Vinyl sheet piles as a material and a construction product have been known for almost 40 years. Due to their certain properties and indisputable advantages, they fit into a niche on the market of construction products, perfectly filling the gap between materials such as steel, concrete and wood. All thanks to the fact that they are distinguished by the appropriate strength for their applications, aesthetic appearance, incomparable durability (especially in the marine environment), low weight and above all their attractive price! Not to mention the lack of maintenance work required unlike other products such as painting with special coatings, etc.
Over recent years we have developed the “Hybrid” sheet pile which are an extension of the technology of PVC sheet piles. This is a product based on a patented technology consisting of reinforcing PVC sheet piles in critical areas with super-durable glass fiber which allows even higher technical parameters are obtained while maintaining all other advantages resulting from the use of PVC material.
The advantages of steel in terms of strength are indisputable. However, there are projects where PVC / hybrid sheet piles are a technology that perfectly fits the project requirements – for instance in the construction of marinas, riverbank protection and docks for smaller and medium-sized vessels.
Such structures are usually characterized by the fact that the depth from the bottom of the wall to the top of the structure rarely exceeds 18ft, and the potential load on the ground is negligible as their function is not to unload heavy goods. Such conditions do not cause high pressures on the retaining structure, therefore the construction of these types of structures using steel and concrete is more often than not economically viable compared to Vinyl.
In addition to this in projects of this type, the construction made of sheet piling very often remains partially visible and that is why the aesthetic aspect of the Vinyl materials also plays an important role. Vinyl needs no painting and can be colored in various options. The increase in the prices of raw materials and services forces investors, design engineers and contractors to optimize projects in order to save money while maintaining functionality throughout the expected useful life of the construction.
When using vinyl or hybrid sheet piles in Docks or Marinas the cost optimization does not only consist in the use of a lighter and cheaper product but also in the avoidance of maintenance work, because unlike steel sheet piles which corrode in the marine environment (and in particular in contact with saltwater) PVC sheet piles do not corrode in any way and at the same time keep an attractive appearance.
