Siding Things Up
Form and functionality are fundamental in siding trends
Heartland’s CedarMax Insulated Siding is a complete wall system that integrates the company’s Super Polymer Formulation with rigid foam insulation for a solid, contoured, fitted installation. The siding provides insulation and energy efficiency and delivers up to five times greater impact resistance than regular siding. CedarMAX features SPX-2000 UV Blocker that is melded into the siding surface to fight exposure to the elements and the sun’s UV rays. Heartland offers several profiles and a wide array of color choices to suit design styles.
“Energy efficiency continues to be top of mind and vinyl siding has a role to play,” says Drew Brandt, director of product marketing for CertainTeed Corporation. “While insulated vinyl siding was not included in ARRA tax credits, it was added to the HomeStar legislation as a qualified home improvement. Even though HomeStar stalled in Congress, the inclusion of vinyl siding is a signal that making homes more energy efficient goes beyond traditional improvements.
“Vinyl siding also features several key green attributes,” he adds. “Life cycle analysis tools, such as Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES), show that vinyl siding has a lower environmental impact than a majority of cladding options. In most manufacturing processes, scrap material can be reworked into the production process, resulting in virtually zero waste at the plant and alleviating the burden on local landfills.”
CertainTeed’s CedarBoards Double 6-in. insulated vinyl siding improves energy efficiency by insulating continuously over framing. CedarBoards breaks the thermal bridge created by the wood studs of a traditionally insulated wood framed wall and increases the overall thermal performance of the wall by up to 30 percent. CedarBoards vinyl cladding allows builders and designers to qualify for LEED-H, LEED-NC and NAHB green building credits for environmentally preferred products with recycled content.
“People don’t always think of vinyl siding when they want to choose an environmentally favorable product, but, in reality, it has excellent environmental performance compared with other exterior cladding,” explains Ply Gem’s Jerry Blais. “Vinyl siding and soffit products within all the Ply Gem siding brands are Green Approved by the NAHB Research Center.
Mastic Home Exteriors by Ply Gem offers its Quest Super Long Length premium vinyl siding in 25-ft 6-in. panels. Quest vinyl siding is now available in three lengths for efficient installation: 25-, 16- and 12-ft. panels. Available in 22 colors, this vinyl siding is sustainable and easy to maintain. It has been Green Approved by the NAHB Research Center National Green Building Certification to comply with specific green practice criteria in the National Green Building Standard, and can be used by builders to earn points toward National Green Building Certification to the Standard.
“Not only is vinyl siding an environmentally friendly choice, but it is also superior to other exterior products because of its long-term durability and lack of timely and expensive upkeep,” says Jenny Ball, marketing communications analyst for Mitten. “Vinyl siding rarely requires more than simple cleaning with a garden hose.”
Clad in Color
Exterior color can drastically affect a home’s value in a positive or negative way. Choosing a color that enhances the architectural style of the structure is the key to increasing a home’s value and curb appeal. While traditional white remains popular, homeowners enjoy choosing from the full color spectrum.
“Dark colors are all the rage and are in high demand. Across the country, everyone is requesting the dark colors; homeowners are looking for a way to differentiate themselves from their neighbors, and the rich dark colors allow them to do so,” says Ball.”
To enhance its existing line of dark siding colors, Mitten has recently undertaken a reformulation of its Advanced Color Technology. This “second generation” color technology promises better color performance and impact resistance. Mitten’s dark colors include khaki brown, chestnut brown, Richmond red, aviator green, grenadier green and Annapolis blue. Additionally, Mitten will offer its Fortress Premium Siding which features the company’s Secure Lock technology. The new locking system ensures optimum holding power for the life of the siding.
