Vinyl may account for more than half of all siding sold. Higher standards and some industry self-policing have helped bring this product in line with its claims, including panel thickness--a much-touted feature manufacturers use to categorize "premium" models.

We found some panels thinner than advertised when we tested vinyl siding in 1997. Since then, the Vinyl Siding Institute, a trade group, has adopted industry standards into its own voluntary certification program. To be certified, siding must meet the manufacturers’ thickness claims and some minimum industry standards for fading and wind resistance, among others. All 27 VSI-certified models we tested, met their thickness claims; they also scored at least a good in wind resistance.

Buying thicker 0.044- or 0.046-inch siding doesn’t guarantee better performance than buying thinner 0.040- or 0.042-inch models, however. More critical attributes make some vinyl siding look better longer. Along with retaining more of their original color, the best we tested are shaped to lay flatter on a wall and cling more tenaciously during wind storms. Here are the details:

Fade-resistant colors. Choices now include premium darker colors such as barn red and mahogany along with the usual whites, light yellows, blues, and grays. Manufacturers typically put an additional ultraviolet (UV) protective coating on these premium darker shades.

A less-plastic look. Deeper-profile siding (shown below), which protrudes 3/4 inch on the better-selling clapboard style we tested, is less likely than narrower profiles to appear wavy when installed. While deep profiles are offered only on premium products, some of those upscale models are moderately priced.

Greater grip. All the models we tested are certified to have met industry tests simulating 90-mph winds.

The best models have a double-hem mounting area (shown below), which provides more attachment strength than a single hem.

closeup MORE DEPTH Deeper profile siding (above, left) looks more like wood and appears straighter than shallow-profile siding. MORE HOLDING POWER A double-hem mounting area (above, left) tends to add wind resistance over single-hem siding. GOOD FORM Added bends gave the few dutchlap styles we tested (above, right) more rigidity than clapboard styles of the same model.

See Siding options to decide whether you prefer vinyl to other siding. Here’s what to think about:

Balance style with rigidity. Options include a single 8-inch "lap" board per strip, along with double and triple laps. All the siding we tested is sold in the popular double-clapboard or double-dutchlap styles. We found the few dutchlap samples we tested more rigid than clapboard versions of that model.

Consider your climate. If fading is a problem, look for siding that showed the least color change in our tests. Also look for high wind resistance, if needed.

Minimize seams. Panels 16 feet or longer reduce the vertical overlap seams typical with 12-foot panels--important for long walls with no windows or doors.