What You Need To Know About Vinyl Siding

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Builders love it, historians loathe it, and the award-winning film Blue

Vinyl says it causes cancer. Who do you believe? Here's the scoop on vinyl.

Article by Jackie Craven

 

 

When vinyl was installed on this Victorian home, the architectural details

were covered.

 

 

 

The advertisements seem so enticing. Install vinyl siding, they say, and you

will never have to paint your house again. Unlike wood or cedar, this

durable plastic will not rot, flake, or dent. Vinyl is available in several

dozen colors, and can mimic architectural details that were once made from

wood. It's no wonder that vinyl has become the most popular siding material

in the United States and is quickly gaining momentum around the world. But,

wait! What the ads don't tell you can cost you dearly. Before you install

vinyl siding over wood clapboard or cedar shingles, consider these important

factors.

1. Health Concerns

Vinyl is made from a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic resin that is known to

cause cancer in humans. Although vinyl may be safe while it is on your home,

many scientists believe that manufacturing and disposing vinyl is hazardous

to our health and to the environment. Accidental fires in vinyl sided

buildings are more dangerous because vinyl produces toxic fumes when heated.

In addition, doctors are reporting a high incidence of neurological damage,

respiratory problems, liver and kidney failure, birth defects, and cancer

among people who work in or live near factories where vinyl is produced. To

learn more about the ways vinyl siding impacts our health and the

environment, watch the award-winning documentary film Blue Vinyl, now airing

on the HBO cable network and also available on video. For an opposing view,

read the arguments written by the Vinyl Institute.

2. Durability

Advertisements often imply that vinyl siding is permanent. It is true that

vinyl will last a very long time. (That's why it is so difficult to dispose

of safely.) In extreme weather, however, vinyl is less durable than wood and

masonry. Violent wind can get underneath the thin sheets of vinyl siding and

lift a panel from the wall. Windblown debris and strong hail can puncture

vinyl. New developments are making vinyl is stronger and less brittle, but

the thin plastic sheets will still crack or break if struck by a lawnmower

or snowblower. Damage cannot be patched; you will need to replace a panel.

 

3. Maintenance

Wood must be painted or stained, but vinyl siding needs only a yearly

washing to maintain its fresh appearance. Keep in mind, however, that window

sashes and wooden trim will still require routine painting, and ladders

leaning against the house can scuff or crack the vinyl siding. Any moisture

trapped beneath the vinyl siding will accelerate rot, promote mold and

mildew, and invite insect infestations. Left uncorrected, dampness in the

walls will cause wallpaper and paint inside the house to blister and peel.

To avoid hidden decay, you will want frequently recaulk joints between the

vinyl siding and adjacent trim. Roof leaks, faulty gutters, or other sources

of moisture should be repaired without delay. Vinyl siding may not be a wise

option for an older home with a chronically damp cellar.

4. Energy Conservation

Be wary of a vinyl salesperson who promises lower energy bills. Even with

thick Styrofoam backing, a thin vinyl panel cannot provide significant

insulation. Regardless of the type of siding you choose, you may want to

install additional insulation inside the walls.

5. Color

Vinyl is available in more colors than ever before, and new vinyl siding

does not fade as quickly as older vinyl. Also, the pigmentation is baked

through instead of applied to the surface, so vinyl won't show scratches.

Nevertheless, depending on the quality of vinyl you buy, expect some fading

after five years or so. If a panel is damaged, the replacement panel might

not match. Some contractors offer to vinyl, but for most homeowners, this is

not a practical option. If you grow weary of the color, you will need to

install new siding.

6. Historic Preservation

With a careful installation of a better-quality vinyl, the siding will truly

fool the eye. Yet no matter how closely vinyl resembles wood, any artificial

siding will diminish the historic authenticity of an older home. In many

cases, the original trim and ornamental details are covered or removed. In

some installations, the original clapboard is completely removed or

seriously damaged. Vinyl siding will always alter the overall texture and

proportions of the house, changing the depth of moldings and replacing

natural wood grain with factory-made embossed patterns.

7. Property Values

As the quality and variety of vinyl improves, acceptance is growing. For new

construction, vinyl is becoming the norm. On the other hand, many home

shoppers still perceive vinyl as a tacky shortcut or a cover-up for possible

problems. Homes built before 1940 lose their historic appeal when their

authentic siding is covered. Before you install vinyl over wood clapboard or

cedar shingles, look closely at home sales in your neighborhood and ask

Realtors how vinyl siding will affect the value of your home.

The Bottom Line?

For every argument against vinyl siding, a happy homeowner or building

contractor will sing its praises. What's your view on vinyl? Stop by our

discussion forum and tell us what you think.

http://architecture.about.com/library/weekly/aavinyl.htm

 

'Blue Vinyl' the movie

http://architecture.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www

bluevinyl.org/

 

 

 

 

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