4 Common Myths and Misconceptions About Vinyl Siding

Despite its popularity, vinyl siding still has its share of myths and misconceptions. In today’s post, siding and roofing contractor Pawcatuck Roofing Co. debunks common misconceptions about vinyl siding.

1. Vinyl Siding Isn’t Eco-Friendly — Plastic products have been getting a bad reputation because they are perceived as harmful to the environment, though the plastic problem is mostly caused by improper disposal and recycling practices. But not all plastics are the same. Vinyl, for instance, is a type of thermoplastic, which means it can be remelted and recycled many times. Thanks to its long life span, vinyl siding is also one of the most sustainable home improvement products on the market today.

2. Vinyl Siding Is Not Energy Efficient — Properly-insulated exteriors can help improve a home’s energy efficiency by keeping thermal transfer to a minimum, which results in energy savings from lower indoor heating and cooling requirements. This is why installing insulation is a critical step in the roof replacement process. Many siding manufacturers offer insulated vinyl siding, which, when installed, complements the layer of insulation on the exterior walls.

3. Vinyl Siding Looks Cheap — Anyone who has been looking at vinyl siding installed over 20 years ago would conclude that vinyl siding looks cheap. But siding manufacturing technologies have taken leaps and bounds over the years. New vinyl siding now features more authentic textures such as wood grain and slate surfaces, with more vibrant colors that make them look less “plasticky”. And the best part about vinyl siding is that the colors are molded in, which means you don’t have to scrape and repaint it throughout its service life.

4. Vinyl Siding Is Not Durable — It is true that vinyl siding isn’t the most durable siding option when it was first introduced. But today’s vinyl siding features thicker profiles and better formulation that provides more protection against wind and impact damage. They’re also designed to lock onto each other during installation, which creates a near-monolithic outer sheath over the exterior walls.

Pawcatuck Roofing Co. is your leading provider of roofing repair and vinyl siding installation services. Give us a call at (860) 599-1024. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in New London, CT, and surrounding communities.