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Do Black Windows Last? Fading, Warping, and More!

Do Black Windows Last? Fading, Warping, and More!

Your windows play an essential part in the aesthetics and design of your house. White windows always look good, classic, and seamlessly blend with your home’s décor but now, black is the new trend.

Like some of you, I struggled to choose between white or black framed windows when building my current home. Although I loved the definition of style that comes with black windows, I was worried about how long it would last before fading or warping.

If you’re trying to give your home a new look, you too might be asking the same question, “do black windows last?”

Do Black Windows Fade?

Depending on the window’s finish and elevation, black windows may fade at a different rate. Finish refers to the paint material that the window manufacturer uses.

UPVC (Ultra Plastered Polyvinyl Chloride) is commonly used for windows and doors construction.  They are more resistant to fire, weather, warping, or discoloration.

However, black UPVC windows can fade, and the finish can become dull after ten to fifteen years of continuous exposure to UV light. 

Although it doesn’t look bad, when you compare a brand new UPVC unit to an old one, the difference is noticeable.

If you’re thinking of replacing your UPVC window, you probably should not; you can spray paint it instead. You can spray-paint your old UPVC units, whether they’re black, white, or brown, but ensure you use paints that are resistant to UV light and will still appear as good as new 10 years later.

Innovations in window manufacturing technologies now ensure that black UPVC windows are highly resistant to fade. Rather than adhering to the surface as it did in the early years of production when fading was a problem, the color is bonded to become part of the UPVC.

For fiberglass windows, the profiles exist in two types – gel coated and painted. While both finishes fade, gel-coated fiberglass windows can last between 10 to 20 years before fading, but gel-coated ones can only last between 5 to 10 years.

Climate and temperature contribute to the rate at which fiberglass windows fade. Additionally, the color and consistency of the paint or gel coating are essential considerations.

Whatever finish you want for your black fiberglass windows, it is crucial to ensure that it is of the highest standard.

Do Black Windows Warp?

Warping is a common concern when it comes to painting your windows in black or other dark colors. It refers to a distortion in the surface of the window due to heat and moisture exposure.

Warping is primarily common with wood windows, but it can happen in vinyl windows too. The heat absorbed by the wood causes it to expand and deform. This deformation creates a large gap with a negative effect on your house’s aesthetics.

Traditionally, windows come in light colors because of their light reflective value (LRV), which means that they reflect UV rays and dissipate heat more effectively than dark colors. So, yes, black windows are more vulnerable to warping than light-colored windows.

Black absorbs more UV rays than light colors, causing heat to build in them, making them more susceptible to warping. If your windows face the western sun, I’d advise you against using black wood windows.

Vinyl window frames are usually stronger than wool frames, but they too can soften, twist, and warp when heat builds up in them.

Painting vinyl windows with black predisposes them to even more heat because the expansion and contraction that damages vinyl windows is amplified in black since it absorbs more heat. This can speed up the warping process.

However, thanks to the latest developments in solar reflective pigments and special dark color paints with reflective characteristics, there’s no need to be discouraged. The reflective properties of these paints minimize heat build-up in vinyl framed windows.

For black fiberglass frames, you won’t have to worry about warping or rusting. Fiberglass doesn’t warp, rust, or crack. Even during extreme weather conditions, fiberglass can absorb heat to a great extent.

Do Black Windows Last?

Using black windows for your home has several benefits! However, it’s okay to be more concerned about durability than other benefits you can find with black windows. 

So, to answer your question on whether black windows last, I’ll say yes, they do. However, how long the window lasts depends mainly on its finish and the material the manufacturers employed.

Vinyl black windows don’t require much maintenance, and if your home has brickwork on the outside, the black window will complement it beautifully. The three major problems with vinyl windows are color fading, overheating, and heat transfer to the glass unit.

Overheating is probably the most important of these problems. Overheating mainly occurs during sunny summer days. The structural stability of the frames and glass unit is compromised as a result.

It may also trigger the frame to curve outwards and bulge outwards on the outside. Thermal cracking may also occur as a result of severe overheating.

The best way to prevent severe overheating is to use the broadest possible steel-core frame reinforcement specially designed for glass units. Another option is to use a UPVC mix custom-made for your project.

It’s also a good idea to avoid dim windows that are close to the maximum possible size. For best performance and minimum risks, 75 percent of the largest size should be the most you get. It reduces the likelihood of black frames overheating and increases their durability.

Although black UPVC windows can fade, covering the window with vinyl foil can help prevent fading. 

The special vinyl foil panel protects the outer and inner sides of the window. It’s the painted vinyl windows you need to worry about. They can start to fade as early as 2 to 6 years from when you’ve installed them.

Black fiberglass windows, on the other hand, are more long-lasting and will not fade quickly. So, if you’ve decided to use black windows for your house, you should choose fiberglass or, at least, a UPVC material covered with vinyl.

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Lindsay Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of ProjectPerfectHome.com! I created this website to be a resource for everyone who wants to make the best home possible.