Testing the Durability of the Color of Façade Materials

The paper presents a problem of discoloration of facade materials. 10 different materials, including acrylic resins and paints, cement mortars, and synthetic membranes were tested in accelerated weather conditions to obtain their colors’ durability. The climatic conditions were generated by the accelerated weathering tester, QUV. The research on color durability was made with the Minolta CM-700d spectrophotometer. The research was divided into two stages. In the first stage, three factors, including moisture spray, condensation, and UVA acted on the materials, while in the second stage, only UVA radiation acted on the materials. Materials differ in discoloration results. For acrylic and cement one combination of climate conditions (with an indication of moisture) seem to be the driving discoloration factor. In the case of membranes, UVA is no less color damaging. Only in a few materials, including all cement ones, the discoloration was so big, that inexperienced observers can see them.