High-end trends of vinyl siding

TN PART, vinyl siding owes its poplularitv to develooments that make it look less and less iike vinyl.

In addition to colors and textures that mimic natural wood, new shapes, styles, accessories and installation techniques are helping to make vinyl siding appear more like "vinyl carpentry."

Greater availability of traditionally crafted decorative trim to complement vinyl siding provides a wider, more versatile selection of design touches with a finished appearance. Vinyl siding can then be used in a greater variety of architectural situations, since the completed jobs don't have to look like ordinary vinyl siding trimmed with J-channels.

"Decorative trim can make the difference between an average house and a gorgeous home," says Rob Long, marketing manager for CertainTeed's Vinyl Building Products Group. "It accentuates the lines of a house, creates a traditionally crafted appearance, and gives a home greater curb appeal."

New trim, such as wider lineals, outside corner systems, corner posts and exterior crown moldings, helps eliminate telltale J-channels and unwoodlike details that make the average siding installation shout "vinyl" to the neighborhood.

Another major design trend quickly growing in tandem with vinyl car- pentry among remodelers is the application of two or more vinyl siding styles on one structure or one wall. This reproduces the texture and color of natural materials in a dynamic visual pattern and imparts appealing character to the structure.

Vinyl half-round shingles, for example, may be used effectively alone, in combination with other shingles, or even with other styles of siding. They can be used in a traditional style in high gables, with standard shingles or lap siding below. They can be used to form an accent strip between two contrasting types of siding, or can even be used in full wall treatments for an exotic effect.

According to Long, vinyl has been the leader in re-siding applications since the early 1980s, and its use continues to increase. "We've j ust reached a new level in the development of vinyl siding systems," he says. "Right now, remodelers can take advantage of the burgeoning vocabulary of products to create unique designs for their customers. It's a sales opportunity that competitive remodelers are using to build their businesses."

The differences in material costs between an ordinary vinyl re-siding job and one that has the appeal of vinyl carpentry is very small. The difference between finishing with Jchannels and accessories or finishins with decorative trim would amount to around $200 for an average house. So, for a job with a total installed cost of, say, $6,000, the difference would be about 3%o-but the customer gets a look that, in wood, could cost thousands of dollars more. Furthennore, once the installers have learned a few new techniques, installation remains quick and easy.

The same small cost differences apply in the mixing of siding products and profiles. In fact, mixing of super premium and standard products can result in a design that has more appeal

Story at a Glance

New developments that make it look more like wood mean more high-end siding jobs for vinyl.

and drama but costs less than a re-siding using a premium siding.

"As vinyl has become more natural in appearance, with textures, colors and trim that provide the beauty, style, and finished look of high quality wood products, it has become more desirable for use even at the most exclusive levels of remodeling," Long says.