Siding Things Up

“For homeowners, color continues to be an important way to differentiate a home,” says CertainTeed’s Drew Brandt. “Color can create different feelings, match different styles, add to historical significance, or promote the homeowner’s personality. White can be modern or historical depending on other design choices. Natural tones can help soften a home into its landscape.

“In addition, new color technologies are allowing the vinyl siding color palettes to expand significantly with deeper, more vibrant shades,” he adds. “This gives homeowners the ability to create distinctive curb appeal to distinguish their projects in a neighborhood. Vinyl siding is also durable and often backed by lifetime warranties.”

“Dark colors on vinyl siding are gaining popularity,” says Jerry Blais. “Years ago, manufacturers were unable to produce darker colors because of stringent performance requirements in the field. Now, technological advancements and our ability to infuse color into the siding during the extrusion process are resulting in lasting color performance, even after years of exposure to sun and weather.”

Variform by Ply Gem has expanded the Ashton Heights collection to include four dark ScenicScapes hues, all with ultra-low-gloss finish. The new shades include willow, river bend, granite and canyon. These new ScenicScapes colors are made with Permahue color enhancer during the color process for long-lasting color. The Ashton Heights collection is available in Double 4-in. Traditional Lap, Double 5-in. Traditional Lap and Double 4.5-in. Dutch Lap and includes a double-staggered nail hem.

“Although the whites and earth-tones remain extremely popular, homeowners are increasingly wanting the option to select from a palette of warmer and cooler color choices,” says Joe Klink. “This year Heartland Siding introduced new colors, and categorized our colors into three collections: Lifestyle, Americana and Signature.

“Mixing technology of vinyl siding today is far advanced from when it was first introduced several decades ago,” adds Klink. “For example Heartland Siding incorporates Tri-Pigment Reflective Technology which reflects heat away from the surface of the siding.”

Nailite’s RoughSawn Cedar features 6-1/2-in. shingle exposure for the look of rough-cut individual shingles. This vinyl cladding is available in the company’s Weathered, Coastal and Classic designs. Available colors range from sunset cedar and coastal brown to canary yellow and forest green.

Fiber Cement

“Fiber cement siding provides an unmatched combination of benefits to homeowners — durability, protection, sustainability and return on investment,” says John Dybsky, product manager for James Hardie Building Products.
“There are two very popular trends in fiber cement siding — houses with a complete fiber cement exterior and factory-applied color,” adds Dybsky. “Both of these trends are about durability and aesthetics. Homeowners and builders are now relying on James Hardie Building Products for siding, fascia, trim and crown moulding, which achieve a finished, polished look and the protection from termites, swelling and rotting.”

James Hardie Building Products offers fiber cement siding with ColorPlus Technology — a fade-resistant, baked-on finish that won’t peel or chip and is designed to withstand the specific hazards of the climates in which they are installed. The low-maintenance finish maintains its beauty and has superior fade resistance as well as resistance to high-moisture conditions. The finish has a 15-year warranty that covers both paint and labor, and it is available in 24 colors.

Nichiha USA, producer of fiber cement siding and accessories, now offers Sierra Premium Shake Plus boards, a longer version of its shake siding. These 1/2-in. boards are 9 in. in height and 9-1/4 ft. long for installation ease and a clean look. The siding has a deep cedar grain and is factory primed and sealed on six sides. Sierra Premium Shake Plus boards are available in colors including sequoia, moss, saddle, Nantucket, honey and dusk, and macadamia. The boards come with a 15-year warranty.

MaxiTile’s MultiShake comes in 4-ft. panels designed to decorate large accent areas or to use in full wall applications with the look of six individual shingles all in one single panel. The large size panel provides fast and simple installation. MaxiPrime factory priming is available on all MaxiSiding products.