One of the main criticisms people have of uPVC windows is the boring colour. They can also age really poorly and may not be great in changing weather. However, they are still a popular option because of the low cost and easy maintenance. It leads many people to wonder, is there a way to improve the aesthetics? Luckily there are a few options. One of the best is to choose professional laminating services and the right type of film.
We want to take a quick look at four different options that can add colour to your uPVC window profiles. At the end you will be able to see why laminate is the best choice.
What are the options?
Co-extrusion
What happens here is you extrude materials together through a die to merge them into a single multi layer product. You can do this with uPVC window profiles to give them a top layer with a different colour and extra properties like higher weather resistance. It is one of the best options in terms of the cost.
However, there are a number of concerns. For example the extruded profiles can suffer internal stress and deformation, especially in climates that can rapidly change between hot and cold extremes.
Pigment
You can also use extrusion to colour the entire window profile rather than just the outer layer. To do this you need to include pigment. While it can be better in terms of colouring, this process does not add any extra strength or weather resistance.
Lacquering
It is possible to paint uPVC and then add a lacquer to protect it. While it can offer more choice in terms of colour, there are a number of downsides. For example, the lacquer may not have the level of strength and weather resistance you expect. Plus, colour differences between batches can be broad, making it tricky to ensure your windows will match.
Lamination
This is the most popular option in Europe, creating a lot of demand for laminating services. What happens is you add a high quality film to the window profile. It is a relatively simple wrapping process, but the end results can be fantastic. Many of the issues with other options are non-existent here too, including no concerns about deformation or internals stress.
More importantly, there are lots of options when it comes to films, including block colours, wood grain effects, and more. The laminate can provide weather resistance too. In addition, you can easily replace the film if you need to upgrade the windows.
Speak to us about laminating services
We hope the information above has been helpful in exploring the different ways to colour uPVC windows. There are lots of options but laminate does stand out as the best choice. If you are thinking of choosing more unique window profiles for your property, we would suggest you choose it.
You can contact us for any extra information you may need about our laminating services. We are happy to help and if you want to go ahead we can give you access to films from the world’s best producers.