Information about http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/HBN_PVC_Free_Alternatives_chart.pdf
PVC Free…
Tags: acoustical ceiling tile, bath shower curtains, building material, gutters, irrigation, low slope roofs, piers, piping fittings, plastic lumber, pvc products, railing, resilient floor, resilient flooring, roof membranes, sewer systems, siding, wall coverings, waterproofing, window frames, wood flooring,Pages: 24
Language: english
Created: Fri Mar 31 10:45:23 2006
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PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Page CSI CATEGORY
2 *** 02480 - MARINE WORK *** (Piers, docking)
2 *** 02600 - DRAINAGE & SEWER SYSTEMS (piping)*** see 15100 for full discussion of pipes
3 *** 02810 - IRRIGATION (piping & fittings) *** (note many of these companies make both PE & PVC products)
4 *** 02820 - FENCING ***
4 *** 06150 - DECKING & RAILING (see full HBN report on plastic lumber at www.healthybuilding.net) ***
4 *** 07100 - WATERPROOFING (Water stops) ***
5 *** 07450 - SIDING ***
7 *** 07530 - ROOF MEMBRANES for low slope roofs***
7 *** 07712 GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS ***
8 *** 08000 - DOORS & WINDOW FRAMES ***
9 *** 08800 - GLAZING ACCESSORIES - TAPE ***
10 *** 09510 - ACOUSTICAL CEILING TILE ***
11 *** 09640 - WOOD FLOORING (incl bamboo)*** (as substitute for 09650 vinyl resilient floor)
11 *** 09650 - RESILIENT FLOORING *** (see resilient flooring chart at www.healthybuilding.net for more detail)
13 *** 09680 - CARPET (PVC is used for backing) *** (See carpet chart for more detail)
15 *** 09700 - 09900 - WALL COVERINGS ***
16 *** 10260 - DOOR and WALL PROTECTION ***
17 *** 10400 - SIGNAGE ***
17 *** 10800 - BATH (shower curtains) ***
18 *** 12490 - WINDOW TREATMENTS *** See 9700 wall coverings for more discussion of fabrics
19 *** 12500 - FURNITURE ***
19 *** 12500 - FURNITURE/UPHOLSTERY *** See 9700 wall coverings for more discussion of fabrics
20 *** 15100 & 15400 - BUILDING SERVICES PIPING & PLUMBING (pipes)***
21 *** 15100 & 15400 - BUILDING SERVICES PIPING & PLUMBING (corrosion wrap) ***
21 *** 15450 - FUEL OIL AND GASOLINE SYSTEMS ***
22 *** 16100 - ELECTRICAL CABLES ***
23 *** 16000 - CONDUIT, DUCT & EMT & JUNCTION BOXES ***
This list surveys many of the primary categories of building materials where PVC is commonly used and is organized by the CSI numbering system
commonly used in commercial building specifications. While there are products for all building types represented here, the emphasis is on materials
suitable for commercial/institutional buildings. It is intended to provide a representative sampling of products and materials that do not contain PVC and
are commercially available for a variety of applications. It is not intended to be comprehensive. In a rapidly changing market, the completeness and
accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed.
Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement of any product or manufacturer, nor any warranty of the appropriateness of listed products for a
particular application.
Replication of this information for educational purposes is permitted with credit and the inclusion of these disclaimers.
3/31/2006 update
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 1 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
features, installation, use,
buy, install,
application, composition maintenance, performance use & life cycle contact info
maintain
/durability
*** 02480 - MARINE WORK *** (Piers, docking)
Sylvania, Sante
Sylvania FSC certified decking and
FSC certified wood Fe, NM, 800-468- www.certifiedwood.com
Massaranduba marine wood 6139
Tropical wood. Check for FSC
Greenheart certification of sustainable
harvest
Concrete
Coated Steel
*** 02600 - DRAINAGE & SEWER SYSTEMS (piping)*** see 15100 for full discussion of pipes
Advanced Drain-
HDPE (High Density age Systems,
ADS Drainage www.ads-pipe.com
Polyethylene) Hilliard, OH 800-
821-6710
Hancor, Inc.,
minimum 50% recycled (30% performance exceeds AASHTO
EcoFirst Findlay, OH www.hancor.com
post consumer) for drainage M294 requirements
888-FOR PIPE
Post industrial recycled for Prinsco, Prinsburg,
Recycled HDPE EcoFlo www.prinsco.com
drainage MN 800-992-1725
Plastic Drain Tile,
Wisconsin Plastic Post industrial recycled for
Jefferson WI 800- www.draintile.com
Drain Tile drainage
362-6642
Copper
Ductile Iron
Concrete
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 2 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*** 02810 - IRRIGATION (piping & fittings) *** (note many of these companies make both PE & PVC products)
Copper many widely available
Jain Irrigation,
Jain pipe & fittings Columbus, OH www.jains.com
888-473-7539
Antelco, www.berryhilldrip.com/Po
Antelco PE pipe and acetal fittings Longwood FL 800- lyPg.htm
869-7597, Berry
Hill Irrigation
DripRite Irrigation
Drip Rite pipe & fittings Roseville, CA 916- www.dripirr.com
797-8707
Isoc Industries,
Isco pipe & fittings Louisville, KY 800- www.isco-pipe.com
345-ISCO
HDPE
Pepco pipe and low flow fittings Pepco, Fresno CA www.pepcoirrigation.com
800-695-7171
Freedom Plastics www.freedomplastics.co
Freedom Plastics PE pipe only. Also make PVC
800-356-9432 m
Netafim Fersno,
Netafin PE pipe only. Also make PVC www.Netafim-usa.com
CA 559 453 6800
Star Nursery,
Star irrigation supplies www.yardsupply.com
Henderson, NV
Oxford Plastics
www.oxfordplasticsinc.co
Oxford PE Pipe only Embro, ON
m
800.263.0502
DigCorp Vista CA
Dig complete irrigation kits www.digcorp.com
(760) 727-0914
Recycled Tire
Aquapour PE Soaker hose Many web distributors
Rubber & HDPE
Irriline, Vancouver,
HDPE & Aluminum Irriline BC, (604) 608- www.irriline.com
4315
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 3 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*** 02820 - FENCING ***
Claims to outlast PVC, have better Master Halco, 888-
Galvanized alternative to vinyl clad
Permafused II UV resistance. In black, green, tan, MHFENCE, www.fenceonline.com
steel/Polyolefin galvanized chain link
brown Orange CA
*** 06150 - DECKING & RAILING (see full HBN report on plastic lumber at www.healthybuilding.net) ***
*** 07100 - WATERPROOFING (Water stops) ***
JPS Earth Shield,
TPV (Thermo- elastomeric rubber ribbed
JPS Earth Shield *Pro: withstands high temperatures Lk Elsinore, CA, www.jpspecialties.com
plastic vulcanizite) center bulb preformed fittings
800-821-3859
Henry, Huntington
non swelling preformed
Bitumen asphalt Henry Synkoflex Park, CA, 323-583- www.henry.com
adhesive
5000
Henry, Huntington
Butyl rubber/ clay Henry Hydroflex expands with water contact Park, CA, 323-583- www.henry.com
5000
Cetco, Arlington
Butyl Rubber/
CETCO RX expands with water contact Heights, Ill, 800- www.cetco.com
Bentonite 527-9948
MME, Miss-
Butyl rubber/ clay MME Hydrotite expands with water contact issauga, Ontario, www.multiurethanes.com
800-663-6633
Beware: Green Streak also makes &
Green Streak expands with water contact, Ontario, CA, 800-
Butyl rubber/ clay sells PVC and chlorinated rubber www.greenstreak.com
SwellStop for non moving joints
stops
325-9504
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 4 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*** 07450 - SIDING ***
Note that PVC siding has been connected with mold problems due to entrapment of moisture
Pro: Third party Forest Ethics
www.forestethics.org/htm
verification of sustainable database of
l/eng/468.shtml
forestry suppliers
flooring, plywood, molding
laminates, some siding ,
Almquist Lumber,
melamine; not all FSC. FSC
Almquist Lumber Blue Lake, CA, www.almquistlumber.com
certified woods are the
707-668-5652
redwood, tan, oak, and
madrone.
FSC Certified Big Creek Lumber,
FSC redwood; they do
Sustainably Big Creek Davenport, CA, www.big-creek.com
flooring, siding, framing.
800-464-2770
harvested wood
ForestChoice,
FSC cedar siding - T&G,
CedarPro Stockton, CA, www.forestchoice.com
bevel & log cabin
(209) 932-5008
Menominee,
Menominee Tribal FSC multiple species, siding, www.menominee.edu/mt
Neopit, WI, 715-
Enterprises decking.
756-2314
e
FSC certified and salvaged Windfall, Olympia,
Windfall Lumber
flooring, cedar and fir siding WA, 360-352-2250 www.windfalllumber.com
*Pro: SCS certified 50% Collins Company,
CollinsWood
Engineered wood Lap board siding recycled/reclaimed wood Portland, OR, 800- www.collinswood.com
TruWood FSC certified available 329-1219
*Pro: no formaldehyde
binder, uses fast growing Louisiana Pacific,
OSB (Oriented Board siding of aspen and 25 year warranty (prorated after 5
Louisiana Pacific species instead of old Portland, OR, 800- http://www.lpcorp.com/
Strand Board) pine and MDI binder yrs)
growth *Con: MDI 648-6893
hazardous in manufacture
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 5 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*Pro: combined sheathing
& siding = less material
one of lowest
use *Con: needs higher Tacoma, WA, 253-
Textured plywood APA T1-11 Board siding cost www.apawood.org
quality logs than OSB. 565-6600
alternatives
Uses phenol
formaldehyde binder
Many. Stucco
*Con: cement has high Manufacturers
Coating with cement and lime less than brick,
Integral color can make painting embodied energy, Assoc or yellow www.stuccomfgassoc.co
Stucco Many or polymer (acrylic or butyl) or more than
unnecessary polymers release toxins in pages under m
combination others
manufacture stucco for local
contractor
Most $$, but
longest lasting, Many. Brick
Brick Many Masonry facing Durable low maintenance www.bia.org
least Industry Assoc
maintenance
competitive
*Pro: wood process waste James Hardie
James Hardie, Board or shingle siding of Durable (50 year warranty) low w/metal,
Fiber cement fiber *Con: high embodied Building Products, www.jameshardie.com
Hardie Board wood waste and cement maintenance
energy in cement
plastics, OSB,
800-942-7343
hard board
similar
Durable, 3 yr unlimited, 2 owner 50 yr *Pro: all waste materials,
Polyethyelene/ Board siding of PE (PC) and w/metal, fiber Boise Cascade
Boise HomePlate prorated warranty, 16' lengths, wood no formaldehyde or other www.bc.com/homeplate/
wood wood waste (PC & PI+C70)
heft & look binders
cement, OSB, 866-274-6758
hardboard
Low maintenance, 8yr to life prorated Miami, FL Nailite, www.nailiteinternational.c
Nailite Board or shingle siding.
warranty 888-300-0070 om
Board or shingle siding. Note
Certainteed Cedar Low maintenance, 50 year failure CertainTeed, 800-
Certainteed also makes vinyl www.certainteed.com
Impressions siding as well. warranty, 7 year "excessive fade" 233-8990;
Alcoa Home
Polypropylene Alcoa Mastic Beware: Alcoa makes many Exteriors, www.mastic.com
Cedar Discovery vinyl sidings as well Pittsburgh, PA,
800-962-6973
Louisiana Pacific,
Beware: LP makes many
Louisiana Pacific Portland, OR, 800- www.lpcorp.com
vinyl sidings as well
648-6893
Alside, Akron,
Alside Pelican
Ohio, 800-922- www.alside.com
Bay 6009
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 6 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*** 07530 - ROOF MEMBRANES for low slope roofs***
Most membranes listed here are available as Energy Star surfaces
White, gray, colors or black, heat
Commercial / residential Stevens Roofing,
weldable, weather like EPDM w/o the *Pro: white for cool roofs, competitive or
Stevens EP polyester reinforced Holyoke, MA 800- www.stevensroofing.com
seam failure issues. Use 60mm or can be down-cycled less than PVC
membrane 621-ROOF
thicker for durability
TPO (Thermoplastic Firestone UltraPly Firestone, Carmel,
www.firestonebpco.com
IN, 800-428-4442
Polyolefin)
Carlisle, GAF,
Genflex, Johns
many more
Mansville, Mule
Hide, more
EPDM (Ethylene Firestone
Commercial / residential Black, White Energy Star now Firestone, Carmel,
Propylene Diene Rubbergard www.firestonebpco.com
membrane available IN, 800-428-4442
Monomer) MaxFR
*Pro: white color for cool
roofs, can be down-cycled
FPO (Flexible Sarna, Canton,
Sarnafil T Commercial membrane White, heat weldable (NOTE: most Sarnafil www.sarnafilus.com
Polyolefin Alloy) products are PVC and
MA 800-576-2358
poorly labeled )
MBM (Modified Commercial / residential * Con: asphalt & styrene
Bitumen) SBS Conglas, MB asphaltic rubber membrane of butadiene manufacture Consolidated
torch applied http://conglas.com
(Styrene Butadiene Technology, styrene-butadiene styrene have significant toxic Fiberglas Products
Styrene) added to asphalt emissions
MBM (Modified Commercial / residential Firestone, Carmel,
*Con: high emissions
Bitumen) APP Firestone and asphaltic rubber membrane IN, 800-428-4442
hot asphalt, torch or cold applied from hot asphalt www.firestonebpco.com
(Acstatic others (atactic polypropylene added
application
and many other
polypropylene) to asphalt) manufacturers
Metal Many Commercial / residential rigid
*** 07712 GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS ***
Aluminum Many
Copper Not recommended Con: toxic to aquatic life
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 7 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*** 08000 - DOORS & WINDOW FRAMES ***
Note: PVC windows have been susceptible to excess expansion and shrinkage under temperature changes, causing leaks between frame and wall. Note that many
composite windows are part PVC and that PVC jamb liners and other parts are included in many "non PVC" windows
Andersen Window,
Seek recycled, reclaimed www.andersenwindows.c
Andersen *Pro:Low thermal expansion coef Bayport, MN 612-
and/or FSC certified om
*Con: requires more maintenance 439-5150
sustainably harvested
Wood (FSC Residential and light than PVC but if maintained should
wood. Companies listed
certified) commercial last longer. Clad products or
give pref to FSC. Note
engineered wood products will H Window,
many wood windows
H Window require less.
have PVC jamb liners.
Ashland, WI 715- www.hwindow.com
685-2793
Milgard,
Weathershield, *Con: Fiberglass &
Residential and light aluminum processing
Wood/ clad with Marvin, Sierra *Pro:Much lower thermal expansion Milgard, 1-800-
commercial. Wood with thin emits significant air
aluminum or Pacific, Kolbe, coefficient, maintenance free and MILGARD and www.milgard.com
protective cladding of pollution. Fiberglass
fiberglass Cara-daco, generally more durable than PVC. many more
aluminum or fiberglass difficult to recycle, no
Fibertec, recycled content
Andersen & more
Pella Impervia Less than Pella, Murray, Ky www.pellaimpervia.com/
Commercial / residential, *Con: Fiberglass
custom wood
polyester resins and glass *Pro: Much lower thermal expansion processing emits
frames but
Fiberglass fibers mixed and extruded. coefficients and generally more significant air pollution. Fibertec / Inline,
more than
Fibertec, Inline Carado uses Timberstrand durable than PVC. Low maintenance Difficult to recycle, no Ontario, Canada,
other standard www.inlinefiberglass.com
eng wood core. recycled content
and others types 888-232-4956 /
416-679-1171
Center Industries
Recycled HDPE *Pro: Much lower thermal expansion
Sioux Center, IA www.center-
(high density Center Industries coefficients and generally more *Pro: 90% recycled HDPE
800-281-4049 866 industries.com
polyethylene) durable than PVC. Low maintenance
722-1488
Window frame made from
ABS (acrylonitrile- CompozitTM C/G, a
butadien-styrene)/ coextruded composite based *Con: ABS has significant
Mandan, ND 800-
ASA (acrylic- Thermal Line on CycolacTM ABS with a UV toxic problems in www.tlwindows.com
662-1832
styrene- resistant exterior coating of manufacture
acrylonitrile) GeloyTM ASA both from GE
Plastics
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 8 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*Pro: durable & low maintenance.
Lower thermal expansion. *Con: *Pro: can use recycled
Aluminum Many Higher heat loss even with added materials *Con: energy Many suppliers.
thermal break. Prone to indoor intensive to make
condensation
*** 08800 - GLAZING ACCESSORIES - TAPE ***
Tremco,
Butyl Rubber
Bostik
AdChem,
Polyethylene
Frank Lowe
Silicone rubber Tremco, GE,
sealants others
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 9 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*** 09510 - ACOUSTICAL CEILING TILE ***
Note: beware of PVC as protective scrubbable surface coating. Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) sometimes used as a coating is not PVC despite the "vinyl" in the name
*Pro: 25-85% recycled
content - mineral wool
Humiguard 10-15 year mold/mildew (mostly PI from steel Armstrong World
recycled mineral wool & warranty NOTE: some Armstrong industry waste ) & Industries,
Armstrong www.ceilings.com
newsprint paper ceiling products use vinyl latex newsprint paper. Lancaster, PA 877-
surface finish Armstrong has aggressive 276-7876
PC recycling program for
old panels.
Mineral wool *Pro: Astro has high NRC rating of
.50 to .60, a CAC rating of 35 to 39
and a high LR (light reflectance) *Pro: 40-85% recycled
value of .85. "Aegis Microbe Shield" content - mineral wool
treatment for mold mildew resistant (mostly PI from steel
recycled mineral wool & USG, Chicago, IL
USG w/10-30 yr warranty(humidity not industry waste ) & www.usg.com
newsprint paper 800.874.4968
water) NOTE: some USG products newsprint paper. Some
come vinyl faced: Clean Room PC recycling of old panels
ClimaPlus, Orion 210, Premier Hi-Lite from "select customers"
ClimaPlus, SHEETROCK® Brand
Lay-in Clean Room Vinyl.
Eurostone has perlite,
ceramic clay and a liquid
Chicago Metallic
glass binder, no phenol *Pro: not support mold, bacteria, or
Chicago-Metallic Corporation, www.chicago-
Perlite resins; also glass reinforced fungus, impervious to water,
Eurostone gypsum, fabric/fiberglass, humidity, heat and flame, 30 yr + life
Chicago, IL, 708- metallic.com
563-4600
metal (steel/aluminum),
drywall
Tectum, Inc,
aspen wood fibers in an
more Newark, OH (888)
inorganic hydraulic cement *Pro: more durable *Con: lower
Wood fiber Tectum expensive than 977-9691, (740) www.tectum.com.
binder, commonly used in acoustical performance, harder to cut
standard ACT 345-9691
schools,
© Healthy Building Network 3/31/2006 page 10 of 24 Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by HBN or SFE.
PVC Free Building Material Alternatives
Material Brands Description Characteristics Impacts Cost Manufacturer Web links
*** 09640 - WOOD FLOORING (incl bamboo)*** (as substitute for 09650 vinyl resilient floor)
Forest World,
FSC certified plank and
ForestWorld Middleburg, VT, www.forestworld.com
floating floors
802-382-8888
Earth Source,
FSC certified plank and Oakland, CA, 866- www.earthsourcewood.c
Wood Earthsource
floating floors 549-9663, 510-208 om
7257
Ecotimber, San
FSC certified plank and
EcoTimber Rafael, CA www.ecotimber.com
floating floors
415.258.8454
Bamboo
Hardwoods, *Pro: rapidly renewable
resource (4 years to
Flooring standard plank flooring
maturity) *Con: unknown
Alternatives, product made from laminated *Pro: more resilient than red oak, comparable to See resilient flooring
Bamboo labor practices in SE See resilient chart
Moso, PlyBoo, bamboo (also available in good water resistance
Asia, some bamboos use
hardwood floor chart
Smith & Fong, floating floor)
urea formaldehyde
Timbergrass, and binders
many others
*** 09650 - RESILIENT FLOORING *** (see resilient flooring chart at www.healthybuilding.net for more detail)
Pro:rapidly renewable,
Forbo *Pro: anti static, anti bacterial, long
plant based tile and sheet decomposes in dump
wear life (40+ yrs?), minimal
(Marmoleum, goods from flax linseed oil, *Con: Outgases VOCs
maintenance requirements (no
Artoleum), wood flour, pine resins, and (no known carcinogens or $3 - $6
Natural linoleum stripping and waxing), *Con: not See resilient chart See resilient chart
Armstrong DLW, natural colorants, sheet good
recommended for wet environments.
repro development toxins, installed in 02
Prontolino, Nova, w/ jute backing or tile with but can be allergen
NOTE: Forbo is heavier duty
Tarkett polyester backing problem for certain
commercial grade than Armstrong
sensitive people)
*Pro: anti bacterial, mildew, mold, rot
Expanko, Duro resistant, fire retardant, thermal, *Pro: rapidly renewable
Design, Flooring vibration & acoustic barrier, soft, (harvestable every 9-10
Alternatives warm under foot, self healing, years for 100-150 yrs)
tile and plank and floating $3 - $8
Cork Gerbert, We Cork, thermally stable, hypo-allergenic, healthy for tree, Often use See resilient chart See resilient chart
floor from natural cork installed in 01
Wicanders and durable, long wear life (many high cork waste *Con: Some
many other