I’m considering replacing the wood trim on my house with a cellular PVC product (Azek if a brand name is permitted). Everything I’m found out about it sounds great. But the manufacture warms against painting the trim in a dark color when exposed to diredt sun. My trim will be painted a medium brown color and recieves afternoon sun. I would like to know if anyone has had any expericece with this? Like is the trim going to melt?
Oztotl
PS: I’m new to the Breaktime Forum but have been reading Fine Homebuilding for years. I don’t presently work in the construction indrustry but my father was a home builder. Being cheap summer help, I’ve seen and helped on about all aspects of home building.
Replies
Azek is an excellent product but like all vinyl has plenty of expansion and contraction, depending upon temperature. It's within an acceptable range under light colors but would most likely buckle in the heat with dark ones. I've found, generally speaking, that if a manufacturer says not to do something with their product, not to do it. Their recommendation didn't come out of thin air but was the result of the real world problems. If you decide to try it anyway, the best cleaner for the product is lacquer thinner. You can also repair small dents & dings with a heat gun but practice on a piece of scrap first. Be sure to keep the heat gun away from the lacquer thinner or you might be replacing more that just the outside trim though!
Al