Material guide
Gluing uPVC
Rigid PVC used for windows, doors, fascia boards and waste pipe.
Also called PVC-U, PVCu, rigid PVC, window plastic.
How uPVC behaves when you bond it
Solvent cement welds uPVC properly, which is why plumbing relies on it. Window and door uPVC is usually weathered and often has a laminated foil finish, and bonding to that foil is a different problem from bonding to the plastic underneath.
uPVC is rigid unplasticised PVC used in pipe, profiles and building products. Bare clean uPVC is relatively receptive, but weathered surfaces, protective films and decorative foil laminates are different bonding surfaces.
Material properties
- Surface energy
- Medium
- Porosity
- Non-porous
- Rigidity
- Rigid
- Maximum service temperature
- 60C
- Normally needs abrading
- No
- Normally needs a primer
- No
- Solvent sensitive
- Yes. Solvent-based adhesives can craze or dissolve the surface.
- Recommended degreaser
- Isopropanol or Permabond Cleaner A (Permabond adhesive preparation covering rigid PVC/uPVC.) Manufacturer verified
Surface preparation
Identify bare uPVC versus foil, paint or weathered skin. Clean and dry it; Permabond names isopropanol or Cleaner A and warns against acetone in its adhesive process. For pipe solvent cement, use the pipe and cement maker's cut, deburr, cleaner/primer, assembly and cure instructions as one system.
Which adhesives work on uPVC
Excellent
Solvent cement
Solvent cement is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment.
Good
Cyanoacrylate
Cyanoacrylate is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment.
Good
Structural acrylic
Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment.
Bonding uPVC to something else
uPVC to MDF
uPVC to Concrete
uPVC to EPDM
uPVC to Galvanised steel
uPVC to Glass
uPVC to Glazed ceramic
uPVC to Plywood
uPVC to Painted metal
uPVC to Stainless steel
uPVC to Mild steel
uPVC to Aluminium
uPVC to uPVC
Last reviewed 8 October 2026.