What is the life span of color coated panels with various coatings

A color coated panel, also known as a pre-painted panel or a pre-coated panel, is a building material that has gained popularity in recent years. It is made by applying a layer of color coating onto a metal panel, typically steel or aluminum, through a continuous coil coating process.

So, what is the life span of color coated panels with various coatings? Let us explore the different types of coatings and their expected life spans in detail.

Polyester（PE）Coating

Polyester coating is the most basic and commonly used type of coating for color coated panels. It is a thermosetting polymer that provides a durable and smooth finish to the panels.However, it is not suitable for harsh environments or high temperatures, as it can fade and lose its protective properties over time.  Polyester coating is available in a wide range of colors, making it suitable for various aesthetic requirements.

The life span of polyester coating depends on the coating thickness and the environment. Generally, polyester coating can last for 10 years in moderate climates, but it may deteriorate faster in harsh environments with high levels of pollution or exposure to UV radiation.

Silicon modified polyesters（SMP）Coating

SMP coating is a modified polyester coating that offers a balance between affordability and durability. The membrane of the finish coat of this kind has excellent rigidity, abrasion resistance, thermal resistance, good out-side durability, chalking resistance, high retention of color and luster, ordinary flexibility, moderate cost, etc. It is a popular choice for residential buildings and offers decent protection against weather elements. It has a longer lifespan than PE, 10-15 years.

High-durability polyester (HDP) Coating

HDP adopts the high molecular weight resin with little branched chain polymer, stable bond energy and resistance to photolysis, so HDP has a relatively good resistance to chalking and excellent retention of luster.

The finish coat of this kind has excellent retention of color,resistance of ultra-violet radiation, strong outdoors durability, chalking resistance, strong adhesion to the base metal, plenty of colors and relatively lower cost compared to the same quality. HDP has a longer lifespan than regular polyester and SMP, reaching 15-20 years.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Coating

PVDF coating is a high-performance coating that has excellent color retention and UV resistance, excellent outdoor durability and chalking resistance, excellent solvent resistance, good moulding properties, dirt resistance, Limited colors, high cost.

PVDF denotes polyvinylidene fluoride. The fluorine-carbon bond formed by a fluorine atom with the largest electronegativity, together with its unique symmetry of molecule, lets the PVDF has an extra stability, unique resistance to photolysis of ultra-violate radiation, excellent insulation and mechanical properties. Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Coatings have a long life of 25-30 years, and can last much longer if the environment permits and care is taken.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of the four commonly used coatings and their service life introduced by Solideck. The service life of color coated panels is not only related to the thickness of the coating type, but also related to the environment, installation and maintenance, so that homeowners can choose according to their own situation.