Wood as a building material has been in use for over a century globally especially in America. Despite its many positive qualities that make it invaluable for construction projects, wood is still prone to compromise its integrity over time. As a consequence, it requires a shield/armor from natural hostile forces of rain, ice, wind and sun.
Thus the need for trim “wrapping/capping” with strong materials to prevent it from mutilation in the long run.
In order to maintain unique quality and texture, custom-made products of PVC-coated aluminum and vinyl have been invented to secure the wood profiles. The trim capping process provides the wood with skillfully tailored armor covering to guarantee long life span void of wear, tear and maintenance cost.
Although both PVC-coated aluminum and vinyl possess the advantages of minimized maintenance cost, the latter offer greater value proposition when it comes to lifespan, sturdiness, pricing, and aesthetics.
For achieving proper perspective to make wise choices that reduces unnecessary expenditures in years to come, it becomes imperative to acquire a clear understanding of these alternative options. Thus, an accurate evaluation of common wrapping materials under review will impact on informed decisions during material selection.
What comparison factors should be considered in using PVC Coated Aluminum as against Vinyl Trims?
Life Span
Looking at PVC coated aluminum vis-a-vis vinyl trim with respect to lifespan and strength alongside cost implications on the long run, sturdiness is a factor never to be conceded in the comparative use of these two elements because it plays a major role in the finished output over time as material strength determines structural sustainability.
Thus the deduced disparity between the two materials validate PVC coated aluminum having sturdy characteristics with enhanced durability level than vinyl. Nonetheless, vinyl trim still maintains a competitive value of resistance over PVC coated trims but a plus factor credits aluminum material with tendencies to either withstand severely high or negatively low temperatures when lined side by side with vinyl.
While a minus factor for vinyl is the prone-ness to aging and maintenance cost accrued to retain a good appeal. Despite vinyl being marked for in-built impact resistance, the aging factor discredits it due to attributes of lesser resistance to weather, cracks and stain.
Although both materials have the capacity to fight moisture, PVC-coated aluminum survives higher hot atmospheric conditions than vinyl. Utilizing an average index, it can be clearly stated that aluminum is stronger, friendly to maintain, and thus largely more cost effective as against vinyl trims. This does not rule out the sustainability of vinyl usage especially for geographic regions with pleasant weather conditions where less polishing attention is required.
Pricing
The prevailing market price of aluminum trim vs vinyl trim is an important consideration to ascertain affordability and actualization of specified bill of works. Although the two materials have profitability when used either for the purpose of property sales, rents or ownerships, the available market prices go a long way to influence the Client’s choice and ultimately the final value of the building.
In terms of initial cost, the PVC aluminum and vinyl trim are said to be almost equivalent although the aluminum being slightly higher. But the long term cost implications of vinyl trim far outweighs what is obtainable with aluminum trim apart from its vulnerability to depreciation by harsh climatic conditions.
On the other hand, PVC-coated aluminum relieves the buyer of the periodic burden of spending for maintenance in future unlike vinyl. The use of PVC-coated aluminum assures lifetime peace of mind for those who decide to employ its usage.
Aesthetics
This factor prioritizes the elegant attraction, appeal and ecstatic feel of the finished apartment. Aesthetics also refer to the beauty/enchantment of buildings that makes property owners, investors and prospective off-takers value, love and appreciate their fixed assets. Irrespective of any intention by landlords, the place of aesthetics never gets toyed with. No matter the trim type under consideration, the final outlook of selection would most definitely go a long way to determine the speed of sales as a result of aesthetics.
The application of vinyl capping on aesthetics is achieved via custom-fit craftsmanship as this wrap’s attribute of smooth appearance makes it appear always original and clean-able irrespective of any color shade. In contrast to the vinyl wraps, the PVC-coated aluminum maintains an appealing texture as obtainable in regular polished wood.
The textured surface hides errors that make the PVC-coated aluminum possess improved seamless surfaces over vinyl wraps which appear glossy and plane. It also provides the natural finish based on popular demand knocking out vinyl trims under this factor.
Customized Shapes
Considering the flexibility of usage and application of both materials, the PVC-coated aluminum offers more ease of application on architraves, cornices, fascia and other technical applications because it offers various molds for contractors and builders.
Whereas the vinyl requires careful details of dimensioning, trimming and application by professionals who are skilled in its usage. Thus the lead time of delivery and perfection imbibed does not just vary with competency or craftsmanship. It also relies on the type of pre-ordered trim profiles and wrap materials to be utilized during construction.
Customized Profiles
In the cases of fresh projects, any selected trim can work for openings that have parallel, horizontal and vertical lines that meet at angle 90 as pre-molded PVC serves this purpose. On the other hand, when remodeling or reconstructing existing structures, most likely there would be challenges using PVC as it will not fit this purpose.
Although minor adjustments can be done, this might prove difficult. As opposed to the vinyl wraps which can be used to trace any shape or form, saving the stress of detailed processes required with PVC profiles.
PVC Coated Aluminum is the Right Choice for Your Next Project
In wrapping up, the overall benefits of PVC coated aluminum trim counts more in number than the vinyl wraps thereby positioning it as better in appeal, lifespan, maintenance cost, surviving adverse climates and even flexibility.
