Polymers in construction
A polymer is a substance which has a molecular structure built up chiefly or completely from a large number of similar units bonded together. In basic terms, polymers are very long molecules typically made up of many thousands of repeat units.
Many synthetic and organic materials are based on polymers, including; plastics, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, adhesives, foams, paints and sealants. Polymer materials account for the highest growth area in construction materials. Well-established applications of polymers in construction include products used for flooring, windows, cladding, pipes, membranes, seals, insulation, and so on. With thousands of commercially available polymers new applications are emerging all the time.
However, the introduction of polymeric materials has brought with it new concerns, particularly relating to their longevity, how they are affected by ageing and weathering, the effects of pollution, environmental and sustainability issues, fire performance, re-use, recycling or disposal at their end of life and so on.
Examples of polymer materials in construction include:
- Epoxy resins: Solid resin, Terrazzo flooring, anchor fixings and adhesives.
- Ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE): Fabric structures.
- Ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA): Solar panel encapsulants.
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS): Concrete moulds, insulation and packaging.
- Polycarbonate: Lighting housings, fittings in hot water systems and glazing.
- Polyester: FRP Bridge sections, cladding panels, sinks, surfaces and coatings.
- Polyethylene: Foam underlay, damp-proof membranes and coatings.
- Polyisobutylene (PIB): Sealants and waterproof membranes.
- Polymethylmethacrylate / Acyrlic (PMMA): Surfaces and sinks.
- Polypropylene (PP): Sound insulation, and pipes.
- Polyurethane (PU): Sealants and concrete jointing.
- Polyvinylchloride (PVC): Sealants, concrete jointing and fabric structures.
- Rubber: Bridge bearings and flooring.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Acrylic.
- Bitumen binder may delay road surface deterioration.
- Carbon fibre.
- Composites.
- EVA film.
- Fabric structures.
- Glass reinforced plastic GRP.
- Graphene.
- Nylon.
- Plastic.
- Plastic cladding.
- Plastic coating market.
- Polycarbonate plastic.
- Polyethylene.
- Polymeric flooring.
- Polypropylene.
- Polystyrene.
- Polyurethane (PUR).
- Polyvinyl chloride PVC.
- Rubber.
- Sealants.
- Types of materials.
- Wood plastic composites market for construction.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.