Photo courtesy Magnus uPVC

Will uPVC Windows and Doors Fade In The Sun?

Some years ago, my wife and I replaced many of the old aluminium windows in our house with double-glazed doors. They’ve worked a treat, but there has been one problem. The frames were made of wood, and the wood obviously doesn’t enjoy our harsh Australian conditions. Within four years the first of the doors were drying and losing their colour. They work well and they look good, but there’s going to be a lifetime of maintenance keeping them looking good. I can do without that, and I’m sure you can, too.

So what would we do if we had our time over again? When we get around to replacing the remaining single-glazed windows with double glazing, our choice will almost certainly be uPVC framing. UPVC replacement windows already enjoy a majority of the market in the US, Europe and the UK. Why? Because uPVC is durable, it’s a great thermal insulator, it’s economical, and it’s low maintenance.

So, back to the question we started with, “will uPVC windows and doors fade in the sun?” Search the internet, and you may find customers who DID experience the problem. Ask suppliers of competing frame materials, and you may be given to understand that it’s a common problem with uPVC. The truth?

If you buy poor quality products they won’t perform as well as good quality ones! If the windows are brought in from overseas without being designed to meet our climatic extremes, without meeting Australian Standards, and not Certified under our Windows Energy Rating Scheme, then you could have a problem. Even windows made locally from inferior framing material could have the problem.

Ethical businesses have avoided the problem by only using top-quality uPVC profiles made from material tested to meet harsh Australian conditions. As a minimum, they would meet Australian Standard for Windows, AS2047 , and be Certified under WERS- the Australian Window Energy Rating Scheme .

Now, the whole uPVC industry is taking a huge step forward to ensure that the uPVC windows and doors you buy do NOT fade or discolour.

The uPVC Window Alliance, a program of the Australian Vinyl Council, has published an Australian Industry Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme for uPVC windows and doors, aimed squarely at ensuring that uPVC windows and doors don’t fade or discolour. Read a full article here…

Measures like this, that raise the standards in our industry, are to be welcomed, encouraged and supported. Customers deserve no less.