Why do exterior siding colors fade? Learn how UV exposure, heat, weathering, cleaning practices, and installation conditions affect color—and how Gentek Sequoia Select .046 vinyl siding helps provide lasting, fade-resistant beauty.
Exterior Siding Guide
Why Do Siding Colors Fade?
Sunlight, heat, weather, airborne contaminants, and improper cleaning can gradually change the appearance of exterior siding. Although no exterior color is completely immune to weathering, a carefully engineered siding system can help keep that change controlled and consistent.
The Short Answer
Siding colors primarily fade because ultraviolet radiation and solar heat slowly affect the pigments and surface of an exterior material. The amount of visible change depends on the color formulation, exposure, climate, maintenance, wall orientation, and age of the siding.
Gentek Sequoia Select offers a more complete response than thickness alone. Its premium .046-inch construction is combined with color-through vinyl, coordinated exterior colors, ChromaTrue technology on darker colors, and manufacturer-defined fade protection.
What Homeowners Call “Fading” May Be Something Else
Before deciding that siding has permanently faded, it helps to identify what has actually changed. Several conditions can produce a dull, uneven, or washed-out appearance.
- True color change: Pigments or other components have changed after prolonged exposure to sunlight and weather.
- Chalking: A light, powdery surface residue makes the siding appear paler than its original color.
- Dirt and atmospheric deposits: Dust, pollen, exhaust, and pollution can alter the apparent color.
- Mildew or organic growth: Shaded and damp areas may develop discoloration that can sometimes be cleaned.
- Gloss change: A surface can look lighter or flatter even when its underlying color has changed very little.
The Main Reasons Exterior Colors Fade
Ultraviolet Exposure
UV radiation is one of the most persistent sources of exterior color change. Over time, it can affect pigments and the exposed surface of siding.
Heat and Wall Orientation
South- and west-facing elevations frequently receive stronger afternoon sun and higher surface temperatures. They may weather differently from shaded north-facing walls.
Weather and Air Quality
Rain, humidity, airborne pollution, salt, agricultural residue, pollen, and other local conditions can affect how a color looks throughout its service life.
Improper Cleaning
Abrasive pads, harsh chemicals, strong solvents, and excessive pressure can damage a siding surface or create uneven-looking areas. Manufacturer-approved cleaning practices are always the safer choice.
Do Dark Siding Colors Fade Faster?
Dark colors absorb more solar energy and can make small appearance changes easier to notice. However, color depth alone does not determine performance. Pigment selection, capstock or compound formulation, stabilizers, testing, exposure, and maintenance all matter.
Gentek addresses this concern by fortifying darker Sequoia Select colors with its proprietary ChromaTrue technology. The goal is fade resistance and more consistent long-term appearance—not a promise that outdoor materials will never experience normal weathering.
How Gentek Sequoia Select .046 Helps
Gentek Sequoia Select Ultra-Premium Vinyl Siding combines several features that help support lasting curb appeal.
| Gentek Feature | Practical Benefit |
|---|---|
| ChromaTrue technology | Helps darker colors resist excessive fading and retain their intended appearance. |
| Color-through vinyl construction | Color is integrated through the vinyl rather than applied as a surface paint that can peel, flake, or reveal a sharply contrasting substrate. |
| Color Clear Through coordination | Helps coordinate siding with compatible soffit, fascia, trim, and rainware for a more intentional exterior palette. |
| Nominal .046-inch panel | Provides a premium, more substantial siding profile. Thickness supports rigidity, but color formulation—not thickness by itself—is responsible for fade resistance. |
| Manufacturer fade coverage | The Sequoia Select warranty defines qualifying excessive fade using an instrumentally measured color-difference threshold, subject to the warranty’s terms, exclusions, and claim process. |
How Color Retention Is Evaluated
Professional color evaluation is more reliable than comparing a wall with an old photograph. Industry standards use controlled testing and instrumentally measured color coordinates to quantify changes.
ASTM D2244
ASTM D2244 provides practices for calculating color tolerances and color differences from instrumentally measured color coordinates. The resulting numerical difference is often expressed as Delta E.
ASTM D6864 and ASTM D7251
These standards address color and appearance retention for solid-colored and multi-hued plastic siding products. The applicable standard depends on the product’s color design.
VSI/PEPA Product Certification
The industry certification program uses independent verification for products represented as meeting applicable ASTM requirements. Because certification applies to listed products and colors, homeowners and contractors should confirm the exact profile and selected color in the current certification listing.
What Does Gentek’s Fade Threshold Mean?
Gentek’s published Sequoia Select warranty defines excessive fading as a color change greater than three Hunter Delta E units when determined by Gentek according to ASTM D2244. This creates a measurable standard rather than relying only on a subjective visual impression.
Warranty language, coverage, exclusions, and thresholds can change. Always review the warranty supplied with the exact product and retain invoices, product identification, and installation records.
How to Help Siding Color Last
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1
Use gentle cleaning methods
Follow Gentek’s current care instructions and test cleaners in an inconspicuous area before treating an entire elevation.
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2
Avoid abrasive products
Do not use steel wool, abrasive scrubbers, strong solvents, or unapproved chemicals that could alter the surface.
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3
Control moisture and organic growth
Keep gutters functioning, correct persistent splashback, and address mildew or algae using manufacturer-approved procedures.
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4
Document unusual color change
Photograph affected walls in neutral daylight and contact the supplier or manufacturer before painting, refinishing, or replacing material that may be covered by a warranty.
Can Faded Vinyl Siding Be Restored?
Cleaning may restore the appearance when the problem is dirt, chalking, mildew, or atmospheric residue. It cannot reverse a permanent change in the material’s pigments.
Painting or refinishing vinyl siding should only be considered after reviewing the manufacturer’s instructions and warranty. Dark or incompatible paint colors may absorb excessive heat, contribute to panel distortion, and affect warranty coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gentek Sequoia Select completely fade-proof?
No exterior siding is completely immune to normal weathering. Sequoia Select is designed for fade resistance, and qualifying excessive color change is addressed under the applicable warranty.
Does .046-inch siding fade less than thinner siding?
Not simply because it is thicker. Panel thickness relates primarily to rigidity and product construction. Fade resistance depends more directly on pigments, formulation, stabilizers, testing, exposure, and maintenance.
Why does one side of a house look lighter?
Each elevation receives a different combination of sunlight, heat, shade, wind, moisture, and airborne residue. Uneven exposure can create different rates of weathering.
How can I verify a color-retention claim?
Review the current manufacturer specification and warranty, then verify whether the exact product profile and color appear in the current industry certification listing.
A More Confident Approach to Lasting Color
Gentek Sequoia Select .046 siding is a strong choice for homeowners who want premium panel construction alongside an engineered color system. Its ChromaTrue technology on darker shades, color-through construction, coordinated palette, and measurable warranty language provide a more meaningful basis for comparison than a color sample alone.
Explore Gentek Sequoia Select .046 SidingTalk With a Local Siding Specialist
Suburban Wholesale & Supply can help homeowners and contractors compare Gentek colors, profiles, accessories, current specifications, and warranty documents for projects throughout the Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa, and Western Illinois.
Technical References
- Gentek Building Products — Sequoia Select Vinyl Siding
- Gentek — Sequoia Select Limited Warranty
- Polymeric Exterior Products Association — Certified Vinyl Siding: Quality and Color You Can Count On
- ASTM International — ASTM D2244, Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences
- ASTM D6864 — Color and appearance retention of solid-colored plastic siding products.
- ASTM D7251 — Color and appearance retention of variegated-color plastic siding products.
- ASTM D3679 — Standard specification addressing rigid polyvinyl chloride siding.
Product specifications, certification listings, colors, and warranty terms may change. Confirm the current technical documents for the exact profile, color, production date, and installation before purchase.
Contractor Notes
We‘re here to help.
Suburban Wholesale & Supply works with contractors, remodelers, builders, and property professionals across Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island, and the wider Quad Cities. If Why Siding Colors Fade | Gentek .046 Vinyl Siding affects a project you are pricing, our team can help compare product lines, confirm available options, and prepare a quote that fits the opening, exterior, or jobsite requirements.
Our counter and showroom teams support window, patio door, entry door, storm door, siding, trim coil, gutter protection, and accessory orders every week. We can talk through manufacturer differences, color and finish selections, installation details, lead times, and documentation so you can give your customer clear answers before the work begins.
For current availability, contractor pricing, product literature, or help matching this topic to a real project, contact Suburban Wholesale & Supply or send the details through our quote form. We will help you move from product research to an accurate material order with fewer surprises.
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