Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC)

uPVC or rigid PVC is often used in the building industry as a low-maintenance material, particularly in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and in the United States where it is known as vinyl, or vinyl siding.^[17][18] The material comes in a range of colors and finishes, including a photo-effect wood finish, and is used as a substitute for painted wood, mostly for window frames and sills when installing double glazing in new buildings, or to replace older single glazed windows. It has many other uses including fascia, and siding or weatherboarding. The same material has almost entirely replaced the use of cast iron for plumbing and drainage, being used for waste pipes, drainpipes, gutters and downspouts.^[19]

Due to environmental concerns use of PVC is discouraged by some local authorities in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.^[20][21]