More Americans side with vinyl F

TrHE LATEST census data confirms vinyl siding's posiI tion as the number one choice for exterior cladding for single-family homes-it is selected nearly twice as often as the closest competitive materials.

According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, progressive planners, developers, construction professionals and homeowners recognize that significant advances in the manufacture and installation of vinyl siding make it a great choice-whether for remodeling or new construction-for long-term durability, beauty and value.

"There's no property more personal than a home," said VSI president Jery Y. Huntley. "Over the last decade, vinyl siding manufacturers have focused on advancing the technology and engineering of their vinyl siding products, and they've also responded to homeowner demand by introducing a dramatic range of colors, trim styles and profiles. With progressive design considerations and vinyl siding as a high-performance option, communities can reflect the individual styles of their residents, and count on the homes in the neighborhood to look great for decades down the road."

In fact, vinyl siding manufactured today typically includes warranty coverage among the longest in the

Shipments of Mnyl Siding and Soffit Squares

VINYL remains the most popular choice for siding-and demand is again growing, despite an onslaught of competing materials.

cladding industry. Thanks to a third-party administered vinyl siding certification program sponsored by VSI, 96% of vinyl siding manufactured in the U.S. is certified to meet or exceed the industry standard, ASTM D3619.

In addition, VSI can help link your homeowner customers with qualified vinyl installers through its new Certified Installer Program. Installers must complete a rigorous course of study and examination on the proper installation techniques for vinyl siding, soffit and accessories, based on the ASTM D4756 standard.

"Viny1 siding has a proven history of service in demanding applications," said Huntley. "Certified vinyl siding and certified installers offer the peace of mind that city planners, developers and architects demand. They can count on enhanced overall appearance of a home, while homeowners get the ease of maintenance and durability they expect."

Another reason confidence is high in vinyl siding is the value it adds to a home. According to a recent study, homeowners who remodeled with vinyl siding recovered more than 98Vo of the cost when they sold their home (the average value recovery for home improvement projects overall isjust 867o).

And the National Association of Home Builders Model Green Home Building Guidelines recognized vinyl siding as a building material that requires no additional finish resources to complete application on site.

Even historic homes undergoing renovation can benefit from the improvements in vinyl siding, as profiles and colors have been designed and engineered with the flexibility to match historic period details. A National Park Service Preservation document states that for historic residential buildings, vinyl siding is an acceptable alternative if the existing exterior cannot be adequately repaired, if the substitute material can be installed and still maintain the architectural features and trim of the building, and if the substitute materials can match the historic materials in size, profile and finish so that the character of the historic building remains intact. Vinyl siding can meet each requirement.