Factors That Make Vinyl Siding Durable            
Vinyl siding has become the most popular siding option in North America and for good reason. It is low maintenance, energy efficient, retains its color and is resistant to insect and chemical damage. Not only does vinyl siding look good and last a long time, it also protects your home from the elements.  Vinyl siding is ideal for all North American climates, withstanding the summer heat in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and sub-zero winter cold. It is engineered for durability, weather protection and aesthetic design. Here are 5 factors that make vinyl siding durable:

1.  Retains its Appearance Vinyl siding is available in dozens of colors and can mimic architectural details that were once made from wood.  he color is baked into the vinyl, so it will never chip or flake off. 

2. Resilient and Resistant Used for more than a half century, vinyl is one of the most analyzed and tested building materials, so you can be sure your vinyl siding will resist major wear in a variety of climates for as long as you own your home.  Vinyl is also the most widely used plastic product for home building and construction because it’s strong and resistant to moisture and abrasion. Vinyl will not rot or corrode like many other materials and will bounce back after impact from falling hail or a ball thrown against the exterior cladding. Vermin tend not to find vinyl siding very tasty, either.

3. Weather and Wind Resistant Vinyl siding is able to withstand high winds (certified up to 110 mph or higher) and is subjected to third party testing and certification.  Siding products are entered in outdoor weathering studies in Florida, Arizona and Ohio and good quality vinyl is certified to the ASTM D3679-11 Standard Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Siding.  This means that it will not crack, flake, peel or chip when exposed to changes in weather and temperature.

4. Rainscreening Performance Vinyl siding is not only water resistant it provides rainscreening performance for your home.  Since vented vinyl siding reduces the accumulation of water that can reach the underlying water-resistive barrier, it is recognized for its rainscreening performance.  This gives vinyl siding a significant advantage over exterior claddings that do not vent or drain moisture or bulk water as effectively or efficiently as vinyl siding.

5. Low Maintenance Vinyl siding does not require painting or any other sealant to maintain color hold.  It is also easy to clean; usually, all you need is a soft cloth and garden hose to keep your vinyl siding looking beautiful.

Vinyl siding has a long service life. Low maintenance needs, no-fade colors and high wind-resistance ensure that vinyl siding is built to last.  Durable high quality vinyl siding also has a lifetime warranty.

So What Should You Look for When You Buy Vinyl Siding? First, look for a lifetime warranty with a Delta E of 4 or less.  This indicates a good quality durable product.  Second look for siding certified to meet or exceed the requirements of the ASTM D3679 standard.

There many processes and materials that go into making durable vinyl siding: careful selection of pigments for weatherability and heat build, impact modifiers for strength, high performance heat and UV stabilizers, the heat used in the process, and tightly controlled blending and extrusion process conditions.  These processes, along with third party testing and certification ensure that good quality certified vinyl will last and look great for years to come.  Mitten siding offers all of these features and meets or exceeds the industry standards.

For more information, find a distributor near you or contact a Mitten location.