New Dark Trend in Vinyl Sidings

Vinyl siding on a house saves huge amounts of re-painting and waterproofing and general maintenance. If you have often wished that you could have vinyl siding on your house, but did not like the pale grays, whites and pastels that were the only option, then read on.

A new product has been introduced into the manufacture of vinyl siding which means that suddenly we can have dark and intense colors in vinyl siding! So anyone who prefers the natural dark woody look on the exterior of their home can now choose a dark brown color yet still have the maintenance free care that comes with vinyl home coverings. The most you may have to do is to wash it once a year, and even then it does not usually need a power washer; a garden hose will do it.

Why the sudden increase in choice of color? Well, the original vinyl siding was known to fade slightly with weathering, so it was only ever introduced in the pale - fade-friendly - colors. This fading tendency is because vinyl siding is made in two layers: first is the substrate layer of PVC, and second is cap stock layer (which is the top layer to protect against weathering). This top layer is made out of polyvinyl chloride which can only offer limited buffering against the weather.

A new coating has now been introduced to protect the color against weathering much more efficiently. It's called Solarkote and it's an acrylic cap stock which is applied in the manufacturing stage. It has the qualities we are used to in vinyl, i.e. no peeling of the layers, but it also protects the vinyl against weathering effects. The manufacturer states that it will significantly reduce fading or yellowing. So this is great news for all those people who want the burgundy or navy houses, and keep getting out there with the paintbrush every other year!

With this news, so many more people will no doubt be changing to vinyl siding, so here are a few tips that come from the experts:

Be sure to check the brochure or ask about wind resistance; it's important to know what the manufacturer offers.

Remember that even though vinyl siding doesn't trap moisture because it's hung loosely to encourage free flow of air, it is critical that proper materials such as flashing and builder's felt or house wrap are installed before the vinyl goes up.

Check the certifications of potential installers; if possible ask for an address nearby where they have installed siding.

Compare thicknesses; to ensure quality; look for thickness for durability as thinner siding may sag over time.

Look for the newer product and use vinyl siding that has Solarkote in it to preserve the color and richness.