When a waterfront project requires a strong and stable seawall, it is important to find the right material. Choosing vinyl sheet pile wall is one option that provides the strength of a steel seawall without the drawbacks associated with traditional wood seawalls. Unlike wood, vinyl piling doesn’t swell when wet, and it is not affected by marine boring critters. It is also resistant to harmful UV rays, which can fade the color of your seawall over time.

ESC vinyl sheet piles are manufactured with strict dimensional tolerances, making them easy to install. They can be driven, jetted or dug in and are available in a wide range of sizes. The pile head is flanged with a durable fused gasket, which eliminates the need for a separate sealant. The pile head is also affixed with a structural steel waler system and rebar to help resist uplift. The toe of the pile is secured with a grout bag.

To compare the environmental impact of the compared products, a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was applied. The functional unit analyzed was a 100 m long waterfront wall constructed with sheet piles. The assessment was carried out using a cradle-to-gate approach with transport of the product to its destination waterfront site.

Corrosion and energy consumption were the most critical factors. The comparison of the analyzed data indicates that PVC has lower environmental impacts than steel piles in all investigated scenarios. In contrast to steel, vinyl sheet piles are not susceptible to corrosion and have a significantly lower energy consumption. Moreover, the share of environmental impact resulting from the transportation does not exceed 10%.

In addition to their low environmental impact, vinyl piling walls are easy to install. They don’t swell when wet, which makes them much easier to handle than traditional wood seawalls. They are also lighter per square meter, making them more convenient to work with when driving in the ground. This also makes them more cost efficient since they are easier to transport and require less manpower to install.

They are also unaffected by marine borers, which can eat away at the integrity of a wooden seawall over time. These small mollusks and crustaceans are attracted to the timber used in wooden seawalls, degrading them and shortening their lifespan. Vinyl piles are unaffected by these organisms, allowing them to last longer than wooden seawalls.

Besides the obvious advantages of PVC over steel, vinyl piles are also more sustainable and cost-effective than wood. They can be recycled and reused for other purposes, which helps to minimize the amount of waste in landfills. Moreover, they are designed to resist the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, which can cause skin cancer over time. This feature makes them a great choice for those looking to preserve the look of their beachfront home or commercial property. The durability of vinyl piling walls makes them a smart investment for any waterfront project.