Siding Buying Guide

In our tests, we evaluate vinyl siding products made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as alternative siding products made of fiber cement, polymer, or a combination of PVC foam and other materials. Here’s what we measure in our siding tests.

• Color change: We subject light-colored siding samples to 1,000 hours of ultraviolet light, about twice the strength of sunlight. These accelerated weathering tests mimic the exposure siding would encounter on an actual house. We then compare the color change with the original, unexposed panels.
• Impact resistance at warm and cold temperatures: To assess how well siding resists damage from falling objects and other mishaps, we release a weight from different heights onto the seam of overlapping siding panels at both 0° F and 70° F. Then we evaluate any damage.
• Wind: To gauge siding’s ability to stay attached to a house during a windstorm, we subject siding attached to wood studs to an environment that simulates high winds. The best products stay attached at simulated winds exceeding 150 mph.

Thanks to better graining and deeper profiles that cast wider shadows, some vinyl, plastic, and synthetic siding will give you the look of wood for a fraction of what you’d pay for the real thing.

Get the Most for Your Money
You might be tempted to “save money” by placing a new layer of siding over an old one, but removing old siding and starting from scratch is generally a better approach. “Removing the old layer will reveal any damaged sheathing that might need repair,” says Rich Handel, who has overseen siding testing at CR. He says that putting a new layer over an old one might make your house look strange. “Windows and doors could appear inset,” he says.

In fact, if you expect to replace windows in the next few years, a good time to do so is when you’re re-siding. You’re going to have to remove siding when you install new windows anyway—unless your plan is to use replacement windows. In that case, you’ll be placing a frame inside a frame and won’t disturb the siding.

You can save by keeping your siding choices simple. Details such as scalloped edges, cedarlike shake, and barnlike board and batten can be more expensive than traditional straight-edged panels. Mixing patterns can also cost more; abutting two different styles so that they remain watertight can require extra labor.

Have Your Siding Installed Right
Siding can refresh a house’s appearance, but it can also create an eyesore by buckling or warping if it’s improperly installed. Even worse, shoddy installation can allow moisture to seep into the home’s structure, where it could cause mold or rot, compromising the house’s integrity.

So we recommend having a professional install your siding. To increase the chances of finding a capable contractor who will do the job right—and be available to fix any problems that might arise—look for siding installers who have been working in your area for at least five years, and check their references.

Contractors certified by the Polymerics Exterior Products Association (PEPA) have been trained in the best installation practices and can be found through the PEPA website. The websites of some vinyl siding manufacturers also have search engines to help you find reputable local installers. As with any contractor, check local and state licenses, Better Business Bureau ratings, and certificates of insurance.

Be a Smart Shopper
When you interview contractors—CR recommends speaking to at least three—make sure to request all-inclusive price estimates. To make comparisons, you’ll want to know the total price for materials, labor for teardown and installation, and disposal.

Even if the installation price is firm, you can ask a siding company to offer an upgrade or other enticements, such as free gutters and leaders. And don’t assume that the contractor or retailer offers the best financing. You might find better terms from a bank or credit union.

Also, ask installers to explain the company’s workmanship warranty. Examples we’ve found online range from one year to a “lifetime,” and don’t always detail what they cover. Most warranties for the siding in our ratings protect against product defects for the first homeowner’s lifetime; for a second owner, the warranty is typically 50 years, prorated from the time of installation.

Make It Last
You can extend the useful life of your siding with simple maintenance and repairs. Wood and fiber cement siding are susceptible to leaks, especially where the siding meets windows and doors; five dollars’ worth of caulk added to the butt joints, corner joints, and areas around windows and doors could ultimately save you thousands of dollars in structural repairs. If you live in a region with cold winters, inspect the siding under the eaves for water stains, which may indicate ice damming. Adding attic insulation and sealing any gaps around pipes and ducts in the attic may help prevent future damming—and may lower your heating and cooling bills as well.

When siding is properly installed, any water that gets under the siding should drain, and the underlying sheathing and framing should dry. But water driven behind siding from pressure washing may remain, and surfaces that stay wet can rot or become moldy. To prevent that, CR recommends not spraying directly into gaps. As an alternative, you can clean siding with soapy water and a soft-bristle brush on a pole, then rinse the surface with a gentle spray.