How well does it wear? What about high winds? Will it dent
and scratch? These are questions that deal with siding performance.
Given the numerous vinyl siding choices on the market, it's
difficult to distinguish clear differences in each one, but
there are structural characteristics that can help you tell
the merely adequate from the top performers. Here's what to
look for:
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, woodgrain 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 postformulation
are manufacturing methods that produce stronger panels.
 Windload
Pressure
What it is: Measurement of how well a panel can
be expected to perform in high wind areas.
What to look for: Negative windload pressure rating
which determines actual windload capacity. Positive windload
tests are not a true measure of windload 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.
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