UPVC and PVC pipes are very similar in many ways, the difference in them is how they are

used.
Regular PVC pipes are used in situations where resistance to corrosive materials is desired. UPVC is
used in situations where a sturdy low maintenance material is desired. It can also be noted that one
major difference does exist between the two, PVC is more flexible than UPVC making it a better
choice for a number of applications where that property is valued. And one more major difference is
that PVC is most often used for plumbing while UPVC can be used for a wide variety of purposes
such as decorative protective trim.
PVC is popular due to its relatively low cost and is valued for its chemical inertness and flame and
smoke retardant properties. It is used for a wide variety of plumbing applications such as pumps,
filters, duct, strainers, and valves. PVC has amazing strength and can withstand high impacts and can
be used in hot and cold low pressure systems. It is a great substitute for metal in places where
corrosion is causing high maintenance costs.
UPVC is most often the choice of the building industry as a low-maintenance and relatively low cost
building material. It can come in a wide range of finishes as well as colors and as such is often used
as a substitute for wood in places such as window frames, siding, and weatherboarding. It can also
serve the traditional PVC roles in plumbing, waste pipes, gutters, and downpipes.
Both PVC and UPVC are crucial in helping contracting builders and construction companies stay
under budget while doing a solid and reliable job in new construction projects as well maintenance
jobs of all shapes and types where strong and sturdy drainage and plumbing solutions are required.

The Differences Between UPVC & PVC

Pipes
By Wilhelm Schnotz, eHow Contributor

PVC and uPVC pipe are different forms of plastic pipe.

To the casual observer, there's little difference between PVC pipe and uPVC pipe. Both are
plastic pipe used extensively in building. Beyond the superficial similarities, the two types of
pipe are manufactured differently and thus have different properties and slightly different
applications in building and other industrial processes and most repair-work exposure to
plastic pipe is to PVC rather than uPVC.

1. Manufacture
o

PVC and uPVC are largely made of the same material. Polyvinylchloride is a
polymer that can be heated and molded to create very hard, strong compounds
such as piping. Because of its rigid properties once it's formed, manufacturers
frequently blend additional plasticizing polymers into PVC. These polymers
make PVC pipe more bendable and, generally, easier to work with than if it
remains unplasticized. Those plasticizing agents are left out when uPVC is
manufactured---the name is short for unplasticized polyvinylchloride---which
is nearly as rigid as cast iron pipe.

Handling
o

For installation purposes, PVC and uPVC pipe are generally handled in the
same fashion. Both can be easily cut with plastic-cutting hack saw blades or
power tools designed to cut PVC pipe and both are joined using gluing
compounds rather than through soldering. Because uPVC pipe doesn't contain
the plasticizing polymers that make PVC slightly flexible, it must be cut
perfectly to size because it doesn't allow for give.

Applications
o

PVC pipe is used as a replacement for copper and aluminum piping on nonpotable water, replacing metal piping in waste lines, irrigation systems and
pool circulation systems. Because it resists corrosion and degradation from
biological sources, it's a durable product to use in plumbing systems. It's easily
cut and its joints don't require soldering, fastening with glue instead, and
offers a little amount of give when pipes aren't sized perfectly, so PVC pipe is
frequently chosen by handymen as an easier-to-use alternative to metal piping.
The use of uPVC isn't quite as widespread in plumbing in America, though its
durability has helped it to become the material of choice for plumbing sewage
lines, replacing cast-iron pipe. It's also frequently used in manufacturing
exterior drainage systems such as rain gutter downspouts.
The only type of plastic pipe that should be used for transmission of drinking
water is cPVC pipe.