Wood and PVC are two of the most often used building materials. But, while you may find these materials all around a house, 2 inch cove molding are where you’ll see them most frequently.
Each substance has advantages and disadvantages of its own.
Whether rebuilding an entire house or just a single room, you may need to choose between wood and composite PVC mouldings. This article will compare the two types of materials to help you choose the suitable material for your home.
Wooden Moulds
One of the most often used building and housing materials is wood. Wood is chopped and shaped, refined, and appropriately treated during production to increase durability.
A fundamental saw is used to cut the flat boards or tree slabs in the initial stages of woodworking. After that, specialized equipment is utilized to shape uneven edges and fix flaws in unfinished components. Finally, a precisely trimmed piece of wood is the end product.
The advantages of wood mouldings
Wood offers several advantages when used as a material for mouldings, from sustainability to customization.
- Warm, natural colours
Wood has always been prized for its warm, natural colours. Crown moulding provide a range of styles that require little to no extra modification because of the wide diversity of wood species and the natural, organic colorations of each one.
- Sustainability
Wood is a renewable resource since it is made from wood from trees. Trees that have been felled for timber can be planted again. Cove moulding is of the that solely uses sustainable loggers.
- Environmentally responsible
Green building material is wood. Wood is biodegradable and has little environmental impact because it is natural. However, some finishes, like paints, varnishes, and stains, negatively influence the environment. Therefore, other ecological best practices should be followed to reduce this effect.
- Re-cuttable and re-usable
Wood may be carefully removed from walls or other surfaces and reused because it is malleable. It can also be recut if a different place has to be accommodated for it or if the initial cut was done improperly.
- Simple Personalization
Wood may be easily altered, unlike PVC. In addition, wood is a surface that takes caulk, paint, and stains well. This provides builders and consumers with various alternatives for the appearance and texture of wood mouldings.
Despite all of its advantages, wood moulding has a few disadvantages
- Wood Has Holes
Wood is porous, as opposed to PVC and polymers. It will therefore collect moisture if not properly treated, according to this. If untreated wood is exposed to water for an extended time, it will become permanently damaged and discoloured. Significant exposure to water and extreme heat can harm even treated wood.
- Wood Costs a Lot
The major disadvantage of wood mouldings is frequently the cost. Unfortunately, wood often costs the most when compared to other options.
- PVC Composite Moulding
The acronym PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. PVC is created by pumping a moldable liquid into it. As a result, these goods are solid and straightforward to use. In addition, PVC parts are simpler to install in any place.
Most of the time, these mouldings are utilized to make tables, boards, kickboards, and other items for the building industry.
Both homeowners and tradespeople can profit from PVC mouldings. They are prized for being strong, resilient, and affordable. More information on each of these advantages is provided below.
Advantages of PVC moulding
- Price
PVC is more affordable than other materials, such as wood. Because of this, it is a desirable choice for anyone on a strict budget.
- Resistance And Resilience
Wood and other organic materials are vulnerable to water damage and long-term natural deterioration. PVC, in contrast, is impervious to water and won’t break down. This makes it a cost-effective alternative in places where other materials aren’t appropriate, such as restrooms or open spaces in a house or building. Additionally, pest- and insect-resistant is PVC.
- Easy Alternatives
It’s not necessary to treat or paint PVC moulding. PVC moulding is often white, which complements many houses. As-is installation is made simple by this.
Negative aspects of PVC moulding
Despite these advantages, PVC mouldings have several significant disadvantages, such as installation, environmental effects, and lack of personalization.
- Very Little Customization
PVC mouldings are challenging to paint and cannot be discoloured. This indicates that the modification choices for PVC are restricted. This shouldn’t be a problem if you only want plain white moulding. PVC moulding, however, will fall short if you wish to add colour or create an accent in a space.
- Installation Challenges
PVC mouldings need to have nail holes already drilled since the material is fragile. As a result, the moulding may fracture or even break if you drive a nail directly through it. This may render a whole length of PVC moulding unusable in some circumstances. Additionally, cutting PVC moulding with a bare hand or power saw can easily result in damage.
- Poor Options for Reuse
PVC mouldings are difficult to reuse. In addition, when PVC is removed from a wall, it frequently sustains damage that renders the entire moulding useless.
- Non-biodegradable
PVC moulding is a lousy option for contractors and homeowners that care about the environment. It isn’t biodegradable, wasn’t made with sustainable materials, and greenhouse gases and chemical wastes were produced during the original production.
- Selecting the Best Moulding Choice
Both wood and PVC mouldings have advantages and disadvantages. To determine the better option for your project, it’s critical to consider both the advantages and disadvantages.