DuPont Tedlar is a polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film laminated to aluminum or steel. It is a step above painted coil for buildings that face salt air, chemicals or heavy sun.
What Tedlar is
Kynar 500 is a PVDF resin in a liquid paint that is baked onto the coil. Tedlar is different: a solid PVF film bonded to the metal surface. Because the film is made before it goes on the metal, its thickness and surface are uniform across the coil.
Where it makes sense
- Coastal buildings. The film resists salt spray, including on oceanfront properties.
- Harsh exposure. It resists fading, chalking, cracking and blistering from sun, acid rain and dirt, and it stands up to many chemicals.
- Tight forming. The film is flexible, so it can be bent into tight profiles without cracking or losing adhesion.
- Long service life. Owners who want a building to look the same for decades choose it to cut down on repainting and replacement.
The trade-offs
- It costs more than painted coil.
- The color range is smaller than the paint charts. It covers the popular PVDF colors, including blacks, grays, browns, bronzes and whites.
- It isn’t meant to be painted later, so pick the color up front.
- It is usually a special order. Ask for the lead time when you request a quote.
Warranty
The warranty length depends on the film and the laminator. Ask for the warranty document for the exact product before you order, and keep it with the job file. Our warranties page explains how finish warranties work.
Documents
The Tedlar brochure, a Tedlar presentation and two case studies, including Spring Creek Ranch, are on our documents and downloads page.
Questions
Is Tedlar better than Kynar 500?
For most roofs, Kynar 500 is enough and costs less. Tedlar makes sense for coastal, chemical or high-visibility projects where the extra protection pays off.
Can I bend Tedlar-coated coil on a brake?
Yes, the film is made to be formed. Use clean, padded tooling as you would with any painted coil.
Which metals can it go on?
It is laminated to aluminum or steel. Ask which combination fits your project.
Compare with painted Kynar 500 coil and sheet and the metal roofing color chart.