subject: Vinyl Siding: Then And Now [print this page] Vinyl siding is an economic and environmentally friendly. It is also a way to reduce energy consumption, saving the consumer money that they can spend on other things.
In the 1950s, it was introduced in Columbus, Ohio. The colors were manually blended, making it difficult to produce and install a consistent quality product. There was a lot of waste in the manufacturing and during the installation of the product.
A transformation came about during the 1970s. There were many changes in the formulation of the product. There was an introduction of more colors, better resistance to impact, and speed of production of the product increased dramatically.
The vinyl siding of today boosts a homes energy savings. It is the choice of more consumers than any other product. The manufacturers of this product are now regulated by the Vinyl Siding Institute. The institute also sponsors installation certification programs for contractors. There is a lot less waste during the manufacturing and installation of this product; making it a green product.
Todays siding consists of two layers of PVC. The top layer which is called the weatherable capstock, counts for one third of the products thickness. It consists of the pigment and harbors UV resistance to breakdown. There is some fading of color over time, but it is slower with vinyl. One thing to remember is that the intensity of the color decides the fade rate, the color barn red will fade faster than a neutral clay color. The lower layer of the siding is known as substrate, and consists of about fifteen percent ground limestone. Using limestone reduces costs and works better with the top layer which makes manufacturing a smoother process.
There are many thicknesses of available on the market. The most common thickness is .40 and is called builders grade. The thicker the siding the more durable it is and will have a longer life expectancy and better resistance which is the major complaint against it cracking in very cold weather and being hit with a hard object such as hail.
Today, vinyl siding is the number one choice for the exterior of a home in the United States and Canada. There is a large selection of more than 350 different colors and trim available to builders, architects and homeowners for use on new home construction, restoration or renovation. Making a color change on the exterior of a home is now affordable and relatively easy.
Even insulated vinyl siding can copy the look and feel of a solid wood plank. It delivers durability, energy efficiency, and long-lasting curb appeal to any home its installed on.
Environmentally, it is smiled upon. It installs easily, quickly, and efficiently when done by a certified contractor. The money saved in materials and paint costs that were used to maintain the old siding along with taking into consideration a persons time spent painting it can be substantial. Instead, homeowners enjoy more time for favorite things that are more important.
