Are Plastic Soffit Boards Good for the Environment?
A soffit board serves both a decorative and functional role in your home’s roofing system. Soffits cover your eaves and protect your house from wind and weather elements. They also disguise the ventilation to your attic and prevent birds, bats and squirrels from entering your home.
Origins of Plastics in Construction
Often homeowners choose exterior soffits made of plastic because of their easy maintenance and durability. This synthetic plastic polymer is called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Construction companies soon adopted this technology after its usable introduction in 1926, as items can be shaped easily and completed quickly. Environmental issues were not a primary concern then. However, the plastics industry has made significant progress in reducing its impact on the environment.
Plastic Progress
Over the years, an unplasticized version of PVC, or UPVC, was developed. Through the use of improved stabilizer systems, its eco-friendly status has increased dramatically. It is considered non-toxic, and therefore safe. Many environmentally conscious homeowners opt for UPVC fascia and soffits for their homes. These products are quite prevalent in the building industry today and are safer than ever before.
UPVC is Environmentally Friendly
The plastics industry initially used lead as a stabilizing agent but removed it from production in 2007 due to possible health threats associated with its use. Now, a primary ingredient used to make UPVC is salt, which drains nothing from the environment, either in the short or long term.
UPVC is long-lasting and requires minimal replacements, reducing the impact on the environment. It is both durable and recyclable, making it an environmentally conscious choice of material for your home. This material is also resistant to water, cracking, rotting, and chipping. The most common type of UPVC soffit is both cost-effective and sustainable.
The lead-free soffit board is one of many ways companies utilize environmentally friendly UPVC in modern home construction. For the best results, always hire skilled professionals to install these weather protecting elements for your home.