What is vinyl? Raw material, Additives.
Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Salt are
the raw materials used in the production of Poly Vinyl Chloride
(PVC) Resin. Westech's vinyl compound is formulated from premium
grade raw materials, which include Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
Resin, UV inhibitors, impact modifiers, stabilizers and toners.
Westech's formulation is built upon Westlake's many years of
technical experience in the PVC industry. Using only premium grade
raw materials in conjunction with superior technical formulation
capabilities produces a vinyl product that is far above the vinyl
industry as a whole.
How is vinyl fence made? Profiles & Fabrication.
Profiles: Vinyl fence starts out as
a PVC powder (Resin) that, when blended with all the required
ingredients of our formulation is called compound. This compound
then is fed into an extruder. With the proper amount of heat,
pressure and mixing via screws in the extruder, the compound
becomes malleable vinyl. This vinyl is then fed through a die in
the shape of the finished profile. Using vacuum technology to keep
the soft pliable vinyl in the proper shape, water is used to cool
the vinyl into its final rigid state. (see
Engineering/Technologies)
Fabrication: A Westech Fence fabricator cuts the wide variety of
profiles to the proper length for the design of fence required.
The fabricator then routes holes into the rails, so that pickets
can be inserted into them, then holes are routed into the posts so
that the rails can be inserted into them. They then may assemble
the completed fence sections or leave knocked down for
distribution. (see Distribution Strategy)
How is vinyl fence put together?
Most assembly of vinyl fencing is
done by snapping the rails into the post using rails that are
tabbed with a special tabbing, or notching tool. Depending upon
the styles of fence, different fasteners can be used. Vinyl
channels, which are often used in the fabrication of Privacy and
Semi-Privacy styles, are attached using rivets or screws.
Will a Westech fence mildew?
Mildew feeds off of organic
materials. Vinyl (PVC) is non-organic and therefore does not
support mildew. Mildew that grows on Vinyl is actual feeding off
of the organic materials (dirt) that have become embedded in or
stuck to the vinyl. Westech fence profiles have a high gloss and
smooth, non-porous surface that makes it very difficult for
organic materials to attach to, and therefore, for mildew to
thrive on. This, combined with the use of non-chalking TiO2 helps
to prevent most mildew growth. The surface of vinyl fence that
contains chalking TiO2 deteriorates at a much more accelerated
level compared to non-chalking TiO2 creating a rougher surface
that dirt and therefore mildew can attach itself more easily to.
Only under very consistently damp conditions will the possibility
of mildew occur. If mildew does appear, a mild solution of bleach
and water will easily remove it.
Does Westech Fence chalk?
Westech's use of durable grade
non-chalking TiO2 in their vinyl (PVC) formulation ensures that
there will be a very minimal chalking of our fence products. All
vinyl fencing will chalk sooner or later, but with the superior
protection capabilities of our TiO2 this will be kept to a bare
minimum. Chalking is the deterioration of the vinyl surface
thereby exposing the TiO2 particles to the surface. The white
powder that you can wipe off from the surface of most vinyl fences
is the TiO2 particles mixed with deteriorated vinyl (PVC).
Westech's vinyl is formulated for exceptional beauty over a full
lifetime.
Can I paint my vinyl fence?
Westech's vinyl products are
engineered to retain their beauty and good looks throughout their
lifetime. The only reason to use paints on our vinyl products
would be to change the color of the product. Westech Fence does
not recommend painting vinyl (PVC). There are paints that are
available to paint vinyl but painting or otherwise treating
Westech's Vinyl products voids the lifetime warranty.
How does the cost of vinyl fencing compare with traditional
wood fences?
The initial cost of vinyl (PVC)
when compared to wood is slightly higher for the material costs in
most regions of the country. However with the ever-increasing cost
of wood this difference is becoming very minor in some regions.
When all the varied cost factors are taken into account over the
life of your fence, vinyl (PVC) becomes the true money saver.
Factors such as having to replace the wood fence in 5-15 years,
yearly maintenance costs (labor, paint, replacement boards, etc),
and the effects on the environment because of arsenic in treated
wood or the toxic chemicals needed to maintain a wood fence show
that wood truly isn't as cost effective in the end. Some costs are
hard to measure such as the costs to you of having a fence that
looks in need of maintenance. The cost difference quickly
vanishes, and in fact vinyl becomes a sound and financially viable
investment in the future of your home. Once your Westech vinyl
(PVC) fence is installed you do not have to worry about painting,
nails rusting, boards rotting, or splinters.
Will Westech vinyl Fence turn yellow?
Westech vinyl (PVC) is formulated
using a superior durable grade of non-chalking TiO2 that protects
the vinyl (PVC) from the harmful effects of the Sun's UV rays. As
long as your fence is kept clean, with a periodic wash from a
garden hose, it will not turn yellow.
What effects does my vinyl fence have on our environment?
Westech vinyl (PVC) products are
safe and non-toxic. They will not breakdown and release harmful
chemicals into the ground and do not require toxic chemicals
(stains, waterproofing, paint, paint thinner) for regular upkeep
like treated lumber can. No trees are used in the manufacture of
Westech vinyl fences. Because of the exceptional long life of
Westech fence profiles, several times the amount of wood that is
needed to manufacture the same fence in wood can be saved over the
lifetime of the Westech vinyl fence. If the Westech vinyl ever
needs to be taken down it can be recycled into other products,
such as hoses and watering cans.
What is virgin vinyl?
This is the term used for vinyl
product that does not contain recycled products. Recycled products
that may be imported into an extrusion plant may contain
impurities or lower grade vinyl which can seriously affect the
finished product's resilience, impact resistance and UV
inhibition. Westech uses only virgin ingredients in the extruding
of our products.
Can a vinyl fence break?
Any fence will break when enough
force is applied. However, Westech vinyl (PVC) profiles are
formulated using only the highest quality impact modifiers in
precisely engineered amounts to ensure the greatest impact
resistance available. Westech vinyl (PVC) profiles are engineered
to withstand higher impacts than the minimum required by ASTM.
Glossary
PVC or uPVC:
Poly Vinyl Chloride. Can refer to
the resin used in Vinyl production, or can refer to the finished
product itself, including all additives. Thus, PVC is Vinyl. In
many countries, the term uPVC is used. This simply refers to
Ultra-Violet (UV) protected PVC. All PVC used in the manufacture
of exterior products by reputable manufacturers is UV - inhibited,
therefore, is uPVC.
Vinyl:
See PVC above
Resin:
The base material used in the
production of materials. For Vinyl products, Vinyl (PVC) resin is
used. There are several grades and several qualities of PVC Resin.
For example, there is high-quality Siding Grade Resin, and
low-quality Pipe Grade Resin. Different manufacturers may have
higher quality or more consistent quality resin too.
TiO2:
Titanium DiOxide. This is the most
common ingredient used for Ultra Violet ray protection. TiO2 is a
white pigment that reacts with Water and Oxygen. Water, or
moisture in the air is necessary for this product to do its job
effectively. It is not noxious, in fact, TiO2 is commonly used as
a preservative or colorant in baked goods like the little white
donuts you can buy at the corner store. There are at least 2
grades of TiO2: Uncoated, or Chalking Grade, and Coated, Durable
or Non-Chalking Grade. The primary difference, apart from the
higher cost of the non-chalking grade, is that it will chalk at a
much slower rate, therefore providing a more lustrous finish for a
longer period of time |
