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Vinyl Siding: The Story of Ameria's #1 Home Siding
Vinyl Siding didn't become the top selling siding in the U.S. by accident. It earned that spot over decades;
- by being affordable
- durable
- easy to iinstall
- and available in more colors and styles than any other siding on the market.
Today vinyl siding outsells all other siding materials combiined.
How Vinyl Siding Became #1
Vinyl Siding started in the 1950's as a low-cost alternative to wood. Early versions were basic but the industry kept improving the formulas, thicknesses, colors, and installation systems.
Today's vinyl siding is:
- Stronger
- More fade resistant
- More weather resistant
- More realistic in texture and grain
- Available in insu;lated and non-insulated versions
Modern vinyl siding can withstand 110 - 160 mph winds, depending on the grade and installation method.
This is why it dominates in coastal and high wind regions.
Why Homeowners Choose Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is the most affordable siding option on the market. Installed cost is typically half the price of real wood and significantyl less than fiber vement or engineered wood sidings.
You can choose from:
- Economy grades, great for rentals or budget flips,
- Contractor grades; most common
- Premium thick panel grade
- Insulated vinyl siding: factory applied foam backing.
Factory-applied foam insulation will reduce heat loss and save on energy costs.Insulated version help reduce heat looss through studs and improve enery efficiency.
Easy to Install
Vinyl siding is one of the easiest materials for contractors to install. It can go over:
- Old wood siding
- Stucco
- Brick (with furring strips)
- Existing vinyl in some cases.
This makes it ideal for older homes that need a facelift without major reconstruction.
Low Maintenance
Homeowners love vinyl because it's nearly maintenance free:
- No Painting
- No staining
- No scraping
- Not termite damage
- Just rinse with a garden hose
- Color runs through the material, so scratches barely show.
How Vinyl Performs in Tough Climates
Modern vinyl siding can be applied in almost any geographic area, even coastal harsh weather areas.
High UV and Sun Exposure
Modern vinyl siding is engineered with UV inhibitors that help it resist fading. In high-sun states like Florida, Arizona, and Texas, vinyl holds color well, especially in mid-tones and lighjter shades.
High Winds and Hurricanes
Vinyl siding is rated for 110 - 160 mph winds depending on the product and installation method.
Heavy Rain and Humidity
Vinyl does not absorb moisture, rot, or swell. It's one of the best materials for humid climates, second only to fiber cement in moisture resistance.
Snow and Freeze
Vinyl handles snow well but in extremely cold climates, premium thicker panels are recommended to reduce brittleness.
Styles, Profiles and Curb Appeal
Vinyl siding is made to look like real wood siding. It comes in all the standard styles that wood siding comes in. It comes in different textures that look like smooth planks or cedar texture that look like real cedar wood.
Vinyl siding comes in more styles than any other material.Vinyl siding comes in more styles than any other siding material.
Styles
The most common styles of siding are:
- Clapboard or Lap
- Board and Batten, sometimes called Barn Siding
- Cedar Shake
Each style comes in multiple widths, textures, and colors. This flexibility lets the homeowners match:
- Craftsman
- Colonial
- Ranch
- Cottage
- Modern farmhouse
- Coastal
Vinyl can dramatically improve curb appeal and make an older home look brand new again.
Click on any of the Styles for more detailed information:
Clapboard Siding
Clapboard Siding is one of the most popular types of vinyl siding. Clapboard siding runs horizontally across your house from end to end. It looks like long boards of wooden planks running across the house.
Clapboard Siding runs horizontally across the house. Classic look, great for colonial-style houses.
Clapboard Siding Styles
Clapboard Style SidingVinyl siding is manufactured to look just like wooden siding, so all the popular wood siding types and styles are represented in vinyl.
When people talk about the 'type' of siding, especially clapboard siding, they are really speaking of the 'profile' or style of the siding, what the individual planks look like. Do they look like long planks of wood running horizontally across the house or do they look like long planks of wood running vertically up and down the house?
When people talk about the 'type' of siding, especially clapboard siding, they are really speaking of the 'profile' of the siding, what the individual planks look like. Do they look like long planks of wood running horizontally across the house or do they look like long planks of wood running vertically up and down the house?
Board and Batten Vinyl Siding
Board and Batten Siding is one of the more popular types or styles of home siding. This type of siding runs up and down on the house or vertically. It has been a popular choice of home siding for centuries in both Europe and America. Sometimes called 'barn siding' because it was so popular when used on barns all across the US.
Board and Batten Style Siding runs up and down the house, and is sometimes referred to as Barn Siding.
Board and Batten siding is one of the most popular siding styles.
Board and Batten is one of the more popular siding styles. It comes in vinyl, fiber cement, engineered wood, and real wood.Another very popular type of home siding is the Cedar Shake Siding. Used by homeowners for hundreds of years.
Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding
Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding is siding the looks like real cedar wood shakes. Old style of siding that has been around for centuries. However, it is still one of the most popular styles or types of siding around.
Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding looks just like Cedar Shake Siding. Low maintenance, never rots, never needs painting.
Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding looks like real cedar wood shakes with much less maintenance. Never paint or stain.
Cedar Vinyl siding in a straight pattern has the look of real cedar shingles with much less maintenance than wood.What is 'builder grade siding? Click here to find out more about Builder Grade Siding.
People use several different types, styles, and colors of vinyl siding on their homes to create a special look.
CertainTeed Vinyl Cedar ShakesHere the owner has used several different types of vinyl siding on the house to create his taste. 'Horizontal' or 'clapboard' siding on the main house, with 'vinyl cedar shakes' on the top gable ends.
White half-round shingles used for accent. Great look at half the cost or maintenance of real wood siding. And you never have to paint!
Choosing the right look for your house is all about the creative use of the different siding options. Homeowners often choose several distinct types, styles, colors, textures, and trim to create a distinct look.
Look at each type and image what it would look like on your house.
Beaded Clapboard
CertainTeed Beaded Vinyl SidingBeaded Clapboard is a trendy style of horizontal siding. Each panel has a rounded grove or notch that runs along the bottom of each panel giving it a unique shadow line.
To see more information on beaded vinyl siding Click Here Beaded Vinyl Siding.
Using distinctive styles together to get a unique look on your house. Lots of people combine two or more styles of siding on the same house.
Vinyl Cedar Shake and Board and Batten are used to create a unique look.
Clapboard and Board and Batten are used to create a special look.Here Board and Batten Siding is used as an accent on the house with Clapboard siding. It adds a very distinct look.
Barn Style Siding
Board and Batten on old barnsBoard and Batten siding is sometimes called 'Barn Siding' because it was used on barns all across the U.S. for centuries. You can see it everywhere when you drive around the country.
Great use of stone and cedar shake, all used togetherThere is nothing that gives a home that warm rustic outdoor look like cedar shakes. Made to look just like real cedar wooden shakes.
Vinyl cedar shake looks like real wood but without the high maintenance and up-keep of wood.
It will not rot, never needs painting and termites won't eat it. Just wash it down once or twice a year with the garden hose and you will have that charming look for a lifetime.
Some premium brands of vinyl cedar shakes are wind tested to withstand hurricane force winds making it an excellent choice in areas where harsh weather is a concern.
To see more information and pictures of Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding...click here.
To see more pictures of homes using different vinyl sidings visit our pictures page...Pictures of Homes Using Vinyl Siding.
Insulated Vinyl Siding
Insulated vinyl siding is one of the most energy saving types of vinyl siding because it will save you money on your energy costs for years.
Lowering energy costs has become a big deal now.
Most people use insulated siding when it fits the budget or attach foam insulation directly to the exterior walls to help cut energy cost.
Thermal pic showing heat loss through walls.
After installing insulated siding.
Insulated Vinyl Siding with factory-applied foam backing to help with energy loss.
Regular Vinyl Siding with no insulation
Insulated Vinyl Siding with factory-applied foam.Most Premium grades of vinyl siding comes in insulated versions. These sidings have foam insulation factory applied to the back side of each piece of siding.
This foam insulation greatly increases the "R" value of the exterior walls and helps cut energy costs over the years. Insulated siding costs a little more than regular siding but will make up the difference in the energy savings over the years.
Insulated vinyl siding is also more rigid than regular siding and looks better.
To see more information on Insulated Vinyl Siding click here: Insulated Vinyl Siding
To see more information on all types of vinyl siding and how it can be used to increase the value of your home, Click Here to Go To Vinyl Siding Institute
Don't Forget the Trim
Great looking Trim, never paint trim again.
Note from the contractor:
You can cover all the exterior trim, so you never have to climb up a ladder and paint again.
Vinyl is strong, inexpensive, will not rot, never needs painting and is easy to clean with a garden hose.
IdeaMr.Contractor SaysLike one of these products?
If you like any of these products gather some information on the type of siding you like and write it down so you can go over the information with your contractor.
Make a notebook to store information on each product you like.If you think you might like one of these siding styles, make notes in your workbook and go over them with your contractor.
Once you have picked out several types, styles, colors, thickness, and textures, sit down and ask your contractor for his input. He does this type of work all the time and may offer you some money-saving tips.
To see more information on the different 'Styles' and types of vinyl siding click here...Vinyl Siding Styles.
Vinyl Log Siding
Vinyl log siding is a product that looks exactly like a log cabin without the cost and high maintenance of real wood.
Vinyl Log Siding never needs painting, won't rot, and can be washed off using the garden hose.
Vinyl Log SidingVinyl log siding takes the homeowner back to colonial days with a modern twist. Less cost and maintenance.
Vinyl Log siding offers the homeowner all the rustic outdoor looks of a real log home without the cost or high maintenance of real log homes.
Never needs painting and termites won't eat it!
Click here for more information on Vinyl Log Siding.
There are other types of home siding other than vinyl. Vinyl is the largest selling home siding but there are many other types of siding.
A Little Siding History
Early log cabin in the forest.The first colonist cut down trees and made log cabins to live in.
Soon they began to cut down a tree and saw it into many long narrow boards. They used the boards as a siding to cover their houses.
This 'siding' kept the harsh winter winds from blowing between the cracks of the logs. This was a major milestone in building homes.
More about the History of Siding click here.
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