Why not use PVC insulation panels?

I have the same doubt. Some properties of rigid PVC foam are better than those of polystyrene and polyurethane: it has high strength, as well as excellent electrical properties and resistance to acids, alkalis, and solvents ； Low water vapor permeability and self-extinguishing property ； Its strength and flame-retardant properties are superior to those of rigid polyurethane foam and rigid polystyrene foam ； Its thermal insulation performance is comparable to that of polyurethane foam at operating temperatures, and its chemical resistance is on par with that of polyurethane foam, exceeding that of polystyrene foam. PVC exterior wall insulation panels are also available on the market, but in very small quantities. The market is still dominated by flammable insulation materials such as EPS and polyurethane. Truly flame-retardant exterior wall insulation materials are expensive. During this year’s 315 Gala, issues related to non-flame-retardant exterior wall insulation materials being sold as high-quality products in the Wuhan market were exposed. Why not use rigid PVC foam materials instead?

Insulation panels made of PVC for use in building exterior walls (1) – Practicality: The PVC exterior wall panel system is made from high-quality, loose-type polyvinyl chloride material. Using specialized techniques, additives such as SPV–2000UV ultraviolet inhibitors and heat stabilizers that protect against harmful solar radiation are incorporated into the mixture. Three inorganic materials along with these modified additives are integrated into the molecular structure of the panel, which is then produced through precise mixing and extrusion processes. Its products can withstand being hit by a baseball traveling at 180 miles per hour without breaking or cracking, and they can return to their original shape quickly after being bent 180 degrees. Traditional PVC products can only be used indoors, as the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can damage their molecular structure, leading to aging effects such as discoloration and brittleness. The PVC exterior cladding panels utilize European technology; 6–10 parts of anti-aging agents are added in accordance with European standards for exterior products (while some panels use only 3–4 parts of such agents). This overcomes the limitation of traditional PVC products, which could only be used indoors, allowing these panels to maintain their color essentially unchanged over 25 years despite exposure to ultraviolet rays on exterior walls. To improve the weather resistance of PVC exterior cladding panels, a high-concentration weatherproofing material is also applied to their surface, overcoming the drawback of PVC exterior panels aging and fading easily. It possesses excellent properties in terms of water resistance, fire resistance, moth resistance, corrosion resistance, sound insulation, termite resistance, and aging resistance ； It has an extremely long service life. (II) Decorativeness: The PVC exterior cladding features a wood-like texture design, offering a simple and natural aesthetic, with a variety of different colors and texture options available. Hangings in various colors can be used together, and they can also be combined with other high-quality exterior wall decoration materials such as cultured stone and decorative bricks – materials with different textures – which can be applied in different areas to create stylish combinations full of creativity and variety ； The lines are graceful, the colors are elegant, and it blends in well with the house. It offers perfect visual effects, a comfortable natural experience, and pure, diverse colors that do not fade. It is the best alternative material for exterior wall coatings, tiles, and stone. Suitable for various building types such as villas, multi-story residential buildings, factories, and renovated old buildings. It gives buildings a natural, simple, elegant, and fresh appearance, while also enabling them to withstand various harsh weather conditions. (III) Economic viability: Compared to other exterior wall materials available on the market today, PVC exterior wall panels can be considered a cost-effective and economical new type of material. The comparison with other exterior wall materials on the market is as follows. Compared to stone and tiles, PVC exterior cladding has a lower weight, is cheaper, easier to install, and can be separated from the wall, which facilitates moisture evaporation from the wall. This provides better protection for the wall and extends the building’s service life. Compared to paint, PVC exterior cladding comes in a variety of colors, has a stronger three-dimensional appearance, better texture in its patterns, and its color does not fade over time. This eliminates the need to repaint it every three to five years as is the case with paint, thereby saving significant maintenance costs ； PVC exterior cladding causes no pollution at any stage, from production to installation and use, as well as during recycling; it thus avoids the environmental damage and health hazards associated with the use of paints. Compared to glass: PVC exterior cladding comes in a variety of colors, has a stronger three-dimensional appearance, does not cause light pollution, offers excellent energy-saving properties, and is in line with modern environmental protection trends. Compared to imported PVC cladding panels, PVC exterior wall cladding panels from foreign manufacturers, due to import tariffs and transportation costs, currently cost over 120 yuan per square meter. The price of these domestic cladding panels is only about half of that, yet their performance parameters meet or even exceed those of the imported products. Additionally, being domestically produced, they are easier to transport and have a shorter delivery time. In the use of high-rise buildings today, since tiles and stones cannot be used on the exterior walls, dry-hanging or coating systems must be employed. Among dry-hanging systems, Gemai PVC exterior wall panels offer the advantage of having a lower weight and being easier to install. Especially in high-rise buildings, the labor cost associated with dry-hanging stone is quite high; in contrast, the labor cost for PVC exterior wall panels is much lower. Moreover, their thermal insulation performance and other technical specifications are far superior to those of stone. (IV) Ease of installation: The installation process for PVC exterior cladding panels is simple; it involves a completely dry-process approach, ensuring stability and reliability. The construction period is short, which saves labor and time, **thereby reducing installation costs. PVC exterior cladding panels can achieve the best results only when installed correctly. Here we introduce the basic installation steps and precautions: 1. Before installation, determine the number of panels and accessories needed based on the actual conditions of the building, and prepare the appropriate tools: power tools (desktop or portable), hammer, fine-toothed straight knife, right-angle ruler, level, tape measure, chalk line, utility knife, and tin snips ； Special tools include hole-punching pliers and lock-plier. 2. Draw ink lines under the eaves, as well as at the top and bottom of the windows; determine the required height based on specific conditions. 3. Start installing the starter strip from the very bottom, leaving space for the corner guards, J-shaped strips, and other accessories. At least 6 mm of expansion space should be left between the starting strip and the end strip; nails should be driven into the center of the nail holes in the starting strip. Pay attention to the parallelism between the starting bar and the eaves and windows. 4. When installing the outer and inner corner posts, leave a space of 6–8 mm at the top, and start driving nails from the upper part, placing one nail every 200 mm. Both types of corner posts should be installed before the decorative panels are put in place, making sure that the corners formed by these posts are vertical and aligned properly. 5. Install J-shaped strips around windows and doors, mark the position level with the windows, and cut the excess part at a 45-degree angle inward; this prevents water leakage and also makes it easier to connect other J-shaped strips together. 6. When installing the hanging plate, leave a space of 6–8 mm between the corner post and the hanging plate to prevent warping or deformation of its surface due to thermal expansion and contraction. When installing the horizontal hanging plates, attach the first plate tightly to the starting strip. Pay attention to checking the levelness and neatness between the windows, eaves, and adjacent wall panels. Every 5–6 panels installed, it is necessary to check the levelness and reset the level line. The connection points between the panels should be placed as far away as possible from entrances/exits or areas with heavy foot traffic, which helps to improve the overall decorative effect. (5) Maintenance-free: PVC exterior cladding has excellent corrosion resistance; no painting is required on its outer surface. It can withstand various harsh weather conditions and remain in good condition despite the effects of natural elements. This eliminates the need for tasks such as removing stains and peeling paint or repainting, ensuring that maintenance is done only once and for all. If it gets covered with dust or other dirt, it can be made fresh and attractive again simply by washing it with rainwater or using a water mist spray. Even if dirt has accumulated on the hanging board due to poor cleaning, there’s no need to worry – it can be removed by gently wiping it with a mild soap solution, leaving it fresh and clean. It is also resistant to scratches and does not crack; it will not break even under high-impact forces such as those in baseball, nor will it suffer damage from insects or rodents. There is no need to worry about dents, scratches, cracks, or damage at all. (VI) Environmental friendliness: PVC exterior cladding panels are eco-friendly products; they are made of polyvinyl chloride and do not contain harmful substances such as asbestos ； The product is easy and quick to install, with no pollution at all ； Due to its insulating properties, it prevents heat from escaping from the building, thus effectively saving energy ； Moreover, the exterior wall cladding boasts excellent weather resistance and a long service life, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance ； The materials can be recycled, resulting in no waste pollution.

You two have talked so much, yet you still haven’t figured out why it isn’t used! ! ! ! :L:L:L

1: Concepts 2: Builders’ interests

Agree: 1. In the minds of consumers, PVC often carries a negative image as being fragile, having poor resistance to aging, and even being toxic. 2. In terms of the value chain, standards in many fields are often controlled by large enterprises (the recently controversial milk standards are a good example). I haven’t studied the standards for exterior wall insulation materials in detail, so I can’t assert whether such standards are detrimental to PVC materials; however, PVC releases irritating smoke (HCl) when it burns, which may limit its use.