8 tips for choosing vinyl siding

When the question arises, than decorate the balcony or the facade of the house, often the choice falls on vinyl siding - a material that has proven itself and is in increasing demand due to its many advantages. Today, manufacturers offer several types of siding that are different in operational properties, and you can talk about the variety of colors and relief for an infinitely long time. Understanding all this can be difficult even for a professional builder, what can we say about beginners? Our vinyl siding tips will help you find the best fit for your needs.

No. 1. What are the main properties of vinyl siding?

The first thing that interests buyers is the properties of the material, because everyone wants to evaluate how suitable it is for a particular purpose. Having appeared in the middle of the last century, this material first conquered North America, and then the whole world. The reason for this is mass of positive qualities, which today continue to distinguish vinyl siding against the backdrop of analogues:

• resistance to temperature extremes, to high and low temperatures, humidity, solar radiation, as well as to non-concentrated solutions of acids and alkalis;
• resistance to medium mechanical damage, cracking and delamination, so we can talk about a long service life, which reaches 50 years;
• insects cannot do any harm to the materialas well as corrosion or fungus;
• a light weight and a simple installation scheme allows you to cope with all the work even not very experienced builder;
• absolutely safe for health;
• a large assortment.

Of the disadvantages only the ability to melt at high temperatures can be distinguished. It is clear that vinyl siding is inferior to wood or metal in mechanical strength, but it is not so easy to damage it, so it will retain its original appearance for a very long time.

No. 2. Composition and properties

Vinyl siding owes all its advantages to composition. Of course, the main components remain unchanged, but these or other additives, as well as their amount, can affect some properties of the material. So, vinyl siding includes the following substances:

• polyvinyl chloridewhich about 80% and which gave the name to the material. If the manufacturer used recyclable materials, then the quality of vinyl plastic can drop markedly. Sometimes part of the recyclable materials can reach up to 70% - as a result, a cheap, but not the best material in terms of operational and aesthetic qualities is obtained. So that the finished siding does not lose useful qualities, the share of processed raw materials should not exceed 5%, and then in the lower layer;
• calcium carbonate. Its part reaches 15%, it is part of the lower layer and fills the structure of the material;
• titanium dioxide contained in the upper layer and provides color consistency, resistance to sunlight and structural stability;
• butadieneand in the composition no more than 1%, but it is necessary to stabilize the composition;
• pigments of paint that are responsible for a certain shade.In production, the material of the same series can have a slightly different shade, so it is better to purchase siding in one batch;
• modifiers. Their composition and quantity can vary significantly, which will determine the performance of the material. Due to additives, siding, for example, can be more resistant to sunlight or mechanical damage. The more additives and the more valuable the properties of the finished material, the higher the price, so before buying you need to know in what conditions the material will be used.

No. 3. Features of production and quality of vinyl siding

Some of its properties depend on the characteristics of the production of vinyl siding, which is quite natural. The basis of manufacturing is extrusion, the essence of which is as follows. All components of the future siding are mixed at high temperature, and then the mixture is forced through the hole, forming a tape. In the production process, it is cut into separate parts, which are given the desired shape. After solidification, the form is retained. The differences are what extrusion technology is used.

Vinyl siding can be divided into two types:

• made by technology single extrusion. In this case, the material is made from one mixture, forming as a result a material with the same properties of the inner and outer sides;
• made by technology coextrusion. This is a more modern way, which allows you to give different properties to different sides of the siding sheet. The outer part, which occupies 25% of the total material, is made of a mixture with a large number of modifiers to increase resistance to environmental factors. The inner part is made with fewer additives, but more durable and heat resistant. The layers combine at the molecular level, forming a holistic material. This technology is cheaper.

Number 4. Types of siding by purpose

Vinyl siding depending on the destination can be divided into several types:

• soffit. Designed for facing horizontal surfaces. It can be continuous, partially or completely perforated. Perforation improves ventilation;
• wall. Designed for cladding vertical surfaces. It can be smooth, imitate the structure of wood or stone;
• basement. These are small sheets that have increased strength and can be used even when facing the socles of buildings - the most vulnerable place for various kinds of mechanical damage. The thickness of such panels reaches 3-4 mm.

No. 5. The main parameters of vinyl siding

If it’s not about basement siding, then panel thickness ranges from 1-1.2 mm, but experts do not recommend taking material with a thickness of less than 1.1 mm. The length and width may vary significantly depending on the manufacturer. So, the length of the siding can be 2.5-4 m, but width - 20-30 cm. A medium sized siding sheet weighs no more than 2 kg.

Depending on the appearance of the siding, when choosing a material, it is worth paying attention to some other parameters. Today, it is very common herringbone siding, and in this case, an indicator such as the form factor that determines the number of waves of the Christmas tree is added.

In the marking, siding is indicated as:

• with a single herringbone S,
• with double - D,
• with a triple - T.

The number following the letter indicates the width of the panel in inches. For example, siding marked D 4.5 means a panel with a double herringbone wavelength of 4.5 inches.

No. 6. Color and texture

Panels can be not only smooth or herringbone, but also imitate timberblock house or stone. This is an excellent solution for facades, because along with excellent performance this material also has decent performance.

The color of the siding can be absolutely any. Light standard shades are most in demand - these are calm green, yellow, pink, brown, beige and others.Recently, manufacturers offer a lot of bright colors, so equip the facade can be for every taste.

Number 7. What to consider when buying?

When there is a clear idea of ​​which siding is suitable in your case, what color and size it should be, it is important to purchase a quality product. It depends on how careful you are when buying. You need to pay attention to the following things:

• color should be uniform. If the bottom layer is gray, then secondary raw materials were used in the production. The most expensive siding will be painted the same on both sides, and on the cheaper material the inside will be slightly lighter - the manufacturer saves on pigment. This does not affect the quality, so often the choice falls on this option;
• outer side must not contain defects in the form of cracks, peeling, etc., otherwise the surface will quickly lose its appearance during operation. Siding should have a matte surface - glossy spoils faster, heats up and fades;
• the thickness should be the same along the entire length of the material, which is important for even load distribution;
• vinyl siding panels should be plasticOtherwise, they will not differ in durability during operation. Check it out is simple. It is enough to bend the tip near the edge: even a crack will not remain on a good material, and if this piece is broken, then the material is clearly not the most durable;
• Availability anti-hurricane castle - not just an advantage, but a necessity. This is a bend over the mounting holes, which increases the reliability of the connection and the tensile strength;
• quality of nail holes. They should be the same in shape and size, be on the same level, have smooth edges. Otherwise, we can talk about a violation of the process during production;
• packaging. A reliable manufacturer will not save on packaging and supply siding in polyethylene so that the sheets do not deform, it is better to transport them in boxes made of hard cardboard. Consequently, packaging hints at the quality of products.

Number 8. Which manufacturers should I pay attention to?

TOP 5 global manufacturers

Siding appeared in North America, where they still produce the highest quality product. Material from companies from the USA and Canada is the most expensive, but it is also a leader in quality.

Mitten

A Canadian company that has been producing vinyl siding since 1957. During this time, the manufacturer has become a market leader, and the highest quality products are confirmed by a guarantee for 50 years! As for diversity, it is not difficult to find a siding suitable in color and shape. The only drawback is the high price, but this is a fee for confidence in the material and for its durability.

Gentek

The main competitor of the previous company. It has been operating since 1965, all production facilities are located in Canada, and the manufacturer gives a 55 year warranty on its products. The company siding is characterized by high mechanical strength, precise geometry, resistance to fading and a beautiful texture.

Georgia Pacific

A company from the USA, which has long been on the market, and entered the domestic market in the 90s. Product Warranty - 50 years. In assortment there is a siding for a socle, vertical and horizontal surfaces. Collections are constantly replenished, and finding the right color material is not difficult. Recently appeared saturated burgundy and brown shades.

Foundry

This manufacturer from the USA is also confidently among the leaders in the field. Like others, it provides a guarantee for its products for 50 years. The assortment has all types of vinyl siding, and the appearance here is given no less importance than operational performance. If the sheets repeat the structure of stone or wood, then the maximum naturalness is preserved, and on a segment of 14 meters it will be impossible to find repeating elements.

Novik

A young Canadian manufacturer who began operations in 1995. Over the years, he managed not only to break out of the leadership in the local market, but also to conquer the whole world. The company’s products are also widely represented on the domestic market. Basically, this is a basement vinyl siding, which is characterized by excellent properties and excellent appearance, very precisely repeats the structure of stone, wood, bricks and other materials.

TOP 5 Russian manufacturers

Docke

It is a leader among domestic manufacturers of vinyl siding. The company entered the market in 2005, developed very rapidly, and today it has two plants, a wide range of products, a lot of representative offices throughout the country and abroad, thousands of positive reviews. Choosing vinyl siding is sufficient to find the right option. Prices are much lower than that of imported counterparts, and the quality is level.

Alta Profile

The company was the first in Russia to start producing vinyl siding; it has been operating since 1999. Today, the manufacturer offers several extensive collections of siding, and in the manufacture it uses all the world achievements and its own developments. The material will serve faithfully for at least 30 years. Experts compare the quality of products with some American and Canadian companies operating in the economy segment, but at the same time, prices at Alta-Profile are much lower.

Grand line

Initially, the company produced metal roofing and fences, recently began to produce vinyl siding, which succeeded. Today in the assortment are all types of siding, including and spotlights. Production is conducted according to American technology using imported modern equipment, therefore the quality of the products is quite high, and the guarantee is 50 years, as with foreign manufacturers.

Northside

The company has been operating in St. Petersburg since 2001, immediately headed for the production of vinyl siding and today is considered one of the leaders in the field among domestic manufacturers. Production is carried out taking into account the highest standards, in operation the material behaves perfectly, the choice of textures and colors, although not the richest, but quite sufficient for most.

Holzplast

The company from Tver, has been operating in the market since 2005, and supplies not only throughout the country, but also abroad. German equipment is used to make siding, tight control of production is carried out at all stages, which allows to produce products of the highest quality.