Flat Bar Strips Rigid

Introduction to Plastic Strips / PVC Flat Bars

At MKM Plastics, we offer a comprehensive range of plastic strips. These plastic strips are often referred to as PVC flat bars or PVC strips, which are all the same product. These flat plastic trims can be used for various applications such as covering unsightly edges, acting as spacers, and providing protection. 

What is a plastic strip?

A plastic strip is a very simple extruded shape, having just two dimensions. These dimensions are the width and the thickness. When plastic strips are extruded they result in a continuous rectangular shape. During the manufacturing process we cut them to specific lengths. Plastic strips are sold in 75 metre packs in the colours white and black. Each pack of rigid plastic strip contains 25 X 3 metres lengths. Each pack of flexible plastic strip contains 3 X 25 metre coils.

Many of our plastic strips have a thickness of 1.5mm - 3mm although we also have some thicker sizes. Plastic strips are one of our most popular ranges of plastic trims.

Is a plastic flat bar the same as a plastic flat strip?

If you are looking for thin plastic strips we do have some in our stock range with a thickness of 1.5mm. This is the thinnest plastic strip we have available as a stock product. However, the meaning of ‘thin’ is subjective and can mean different things to different people.

Once the thickness increases this profile is sometimes referred to a plastic bar. Our largest plastic bar is 27mm in both dimensions, making it more of a square profile rather than rectangular. The plastic bar is solid, rather than hollow like our plastic square tubing.

If you are looking for thin plastic strips or a thicker plastic bar, our thicknesses include 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm and 27mm. Our profiles are used for cosmetic purposes and not for weight bearing applications.

Applications of PVC Flat Bars

PVC flat bars are used extensively in construction, interior design, and DIY projects. Common applications include:

• Edge Protection: Guard the edges of panels and boards.
• Cover Strips: Cover gaps and provide a neat finish.
• Spacers and Gap Fillers: Ensure even spacing between components.
• Decorative Trim: Enhance the visual appeal of surfaces.

Plastic cover strip

This profile is often called ‘plastic cover strip’ and is often used to cover a long edge of board or panel. Plastic cover strip could cover unsightly, damaged or uneven edges to make it neater. Plastic cover strip is one of our most popular profiles and is manufactured from PVC in packs of 75 metres.

Choosing the correct plastic strip

There are many things to consider when choosing the correct plastic strip, including colour, material, and edge shape. Plastic strips are one of our popular ranges of plastic trims. We have 38 different sizes of rigid plastic strips which we offer in the colours white and black. Most of our plastic bar strips are rectangular with many widths and thicknesses to choose from. We offer a lot of sizes of plastic strips in thicknesses of 1.5mm and 3mm, the largest thickness is 27mm. The width of plastic (PVC) flat bar strips range from 6mm to 142mm.

White plastic strip

We have a large range of white plastic strip with a choice of 38 different sizes. White would be used in lighter situations, giving a clean professional finish to your project. We use a standard white PVC material but if you require a specific RAL colour (there are many different shades of white) then please get in touch and we can quote for a custom production run in a specific shade for larger quantities.

Black plastic strip

Our range of black plastic strips offers 38 size options. Black would be used in darker situations or possibly when the plastic strip is not visible such as being underground or hidden behind boards. We use a standard black PVC material but if you require a specific RAL colour then let us know and we can quote for custom production in a specific shade for larger quantities.

Plastic flat strips – what width do you need?

Depending on the nature of your project you need to consider the width of the plastic flat strip that you need. The smallest width of plastic (PVC) flat bar strips range is 6mm and the widest is 142mm.

Some widths of plastic strip are available in different thicknesses. For example, Flat 25mm X 25mm is available in thicknesses of 1.5mm, 3mm, 6mm and 12mm.

Rigid plastic strips

Most of our rigid plastic strip is made in a rigid external grade PVC material. This means it is suitable for using both outdoors and indoors. The best way of describing this material is that it is rigid like a ruler. Rigid plastic strips are sold in 75 metre packs, supplied as 25 X 3 metre lengths.

Rigid PVC strips are manufactured from a different material to our flexible plastic strips and we encourage you to request samples if you are unsure which material to choose.

Flexible plastic strips

We also offer some plastic strip in a flexible PVC material, which is suitable for using indoors but not outside due to its weatherability properties. The best way of describing this flexible material is that it could be put around your waist like a belt. Flexible plastic strips are also sold in 75 metre packs, and are supplied as 3 X 25 metre coils.

This material is different to our rigid plastic strips and we encourage you to request samples if you are unsure which material to choose.

Solid plastic strips

Our plastic flat strips are manufactured in PVC and are solid all the way through, both in terms of material and colour. We get asked sometimes if our flat strips are foiled, with the colour just being on the surface of the product. They are not foiled, they are high quality products and are a solid colour all the way through.

Bendable plastic strips

It depends on whether you choose rigid plastic strips or flexible plastic strips as to how bendable the plastic strip will be.
For rigid plastic strips there may be some flexibility across a three metre length, which is how we sell our rigid products (25 X 3 metres). The degree of bendability will depend on the size and thickness of the profile. The smaller sizes will offer much more bendability than the larger sizes.
For flexible plastic strips there is much more bendability as these products are supplied in coils rather than long lengths. Each 75 metre pack contains 3 coils each of 25 metres and they are delivered to you in a cardboard box. Flexible plastic strips are often used in situations where a radius edge or gap needs to be covered and have much more flexibility than the rigid version.

Thin plastic strips

In our stock range, the thinnest plastic flat strip we have available is 1.5mm. We offer 8 different plastic flat strips in this specific thickness, the narrowest strip is 10mm and the widest is 142mm.
If you require thin plastic strip take a look at our range and see if we have a suitable size. It is possible for us to manufacture thin strips of plastic to other specifications but this would be custom production so is subject to much larger production runs, normally around 2000 metres. The minimum production runs would vary depending on the size of the profile and can be quoted upon request.

uPVC strips - an explanation

Firstly, an explanation as to what uPVC actually means. PVC is an abbreviation for ‘polyvinyl chloride’ and ‘u’ is an abbreviation for ‘unplasticised.’ Therefore uPVC means the material is unplasticised polyvinyl chloride.

Our plastic strips are manufactured from uPVC although it is important to point out the difference between the plastic material we use and the plastic material used by the double-glazing and widow industries. In those industries, additional stabilisers are often added to the uPVC, whereas our material is standard uPVC.

We offer a large range of rigid uPVC strips, which are available in two colours. If you are looking for white uPVC strip or black uPVC strip we have lots of sizes available. Other colours are available for custom production for which there is a minimum meterage requirement depending on the size of the profile. You are welcome to get in touch for us to quote for other colours of uPVC strip on this basis.

PVC strips with square and round edges 

Most of our flat plastic strips have square edges, but we also have a few sizes with round edges. This means that two of the edges of the plastic strips are slightly rounded.

Square edge plastic strips

The majority of our plastic strips have square edges, which means that all four corners have a 90-degree angle resulting in a rectangular shape. This style of plastic strips is the most frequently asked for. We do however also have some sizes which are available with two rounded edges. Square edge PVC strip is sold in packs of 75 metres. 

Round edge plastic strips

We have some plastic strips which have a slightly rounded edge on two out of the four corners. There may be some situations when a less sharp and more rounded solution is required. Round edge PVC strip is sold in packs of 75 metres.

What are our plastic flat strips made from?

Our rigid plastic strips are manufactured from external grade rigid PVC, which is also known as uPVC. This means that the PVC strips can be used outside. Rigid plastic strips are sold in 75 metre packs (25 X 3 metres).
We also have a range of flexible flat strips which are made from flexible PVC which are suitable for use inside, this is a rubberised plastic which can be wrapped around something like a belt. Flexible PVC strips are sold in 75 metre packs ( 3 X 25 metre coils).

Why Choose Our Plastic Strips?

Our plastic strips are manufactured from external grade rigid PVC, which can both be used indoors and outdoors. Available in white and black, these PVC flat bars are designed to give a professional finish to your project as well as fulfilling a function. With sizes ranging from 6mm to 142mm in width and 1.5mm to 27mm in thickness, providing a solution to many different project specifications. 

Where to buy plastic strips?

MKM Extrusions is a UK manufacturer and supplier of plastic strips. Available as part of our stock range, PVC strips are one of our most popular products. A huge range of sizes, widths from 6mm to 142mm and several thicknesses available. A choice of white and black, other colours for larger custom production runs. Competitive prices, easy to order online with a free sample service.

Still not sure which plastic flat strips you need?

You are very welcome to request samples of PVC strip if you are unsure about exactly which plastic flat strip you need. You may wish to see the colour, the different type of material, the width or the edge style.
Just get in touch with us by phone or email and let us know the product codes you are interested in seeing, and remember to include your name and address with your request. We will then send you short samples of plastic flat bar strips by Royal mail. We are happy to send out samples of PVC strip but please bear in mind that we only sell complete 75 metre packs.
If in doubt get in touch and we will arrange for you to speak to a technician.

Quick answers about Plastic Flat Bar Strips

What sizes do your plastic strips come in?

We offer plastic strips in widths from 6mm to 142mm and thicknesses from 1.5mm to 27mm. 

Are your PVC strips available in custom colors?

Yes, while we stock standard white and black PVC strips which are available in 75 metre packs, we can manufacture custom colors for larger quantities. Contact us for more details.

Can I request a sample of PVC flat bars?

Yes. In order to help you choose the right PVC flat bar for your project, you can contact us to request a sample.