Vinyl siding is the form of exterior cladding that home inspectors are likely to encounter most frequently. Homeowners, remodeling contractors and builders often choose vinyl siding as an alternative to wood and aluminum because it is attractive, durable, easy to maintain and cost-effective. Vinyl siding is often textured to resemble wood or stone in a variety of colors. Although it is a very popular and well-regarded product, homeowners may want to be aware of some of the downsides of using vinyl siding if they are thinking about remodeling or building a new home. Wolf Home Inspectors will likely examine many homes with vinyl siding and can benefit from knowing more about this most common type of exterior cladding, including what to look for during an inspection. History and Manufacturing Vinyl siding came into use as an exterior cladding in the late 1950s and has grown steadily in popularity since its introduction, covering billions of square feet of exterior walls. Vinyl siding is made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride). In the beginning, vinyl siding was manufactured only by the process of mono-extrusion, whereby the elements of the PVC compound formed a single-layer product. Initial methods of manufacturing lead to difficulty producing a consistently high-quality product, but they have since been corrected. Vinyl siding is now typically manufactured using a co-extrusion process, which creates a product with two layers. The outer layer contains pigment which adds color to the siding and resists breakdown from UV light. The under-layer is its substrate. Vinyl siding produced today is of a reliably higher quality than that produced years ago, which has led to it becoming the most common choice for exterior cladding. Pros and Cons Vinyl siding can provide advantages over other exterior cladding materials, but there are also some concerns to be aware of. Here are some pros and cons related to its specific attributes and characteristics. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Evidence has been presented that the production of vinyl may be hazardous to those in close proximity to production facilities. Recycling of vinyl siding is currently limited to unused scraps and pieces that have never been installed. Tips for Inspecting Vinyl Siding Some of these details may be observed while inspecting the exterior of a house, depending on whether the vinyl siding has already been installed or is in the process of being installed:
While vinyl siding has become extremely popular due to the advantages it provides, in some instances, such as when historic preservation is of primary concern, it may not be the best choice. Wolf Home Inspectors who know more about vinyl siding will be well-prepared to answer clients’ questions. In general, proper installation is the main concern with this type of exterior cladding. When correctly installed and maintained, vinyl siding is attractive and durable, and can last for many years.
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