Plastic (uPVC) wall cladding – fading

Cause

Weathering, UV exposure

Repair

  • uPVC claddings, typically formed to give the appearance of weatherboards, are available in white and a range of colours. Exposure to the environment may result in loss of gloss and fading of colour over time. Coloured products may have a shorter service life than white products

  • clean the cladding regularly to prevent dirt and mould build up using warm water with mild detergent and a soft non-abrasive cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or strong organic solvents such as acetone-based cleaners – these can damage the uPVC surface

  • if the surface appearance is no longer considered acceptable as a result of fading, ask the advice of the product supplier before painting. A specialised paint system may be required – do not assume that the paints widely available for timber weatherboards can be used on uPVC cladding. Generally, a lighter colour must be used – one manufacturer requires the colour of paint on its uPVC claddings to have a reflectance value of 62% or more