Is PVC wall cladding safe to use in homes?
Yes! Our PVC wall cladding, most commonly referred to as vinyl cladding, is fully industry-tested, certified, and approved for safety and performance. All of our products meet strict industry safety standards.
What is PVC wall cladding?
PVC wall cladding is a durable, low-maintenance building material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is designed to protect exterior walls from the elements while improving insulation and enhancing the appearance of your home. Unlike traditional timber or fibre cement, PVC cladding is lightweight, weather-resistant, and requires minimal upkeep, making it a popular choice for Australian homes.
Fire safety
Because of its chlorine base, PVC wall cladding does not ignite quickly and is naturally flame-retardant. Independent testing, including the Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source, shows that PVC is one of the cladding materials with the lowest radiant panel index.
With ignition temperatures significantly higher than common framing timber, PVC wall cladding is slow to ignite. It will self-extinguish once the heat source is removed. These strong fire-safe characteristics have been recognised for decades, with PVC approved for use as a residential wiring insulator in the electrical industry.
Fire toxicity
The by-products of PVC combustion are no more hazardous than those produced by other common natural or synthetic building materials. One by-product, Hydrogen Chloride (HCl), is an irritant with a pungent odour that can actually acts as an early warning sign, encouraging evacuation.
Importantly, since the 1970s, the production and use of PVC building products has grown significantly, yet fire incidence and fatalities have steadily declined.
Dioxins from accidental fire
Systematic investigations of large-scale accidental fires in Germany, Sweden, and Canada have indicated dioxins will be produced in such fires, regardless of whether PVC materials are present. The levels detected are extremely low and pose no threat to human health or the environment.
