Siding

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Siding

What's behind our siding Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 30 models in siding to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score for siding is based primarily on resistance to fading, impacts, and wind in our tests. Displayed scores are rounded; products are listed in order of precise overall score.
Thick (in.)
Thickness is as measured by our testers.
Fading
Fading reflects resistance to color changes after accelerated weathering tests using intense heat, UV light, and water spray to mimic typical weathering cycles siding would encounter on an actual home.
Cold impacts
Cold impacts is resistance to damage from blows at 0 degree Fahrenheit.
Warm impacts
Warm impacts is resistance to damage at roughly 70 degree Fahrenheit. Impacts mimic blows from fallen objects and other mishaps.
Wind
Wind is siding's ability to stay attached in lab tests simulating high winds; the best withstood forces equivalent to more than 150 mph.
Rigidity
Rigidity denotes stiffness; stiffer siding should appear flatter and more woodlike on a wall.

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Recommended siding

Recommended siding are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended siding

Siding buying guide

To find the siding that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Siding Ratings

Find out which Siding scored the best on our tests. Our tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply, which re-create the experience you will have with the product.

Latest siding ratings

If the siding on your home is nearing the end of its life, our test results for dozens of vinyl, plastic, and fiber-cement siding products can help you find a sturdy and attractive replacement that can protect your home for decades. If you're looking for information about siding, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ siding reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our siding buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and siding reviews to help you choose the best siding for your needs.

Ratings & recommended siding

Siding (30)

Siding that scored highest also tended to be thickest and priciest. But several other choices did almost as well for far less.

Siding buying guide

New siding is one of the most visible ways to give your home a makeover now and make it easier to sell later. But siding isn't just decorative. Loose or cracked panels or shingles can allow entry to moisture and insects, leading to expensive structural damage. Use this guide to find a replacement.

If the siding on your home is nearing the end of its life, our test results for dozens of vinyl, plastic, and fiber-cement products can help you to find a sturdy and attractive replacement that can protect your home for decades.

Our tests simulated the punishment that the elements can inflict. We evaluated resistance to cracking from impacts in warm and cold weather, an especially important consideration for active families with children. We simulated 150-mph winds in our lab to see how tenaciously the siding clings, an especially vital factor where severe storms are common. And we gauged fading under ultraviolet light, especially important in sunny climates and where trees don't provide much shade. Our Ratings (available to subscribers) include enough top choices from among the various materials to give you lots of options.

The thickest and most expensive siding tended to perform best in our tests, although several thinner and less expensive products did almost as well. Our top-rated vinyl sidings, for example, cost $200 or more per square (100 square feet), but we found several very good products for less than half that price. Note that some synthetic materials actually look like wood, even up close, for a small fraction of what you'd pay for the real thing. Check under Types to determine which material--vinyl, plastic, fiber cement, or wood--best suits your taste and budget.

Getting started | Types | Features

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