Vinyl Siding Options: Advanced Vinyl Siding Points To The Future, Offers Link To Past For Today's Homes

(HIT) - The siding industry has certainly come a long way since the 1950's when asbestos was the exterior siding material of choice. Now labeled as a health hazard, asbestos is no longer an option. In the 60's, a trend towards wood siding returned and homeowners soon were faced with rotting, warping and frequent, costly repainting. Aluminum became a popular option in the 1970's, although the eventual dents and rust associated with it did not. Finally in the 1980's vinyl was accepted as a preferred siding option for homeowners across North America.

Today it's no surprise that vinyl siding options still dominate the market, due to their beauty, versatility, durability, low maintenance and affordability. According to the Vinyl Environmental Resource Center, vinyl is the number one exterior home building material used today; in fact nearly one third of all homes are sided in vinyl.

Siding homes in vinyl can also be a wise investment. According to a survey by Remodeling Magazine, vinyl siding offers an average 67 percent return on investment at the time of resale.

Vinyl siding options for home owners have undergone considerable advancements in technology and aesthetics since their introduction. Today's vinyl siding options not only offer homeowners the technology of the future but can link them to the siding designs of the past. And vinyl siding has now become a material of choice for historical restorations and replications.

Wolverine Siding from CertainTeed, a leading manufacturer of vinyl building products, offers an entire collection of historically inspired siding options and accessories to help those who wish to maintain the architectural integrity of their home, or copy a style from the past, and benefit from a virtually maintenance-free exterior. In addition, Wolverine offers a lifetime, transferable warranty on most of its vinyl siding products.

"Wolverine's Restoration Collection® of vinyl siding product, whether used for remodeling or new construction, offers discerning homeowners a viable alternative to wood or aluminum." said Marianne Horvat, marketing manager, Wolverine. "The Restoration Collection replicates some of the most popular American sidings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Of course, by applying a little design creativity, it can be also used to achieve a clean, contemporary look."

Whatever style the homeowner wishes to achieve, whether it's the simple grace of New England, the detailed elegance of the Victorian era, or the warmth and charm of the Old South, the experts at Wolverine recognize that there are a number of decisions required before starting a siding project.

To help homeowners select the siding that will enhance the beauty of their home and achieve the look they desire, Wolverine offers these basic steps to select siding and options:

• Start by choosing the type of siding panel, keeping in mind the look you wish to achieve, i.e., historical, contemporary, etc. The siding's surface finish can be either smooth or subtly woodgrained. Its profile, or silhouette, can be flat or shaped. And its profile width can vary from three to eight inches. For example, a six-inch wide vinyl siding panel with a rounded bead running horizontally along the bottom was popular in the 17th century South and can easily be replicated using Wolverine's Chapel Hill Siding.
• Next, select trim elements—wide or narrow corners, door and window moldings—to give your home distinction.
• Then, consider beaded vinyl soffit as an option for porch ceilings for a traditional bead board or wainscot look. PVC lattice works well for exterior porches and stairs.
• Now think about dramatic, unexpected accents such as panels used to create a sunburst design. To enhance a Victorian style home, round, square and octagonal fishscale shingles are perfect for gable treatments.
• Finally, consider your color options. Start by determining which colors work best with your existing roof. You may choose either monochromatic or contrasting colors in warm or cool tones. Monochromatic color schemes create an effect of subtle unity, while contrasting color combinations accentuate outlines for a more dramatic effect.

To help homeowners easily achieve the exterior look of their choice, Wolverine developed its Exterior Design System™, a total systems approach to exterior finishes, which allows homeowners to combine trim elements, textures and coordinating colors with vinyl siding and accessories.

For homeowners who wish to have a clear picture of what their home will look like with the options they are considering, Wolverine even offers a design and color service. For a small fee and using homeowner's elevations, Wolverine's designers create full color computer renderings that show siding, trim and accessories before construction begins.

Wolverine is a recognized leader in the development and manufacturing of innovative, premium vinyl exterior products and accessories, with more than 350 distributors nationwide and in Canada. To learn more about Wolverine siding, point your web browser to www.siding.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center