Pvc sandwich panels: properties and applications

Recommendations for use

Sandwich paneling is possible in all conditions, but installation in the rain is not recommended. Mineral wool insulation can get wet, and this will reduce the quality characteristics of the products.

In the process of using sandwich panels, you need to periodically check the appearance of the products. Fittings, fasteners must be sealed. If this is not the case, then the inner part of the panels can be additionally planted with glue. Dirty exterior surfaces are best cleaned with a soft brush. If the top coating of the panels is lamination, do not use abrasive cleaners.

Possible damage can be cut off and replaced with new ones, or it can be repaired with a suitable repair paint if the type of polymer coating of the panel is known. Alkyd enamel or latex acrylate paint can be used as paint options.

How to choose slopes: the best finishing option

There are several options for finishing slopes. For this, materials such as plaster, drywall, gypsum fiber, plastic panels and sandwich panels can be used. The price for window slopes of the latter type of material is the highest compared to other options.

The traditional way of finishing the slopes is to plaster the side and upper niches of the window frame. The technology consists in leveling the surface by applying several layers of plaster, followed by priming and painting the surface. This method has a number of distinctive advantages. First of all, it is versatile. You can plaster the slope in a room with any humidity and temperature conditions. The mixture itself is an inexpensive material.

Plaster slopes are characterized by resistance to mechanical stress, ultraviolet radiation and moisture. This finish does not contain seams or joints. The surface is perfectly flat and smooth. In the event of a decrease in aesthetics, such slopes can be easily updated or repaired.

For slopes, drywall, plastic and sandwich panels, as well as gypsum fiber are used.

Despite its many advantages, this method of finishing slopes has its drawbacks. Plastering side niches is a time-consuming and laborious process that requires breaks in work to dry each new layer. In addition, to get a good result, you need to have the appropriate skills. Plaster slopes are characterized by low thermal insulation properties. They are prone to freezing and condensation.

Features of plasterboard slopes for window openings

Many people prefer drywall slopes. The method is based on gluing or screwing sheets of material of the required size to the side niches, followed by priming, puttying and painting. This option attracts with simple and quick installation, which even a novice master can handle. The material is also characterized by an acceptable cost.

Installation of plasterboard slopes - quick and easy finishing option

With the help of plasterboard strips, you can create perfectly flat sides of the window. Between the drywall and the wall, the space is filled with foam, which serves as a window seal. Such a surface is suitable for multiple coloration.

However, this method is not without its drawbacks. The material is susceptible to moisture, so it can be used exclusively for finishing interior slopes.Condensation forms on the surface, which will soon lead to swelling and destruction of the structure. You can eliminate such defects by completely reworking the slopes.

Drywall, like plaster slopes, is not able to firmly interact with the plastic frame. This contributes to the formation of cracks at the mating points. The material is quite fragile, which does not exclude the possibility of its punching and deflection during installation.

After installing drywall, you will need priming, puttying and painting the surface to give it a complete appearance, which is not required in the case of using sandwich panels for window slopes. It will take a few more days to complete all the work.

The installation of such slopes is carried out in two ways: frameless and frame

The sequence of installation of plasterboard slopes

Installation of drywall slopes can be carried out in two ways: frame and frameless. With the frame installation method, at the initial stage, the starting profile should be screwed with self-tapping screws, as is the case with the use of sandwich panels for window slopes. It is fixed on the line of joining the plasterboard sheet and the window frame in the groove. A kind of frame is ready, after which you can proceed with installation.

A feature of plasterboard slopes is that the strips of material do not fit tightly to the window frame. A gap is formed, which negatively affects the thermal insulation properties of the opening. This space should be filled with polyurethane foam or mineral wool.

Fastening drywall can be done with liquid nails

Perforated corners are installed at the junction of the gypsum plasterboard panels. The finished surface is primed and putty. After the composition has completely dried, the coating is rubbed with sandpaper to obtain an even base, which is painted in any color with water-based paint.

Subtleties of installation

Installation of multilayer PVC panels can be carried out independently, the main thing is to follow all the rules and instructions for installing such materials. Using the example of window slopes, we will consider the technique of mounting plastic panels at home.

Required tools for installation:

• self-tapping screws, liquid nails, sealant;
• mounting profiles;
• polyurethane foam;

• sandwich panels;
• mounting level;
• cutter knife, electric jigsaw, scissors for cutting metal materials;

• electric drill;
• in some cases, experienced craftsmen use a grinder to cut panels.

Novice builders need to use such a tool with caution, because overdoing it with pressure, the material will break. Before proceeding with the installation of sheets, it is necessary to get rid of dirt (dust, paint, foam)

Sandwich materials are only laid on a clean base. If there is mold, it must be removed, and the surface should be treated with a special impregnation

Before proceeding with the installation of sheets, it is necessary to get rid of dirt (dust, paint, foam). Sandwich materials are only laid on a clean base. If there is mold, it must be removed, and the surface must be treated with a special impregnation.

1. Preparation and measurement of slopes. Using a tape measure, the length and width of the slopes are measured in order to cut the panels to the size of the slope.
2. Installation of profiles. The initial U-shaped profiles (starting profiles) are cut and fastened with self-tapping screws, which are installed along the edges of the profiles, leaving a gap of 15 cm between them.
3. The side sections and the top PVC panel are installed in the plastic profile. The sections are fixed to the wall with liquid nails or polyurethane foam.
4. Areas of abutment to the walls are covered with facing material from the L-shaped profile. The edge profile is installed with liquid nails.
5. Finally, the contact areas are sealed with white silicone sealant.

It is necessary to use polyurethane foam with extreme caution, because it doubles in volume upon exiting. Otherwise, large gaps will form between the laminated sheets and the wall, and all the work will have to be redone

Slopes on balconies and loggias made of sandwich slabs are made similar to the slopes of metal-plastic windows in an apartment.

Peculiarities

Unlike old wooden frames, modern plastic windows are equipped with special ventilation equipment. For this purpose, the upper part of the window frame is folded back to form a narrow opening for fresh air. As a result, air turbulence with sharp temperature changes occurs.

Plasterboard is often used for this purpose, but such building material can freeze through in winter, and caring for it requires a lot of effort.

If the room is built of bricks or reinforced concrete blocks, only sandwich panels can be used to maximize the insulation of the slopes.

The advantages of using sandwich panels are as follows:

• additional noise and thermal insulation is performed. Additional insulation is carried out by means of polyurethane foam for a better connection of the material with the slope;
• does not require constant care and maintenance. Any kind of contamination can be easily washed off with a cleaning solution without damaging the structure;
• high vapor permeability. Unlike plasterboard material, sandwich panels do not get wet and do not crack when exposed to moisture;
• low weight of the structure (weight of 1 m² with a product thickness of 24 mm is 3.9 kg);
• high resistance to mechanical damage;

• resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• stylish design appearance;
• mold and mildew resistance;
• acceptable cost of the product;
• do not require additional registration. The surface of the panels has a structure similar to the surface of plastic windows;
• environmentally friendly material. Does not emit harmful substances, thus does not harm living organisms during operation.

Despite the fact that multi-layer panels have many advantages, some consumers have negative reviews about this building material, such as:

• under the influence of high temperatures, the product turns yellow and deforms;
• improper installation of the material can lead to the formation of gaps and cracks;
• finishing of slopes with sandwich panels cannot be performed if the distance between the hinge and the wall is small. Otherwise, the structure will walk around the perimeter;
• only low quality materials have such disadvantages.

Slope sandwich panels specifications

Sandwich panels are multi-layer frameless building structures. The word "sandwich" (from the English. Sandwich - to layer) means "layered" structure of the building structure.

Properties and fields of application of PVC sandwich panels

The panels are assembled together into wall blocks using a profiled lock connection located in the body of the panel. Sandwich panels belong to a range of lightweight enclosing structures.

PVC - a sandwich panel is a three-layer structure: two rigid PVC sheets between which there is an insulation (expanded polystyrene (extruded or foamed (PSV), extruded - ST, XPS), or in rare cases - polyurethane foam - FPU).

Picture 1PVC Sandwich Panel

PVC sandwich panels with polyurethane foam filling have the best heat-saving characteristics. Polyurethane foam is the most environmentally friendly material. Permitted for use in residential premises. Has the minimum hygroscopicity and the longest service life.

Expanded polystyrene is characterized by high strength, chemical resistance, durability, high thermal insulation properties.

Depending on the climatic conditions and the purpose of the building (reconstruction) object, one or another type of insulation material is used.

Various materials can be used as the outer layer of the plastic sandwich panel:

• Rigid PVC sheet • Foam PVC sheet • HPL

Rigid PVC sheet is the most common material used for slopes in plastic sandwich panels. For the production of sandwich panels with rigid PVC, white sheet material is most often used, the thickness of which varies from 0.8 - 2 mm, the surface of the sheet can be either glossy or matte. The density of this material is 1.4 g / cm3.

Foamed PVC sheets got this name because of the porous internal structure, which is specially obtained in the extrusion production of sheets. Foaming of the plastic occurs at the exit from the extrusion head, while a fine-mesh structure is obtained through the sheet thickness, containing a large percentage of the smallest closed air bubbles. Therefore, in addition to the above properties, PVC sheets have a low density (0.6 g / cm3) and good thermal insulation. Foamed PVC sheets as well as rigid PVC sheets have good moisture resistance. At low temperatures, the impact strength of foamed plastics decreases.

The term HPL means a method of material production: a "bundle" of papers is collected (kraft paper for inner layers, decorative for a surface, an overlay for surface protection) is impregnated with phenol-formaldehyde and amino-formaldehyde resins and pressed in a stacked press under a pressure of 90 to 110 kg / cm2. During pressing, technological equipment is used that determines the texture of the surface. In this capacity, special cushioning metal sheets and matrices are used, the surface of which is a relief image imitating the pores of wood, the surface of a stone, etc. These reliefs are transferred to the surface of the plastic sheet, which makes it possible to obtain various types of surfaces: gloss, "satin", wood pores, "asphalt", etc. HPL is produced only in sheets. The thickness of the laminated plastic sheet for the production of sandwich panels is usually 2 mm. Of all the plastics described above for facing insulation in a sandwich panel, HPL is the most durable and reliable material, and sandwich panels with HPL can be used in operating conditions that involve the greatest stress on the material.

Any of the above-described facing plastics can be coated with a renolith film, which makes it more suitable for decoration. Most often used for decoration purposes sandwich panels with HPL. For slopes and windows, a simple hard matte or glossy white PVC sheet is most often used. The least commonly used panels with foamed PVC.

Properties and structure: are there any downsides?

The outer layer of the structure can be made of different materials.

• Made of rigid PVC sheet. For the production of multilayer material, white sheet material is used. The thickness ranges from 0.8 to 2 mm. The coating of such a sheet is glossy and matte. The density of the sheet is 1.4 g / cm3.
• Made of foamed PVC sheet. The inner part of the structure has a porous structure. Foamed sheets have a low material density (0.6 g / cm3) and good thermal insulation.
• From laminated plastic, which is created by impregnating a pack of decorative, overlay or kraft paper with resins, followed by pressing.

Multi-layer panels can be supplied as ready-made systems that do not require preparatory work for the assembly of the material. The finished structures are attached to the facing material with glue. The second design variation - such panels are assembled using self-tapping screws before the installation technology.

Material features

It is important to purchase high-quality material, since otherwise, under the influence of direct sunlight, the panels may lose their shape and turn yellow

When working with this material, care should be taken with mechanical stress, for example, cutting. The material is quite fragile and the sheet can be damaged if the forces are not calculated

The material is quite fragile and the sheet can be damaged if the forces are not calculated

When working with this material, care should be taken with mechanical stress, for example, cutting. The material is quite fragile and the sheet can be damaged if the forces are not calculated

Sandwich panels should be handled with care to avoid material damage.

If there is not enough space between the window hinge and the wall, this material cannot be installed

It is important to take into account that the window opening when using this material will decrease on both sides by the thickness of the panels

Transportation of products can be difficult as the sheets are large. However, some stores cut them into smaller pieces.

Dimensions (edit)

The parameters of the sandwich panels depend on the equipment used by the manufacturer. However, there are standardized sizes. The maximum panel length can be from 12 to 16 meters. A large size of the product can lead to a fracture of the product under its own weight during installation, and it will also be difficult to transport the material. The width is 100, 115 and 119-120 centimeters, and the thickness can vary from 5 cm to 35 centimeters.

In some cases, the panels are made according to the customer's preferences. There are sandwich panels, the technical characteristics of which allow them to be used for finishing the slopes of windows and doors. The parameters of such panels are 3000 in length, 1150, 1300 or 1500 mm in width, and 10 mm in thickness. In rare cases, the thickness of products can be 24, 32, 40 mm.

Mounting

Installation work of window slopes is carried out quickly enough. You will be able to install the panels in just one day. Finishing the slopes with sandwich panels is a simple matter and you can independently perform all the installation work without having any special experience.

List of tools required for installation:

If necessary, you can additionally insulate the slopes by installing heat-insulating material on them. They can also serve as polyurethane foam. Liquid plastic, PVC-based glue, can serve as a sealant between the slopes and the window. Its advantage is that over time it does not darken and does not spoil the appearance of the window. It is necessary that at least 24 hours have passed after the installation of the window - this is the drying time of the polyurethane foam.

Seven times measure cut once. So, we begin the installation work precisely with the measurements of the slopes, in order to accurately adjust the material to the size of the window. Taking into account the measurements, it is necessary to cut out three stripes, the upper one parallel to the window sill and two side strips.

First we attach the starting profile, which in its shape resembles the letter "P". Initially, the top is fixed. There should be no gaps between the profiles. We fix them with self-tapping screws 8-8.5 mm long, the distance between them should be no more than 15 cm.

With the help of polyurethane foam, we fill in cracks and voids in the slopes. After the foam is dry, carefully trim and flatten it with a cutter. Insert the panel into the already installed upper profile. Side profiles are attached to the top board using self-tapping screws. Also, these profiles are fixed to the wall with a pitch of 150 mm. And the last U-profiles are fixed on the windowsill. Fill the gaps between the starting strips with liquid plastic. It is not recommended to use ordinary sealant, as it turns black over time, and this spoils the appearance of the window. After the liquid plastic has dried in the gaps, install two side panels.

The next final stage is the installation of finishing profiles.We take measurements and cut off three necessary strips: one top and two side ones. It is recommended to cut the finishing strips with a margin of about 2-3 cm, and then shorten them to the required size.

Then we snap the profiles onto the sandwich panel. The strips will overlap in the corners and need to be trimmed. On the profiles at the joining point, we mark the cut with a pencil, and carefully cut them at an angle of 45 degrees. The void between the wall and the structure is filled with polyurethane foam. This will increase the degree of thermal insulation of the window. The junction of the finishing strips can also be covered with PVC glue for a stronger fix.

What are the requirements for the material for the slopes

Regardless of the technology of protective and decorative finishing of the window opening, the finished slopes must meet certain requirements. The design is obliged to steadily perceive various mechanical influences without loss of performance and aesthetic characteristics. It is necessary that the slopes are moisture resistant. This is especially true for outdoor structures. The material should be characterized by durability, immunity to ultraviolet rays and high humidity, temperature extremes.

Slopes must be moisture resistant, wear resistant, have low thermal conductivity

The protective structure of the window should not deform over time. It must be distinguished by a long period of operation without losing its original properties. Due to the fact that the slope panel covers the installation gap, this is the main source of heat loss. It is necessary that the material has a low thermal conductivity, which will provide a good level of heat and sound insulation in the room.

Production technology

Modern production technology is based on gluing the insulation material with the covering sheets by means of polyurethane hot melt glue and compression, which is performed using a heat press.

Required special equipment:

• giving away drive conveyor with variable auto-feeding rate;
• receiving conveyor with variable auto-feeding speed;
• unit for distributing adhesive material;
• car assembly table;
• heat press.

This technology is a series of sequential operations.

• Operation 1. A protective film is applied to the PVC sheet. It is placed on the discharge conveyor, from which, when the system is switched on, it is transferred to the receiving conveyor. During the movement of the sheet along the conveyor under the unit, the glue is uniformly applied to the PVC surface. After one hundred percent distribution of the adhesive mixture on the sheet, the system automatically turns off.
• Operation 2. The PVC sheet is manually placed on the assembly table and fixed to the construction stops.

• Operation 3. A layer of expanded polystyrene (polyurethane foam) is placed on top of the sheet and fixed on special mounting stops.
• Resuming operation 1.
• Repeat operation 2.
• The semi-finished panel is placed in a heat press, which is preheated to the desired temperature.
• The PVC plate is pulled out of the press.

You can learn how to properly cut plastic PVC panels from the video below.