Reduces the strain on our natural resources
The use of vinyl reduces the strain on scarce natural resources such as cedar and other wood used to make alternative exterior claddings.
No cleaners or painting required
Vinyl siding does not require painting or toxic chemicals to maintain it’s "just installed" appearance (unlike wood and fiber cement), eliminating the environmental impact associated with some paints and cleaning products. Cleaning and maintenance of vinyl siding only requires water, mild detergent and a soft cloth or soft bristled brush.1
Out-performs in environmental and economic sustainability
Vinyl siding out-performs the majority of other exterior cladding products, including brick, in almost all of the scientific performance criteria used in recent analysis conducted using Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) software. This analysis is a recognized, approved and useful life-cycle tool as cited in the latest United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leed® for Homes program report2 and vinyl siding performance qualifies it as an environmentally preferable product.3
No additional finish resources required
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Model Green Home Building Guidelines award 4 points in Section 2.1.5 for using building materials that require no additional finish resources to complete application on site. Builders who use vinyl siding are eligible for these points.4
Non-toxic
Vinyl siding is safe to cut, handle and install, unlike fiber cement which can cause fatal lung disease if the silica dust is inhaled by installers.5
Little environmental impact
Vinyl siding is friendlier to the environment when considering factors such as air pollution caused by production, fossil fuel depletion and the global warming impact.6
Minimal waste
Ply Gem recycles our own in-plant scrap (trimmings, shavings, color changes, etc.) as a matter of course. This practice ensures minimal waste.
Lasts a lifetime
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that the life expectancy of vinyl siding is a lifetime.7 Therefore it does not need to be replaced, reducing use of new materials. Additionally, vinyl siding is not readily available for post-consumer recycling, as it stays on the house.
1. VSI America Sides with Vinyl. Edition 4, May 2007, Page 28
2. USGBC LEED® for Homes Program Pilot Rating System, Page 114. BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) Study. January 2007
3. USGBC LEED® for Homes Program Pilot Rating System, Page 110 products or services that have lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.
4. NAHB Research Center, Inc. NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. Version 1. Part 1. Section 2. Resource Efficiency. 2.1.5. December 13, 2004. [PDF]
5. James Hardie North America. http://www.jameshardie.com/pdf/msds.pdf
6. USGBC LEED® for Homes Program Pilot Rating System, Page 114. BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) Study. January 2007
7. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Economics Group. NAHB/Bank of America Home Equity Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components. February 2007.
