Outdoor testing benchmarks
Material scientists often use “Florida Weathering” or “Arizona Weathering” as international benchmarks for material weatherability testing. For a complete outdoor testing program, many companies test their products in both Florida and Arizona.

Q-Lab Florida: Subtropical Exposures
Q-Lab’s Florida exposure site is located south of Miami on the southern tip of Florida, in the only true subtropical region in the continental United States. This site has high-intensity sunlight, high annual UV, high year-around temperatures, abundant rainfall, and very high humidity. When combined, these factors create the harsh climate that makes Miami the ideal location for testing exterior durability.

Q-Lab Arizona: Desert Sunshine Exposures
Arizona is a benchmark location for outdoor durability tests because of its high-intensity sunlight and high year-around temperatures.

Compared with Florida, the Arizona test site offers about 20% more sunlight, higher annual temperatures, and lower humidity. During the summer, the air temperature may reach 115oF (46oC) and a black body sensor may reach over 160oF (71oC).