Choosing the Best Material: Exploring the Differences Between PVCue, PVCu, and PVC Decking

Our DekBoard decking boards are crafted from rigid PVC, a robust and long-lasting material specifically engineered for durability. In the industry, various acronyms are used to describe this substance, including PVC, PVCu, uPVC, and PVC-u, among others. To shed light on these terms and clarify any confusion, we consulted our experts to explore whether there are genuine distinctions between PVCue, PVCu, and traditional PVC decking.

PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is a synthetic plastic polymer that was serendipitously discovered in 1872 by German chemist Eugene Baumann. He observed that when vinyl chloride was left exposed to sunlight, it transformed into a white solid within the container. Although Baumann recognized the potential of this new material, it wasn't until 1926 that Waldo Semon and the B.F. Goodrich Company began the process of plasticizing it. While PVC is inherently rigid, it can be made more flexible by incorporating plasticizers, which are commonly used in products like hoses, insulation, and footwear. However, for decking applications, a stiffer and more durable form is essential, which is why DekBoard exclusively utilizes unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, often referred to interchangeably as PVC, PVCu, or uPVC.

When it comes to the terms uPVC and PVCu, it's important to note that they are essentially synonymous, both denoting unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. The primary difference lies in regional usage; uPVC is the term favored by homeowners in the UK, while PVCu is more commonly employed across Europe, where the structure of the language often places nouns before adjectives. This pattern also applies to variations like u-PVC or PVC-U, where the presence of a dash does not alter the meaning. Additionally, PVCue, which stands for Polyvinyl Chloride unplasticized expanded, is better known as Cellular PVC, characterized by its rigid, expanded foamed structure, offering unique properties for specific applications.