Are dark colors on vinyl siding a problem?
MikeonLI
| Posted in General Questions on
Homeowner in Long Island, NY. would
like to put vinyl siding on my house in a dark color. I know in the past that was a bad idea because of fading and other problems but it seems the manufacturers have changed their technology so it’s less of an issue. Are there any concerns I should be worried about?
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Replies
I think the manufactures did not used to sell dark colors for good reasons.
Two houses in my neighborhood have darker vinyl. One with an unshaded west facing wall with an overhang. Has had the top row replaces after it fell out every summer poor workmanship seems unlikely 3 times in a row. The other house one can see waviness in the siding. Is the waviness related to the color or the workmanship is unknown but I think the waviness is more visible in the dark color.
If they tell you this new vinyl can take the heat consider getting a free sample and put it in the oven at 125° my guess its shape will be different when it come out of the oven.
Walta
I do not have a direct experience but this is what I can say.
uPVC tends to creep (very slow plastic deformation) overtime. This can affect sealing and functionality so I would look into a uPVC window with a metal frame or fiber reinforced.
You need a load (weight) and time to see creep so a short time oven test will not show the problem but you can realize how much the material "soften" at that temeperature.
Also in terms of esthetics, fluorinated film coatings (PVDF) are more durable than paints.
So does this mean there’s an increase in water getting behind the vinyl siding over time when you have dark vinyl siding?
Sorry for whatever reason I tought you were talking about uPVC windows and not siding.
No problem!
This article is a few years old but covers the subject: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-choose-black-siding. Vinyl siding technology has changed to some degree in the meantime, with more dark colors now available, but expansion/contraction and the potential for fading and chalking are still the main issues. Vinyl siding should be installed to accommodate the movement but in some cases it isn't. All vinyl leaks against wind-driven rain (as does all siding, but vinyl is the leakiest) so your house should be fully watertight before the siding is installed, and the slight additional expansion/contraction should not matter.
I would look carefully at the warranty language and choose one with the best terms.
Thanks Michael. Good article. I’ll look into this more closely as far as warranty.
So are you advising against the dark color for vinyl? My contractor has installed a lot of vinyl and is very cautious about expansion and also I’m working with him to make sure the house is water tight before install.
I would choose a lighter color to be safe but this darker one is really the only one that fits the house. I still haven’t made a final decision so I’m open to changing my mind.
Mike, I don't feel one way or the other, and honestly I have next to no first-hand experience with vinyl. If your contractor is experienced and insured, and using a reputable brand in accordance with manufacturer specifications, I think you will probably be fine.
Thanks Michael. You always have excellent advice.