Homeowners facing another round of house painting, or the re-siding of their home, may wonder if vinyl siding is the answer. Those who are hoping for a low maintenance option, and those homeowners who are skeptical that vinyl siding will offer the same options as wood, may be pleasantly surprised at all vinyl siding has to offer today.
What is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl house siding is composed of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. This flame retardant, durable material can be shaped to form clapboard, shingles, scallops and other house siding designs. The material can be heavily grooved and wood grain simulated, or smooth, and can even realistically recreate cedar shingles. Installation options involve both standard and Dutchlap, as well as board and batten and other traditional siding styles.
With the color going straight through the material, vinyl siding never needs repainting, and can resist fading from the sun. Combined with specialty finishes, this makes vinyl siding an attractive option for homes near salt water, or a great deal of direct sunlight, and homes with special, historical design features.
Vinyl siding can be easily cleaned and maintained, with little effort from the homeowner. Insulated vinyl siding is also available to help lower heating and cooling costs of the home, as well as CO2 emissions.
Why Vinyl Instead of Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is another attractive option for a flame retardant and durable material, but it does have some drawbacks. The color of the siding does not go through the material, meaning that it is subject to fading from the elements, and will need to be repainted periodically. Vinyl siding also offers more styles and realistic wood grain options for homeowners hoping to keep a home’s curb appeal high. Vinyl siding has also been used in several historical restoration projects, making it a more attractive option for older homes.
Vinyl Siding Color Options
There are more than 350 vinyl siding colors on the market today. Traditional muted tones, and pastels, as well as rich colors like barn reds and deep greens. These colors have been thoroughly tested and certified to meet standards for color retention, meaning that they will not fade and never need repainting.
Durability
Vinyl siding is able to withstand high winds up to 110 mph or higher, as well as heat, cold and moisture. Combined with its chlorine base, which does not ignite quickly in case of fire, vinyl siding is able to withstand many years of environmental abuse safely. Because of its non-porous surface, vinyl siding does not rot, and can help to protect the integrity of the home.
Vinyl siding has been used since the 1960s as a low cost and maintenance option for home siding. These attributes, combined with today’s new manufacturing and design influences mean that vinyl siding is one of the major products in home siding today. Visit a vinyl siding showroom to see the options available, and see its beauty and style now.
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