for you. The WPC is comparatively heavier in weight. The PVC is often lightweight, which makes installing them so much easier.
5. Fire Resistance
There is no denying that both WPC and PVC are made from materials that make them fire-resistant and safe from any form of ignition. However, if it comes down to choosing one, we’d ask you to choose WPC over PVC.
The primary reason is that the WPC panels are more resistant to heat and flames than PVC, which has a low ignition rate.
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6. UV Resistance
There is no denying that the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause significant damage to a lot of materials. Hence ensuring that any material you purchase is resistant to these harmful rays is essential.
The WPC and PVC both work exceptionally well when it comes to resistance against the harmful rays of the run. Hence, if UV rays are your main issue and you want to use WPC or PVC for outdoor purposes, you can pick either of the two without any worries.
7. Moisture and Water Resistance
Both WPC and PVC are water resistant, but the most significant difference is when it comes to moisture in this aspect. The WPC, while water-resistant, tends to absorb moisture due to its wooden fibers.
This helps the WPC to absorb moisture readily and prevents any sort of warping from occurring. The PVC, on the other hand, while water resistant, does not absorb moisture. If you want to use these composites in areas with high humidity, we suggest you incline towards WPC more.
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8. Chemical Resistance
Chemical resistivity is a vital aspect to consider if you are using these composites for places like a laboratory or industries where the use of chemicals is high. This is because chemicals have a Ph level that can easily damage any product, so cautious measures should be taken. If this is the case for you, we suggest you pick PVC over WPC.
This is because PVC is comparatively more resistant to chemicals which makes them an ideal use. The WPC, on the other hand, can easily get damaged by the majority of the chemicals.
9. Scratch Resistance
If you are using a composite material in places where the chances of scratches or collisions are high, then we are sure you will look into a material that is scratch-resistant, right?
If that is the case, PVC is the perfect option. The PVC panels are smooth and sturdy and are comparatively less scratch-resistant than the WPC panels, which might get a few scratches here and there if a hard collision intersects with them. So, if ensuring that the outlook of your composite remains free of scratches is your preference, we suggest you use the PVC option over the WPC one.
10. Strength and Durability
While PVC might be a more scratch-free option for users, the WPC takes the lead when it comes to durability. The WPC panels are composed of wood fibers, making them a lot sturdier and more durable in terms of longevity. Moreover, the WPC is less prone to cracks or breaking than the PVC, which is less strong and durable. So, if you want to invest in a composite that would last you a long time, then there is no better pick than WPC.
WPC and PVC: Which One to Choose?
Now that you know all the significant differences between WPC and PVC, the question stands Which of the two should you choose? Well, upon reading the differences between the composites, we are sure you must have assessed that each of the two takes the lead in one aspect or the other. Hence, you cannot just label the best of the two.
This is because both PVC and WPC are equally great. Hence, to determine which one suits you the best, you should align the differences mentioned above and compare them with your needs. This will help you quickly narrow down which factors you can let go of and which factors are the most important for you to keep under consideration.
Conclusion
WPC and PVC are great options; however, if you want to know the differences between the two to make up your mind, we hope this article was of help. Let us know if you have any more information to share about these two. For more information and products related to WPC, and PVC visit EVODEK
