What is PVC-U?
PVC stands for poly vinyl chloride and the U stands for unplasticised.
It is said to be unplasticised because no additive has been added to make the material flexible instead of rigid.
PVC’s safety and versatility make it suitable for many applications. It is used for blood bags, food wraps and electric cabling and can be designed to suit both modern and traditional architecture.
About 20% of plastics manufactured worldwide today are PVC, making it second only to polyethylene.
PVC has been commercially produced since 1933. The UK produces some 500,000 tonnes a year. PVC-U has been used to make window frames since the 1960s. Now more than 85% of new and replacement windows projects use PVC-U.
PVC-U, uPVC and plastic are all common terms for the same windows. PVC-U is the term most broadly used among window experts.