Best new vinyl siding for cold climates
Homes located in cold-weather climates often require more rugged building materials than homes found in more temperate regions of the United States. For example, the best new vinyl siding for a home in states such as Michigan, Illinois or Wisconsin, which border one of the Great Lakes, is different from what is best for homes located in Sun Belt states such as Florida, Texas or Georgia.
Insulated vinyl siding is a logical choice for homes found in areas with harsh winter weather. It is much stronger than many other forms of vinyl cladding and is better designed to withstand high winds, driving rain and freezing snow. The insulation also provides added energy savings that could make a big financial impact over time.
Types of vinyl siding
Vinyl wall covering products are sold in a variety of thicknesses. The higher the vinyl siding thickness, or gauge, the greater the quality and durability. Though thicker wall cladding typically costs more, it outperforms less-expensive products over time. It is also better than thinner gauges for hiding imperfections in your home's framing.
Insulated vinyl siding manufacturers
There are a number of vinyl siding manufacturers that make insulated vinyl cladding products.
- CertainTeed, one of the country's leading cladding manufacturers, sells a premium insulated product that's .044-inches thick. The product is made using custom-formed PVC resins and is extruded and fused with Polystyrene (EPS) foam. It has an insulation rating, or R-Value, of 2.2 and is rated to withstand winds up to 160 miles per hour. It is sold in 12 different color choices and has a limited lifetime warranty.
- PlyGem, another industry leader, claims its Vortex Extreme cladding line is "The best siding for the worst weather." It's .046-inches thick and is rated for winds as strong as 225 mph. It has a triple locking system and proprietary nailing hem designed to hold the panels fast to your walls in the most severe storm conditions.
- Mastic Home Exterior's Structure Home Insulation System is backed with 1 1/4-inch-thick insulation and can withstand wind speeds up to 190 mph. It comes in a variety of lap profiles and can reduce outside noise levels by as much as 30 percent.
These manufacturers' insulated products sell at a higher price point than many of their other vinyl cladding product lines, but they are a logical choice for homes in regions that are routinely pummeled by severe winter storms.
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