Hi all,
I’m building an outdoor shower and considering using PVC trim stock for the structure (perhaps Azek). I don’t do much exterior work, so I’ve never gotten a chance to use man-made exterior trim.
But, from what I can gather, 3/4-1†flat stock is the norm, and if I want to use any sort of 4×4 posts I will have to build them myself with the flat stock. That’s no problem, but I hear that expansion/contraction of PVC can be problematic. If I build a box beam from Azek, will the miters blow out and look like crap, or will the PVC cement save the day?
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Justin Fink – FHB Editorial
Replies
My limited experience with AZEK has been all good, and you're more likely to break around a glued joint than open the joint itself. I think you'd be fine - just don't get gluey figerprints on the faces during your glue-up! (done that . . .)
Forrest
You can't use it for structural purposes, You could wrap a beam with it, but not create one with it.
Whenever I box out a beam or column, whether it be with azek or wood, I use a router to make a dado joint. Takes time but looks good forever.
It might be easier to use PVC fence posts for the corners.
I have been thinking about an outdoor shower as well, and that was what I had in mind for mine.
Azek makes some great corner stock. One would be hard pressed to get it apart. Not cheap but half your work would be factory finished.
Thanks for the input everybody - I'm well on my way...Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
I agree with previous posts about Azek having no structural value. When you pick up your first piece, you will see we mean - erect is not in the equation :-)
That said, the Azek glue welds the stuff together really strong. Kind of like, have you ever glued up some PVC pipe, and then, 30 minutes later decided you wanted to change something around?
I did a little experiment: I took two ~3' pieces of Azek 5/4" x 4. I glued the flats of the 2 "boards" together at the end of both boards forming an 'L' shape. Next day, on the job I tried to break it apart - no dice. I put all my weight on the joint ant it was apparent that the material was gonna break before that joint gave out.
BTW - use the real Azek glue. Other PVC glue may likely work, but it will discolor, and if it shows at all it will be ugly. The Azek glue is weird stuff - If I remember correctly it is water based, but if you get it on your skin, it feels like acid - not good.