Choosing Siding? Things You NEED to Know
Locking System
What it is: Joins two panels together. Enables the siding to stay firmly in place and resist lifting up in strong winds. Creates a rigid beam along the panel to help span wall imperfections.
What to look for: A properly designed locking system should always allow the panel to slide freely within the lock.
Nailing Hem
What it is: The top edge of a panel that's nailed to the wall.
What to look for: Elongated slots that allow the panel to slide on the nail and to expand or contract with weather extremes. For areas that experience high winds, insist on reinforced double hems designed to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Panel Thickness and Rigidity
Why it's important:Thick, rigid panels provide greater wind resistance, withstand dents and lie flatter and straighter against the wall.
What to look for: Optimum panel thickness should be .040" to .048" depending on style and design. Thinner gauge works well for stable climates; thicker gauge is recommended for areas with high winds and extreme temperature changes.
Finish and Profile
What it is: Finish refers to the texture of the panel. Typical finishes are smooth, wood grain or cedar grain. Profile refers to the specific design and exposure size of a panel. Typical profiles are clapboard, Dutch Lap, beaded, vertical, and shakes and scallops.
What to look for: Both finish and profile are a matter of personal choice and your home's architectural style.
Panel Projection
What it is: Panel projection is a measure of the distance a siding panel extends out from the wall. Projection affects panel performance, rigidity, and shadow line.
What to look for: Maximum projection for the style selected.
Formulation and Chemistry
What it is: Formulation and chemistry refer to the ingredients that make up the vinyl as well as how it is formed.
What to look for: High grades of impact modifiers, premium stabilizers and high concentrations of titanium dioxide ensure the best impact resistance, weathering and color retention. High temperature fusion and post formulation are manufacturing methods that produce stronger panels.
Wind Load Pressure
What it is: Measurement of how well a panel can be expected to perform in high wind areas.
What to look for: Negative wind load pressure rating which determines actual wind load capacity. Positive wind load tests are not a true measure of wind load pressure.
Color Quality
Why it's important: Panels formulated with high quality ingredients retain color much longer and make matching panels during repairs or remodeling easier.
What to look for: Color that goes all the way through the panel. Avoid siding with a gray backing. Also avoid low quality fillers which can cause color fade and chalking.
