Vinyl Versus Aluminum Siding

Vinyl siding is made from PVC, a plastic that offers considerable protection from weather and high winds. Vinyl’s flexibility also makes it less likely to dent or become damaged if debris comes into contact with it. CertainTeed’s vinyl siding even features RigidForm®, a proprietary nail hem technology designed and tested to withstand significant wind load.

Aluminum, on the other hand, is incredibly soft, meaning it has little to no impact resistance and can easily dent during hailstorms. For Michigan homeowners, vinyl siding is the only way to stay protected against the state’s unpredictable stormy weather.

Though aluminum is more fire-resistant and more resistant to extreme temperatures, vinyl is more than adequate in most geographies throughout the United States, especially Michigan, and many vinyl siding options, including CertainTeed’s Board & Batten, feature a Class 1(A) fire rating.

One of the biggest advantages of vinyl siding is its return on investment. It’s reported that vinyl siding installations yield one of the highest returns (94.7%) of any significant exterior home remodeling project. While vinyl and aluminum have similar upfront costs (around $8 to $20 per square foot), aluminum siding has higher maintenance costs.

Vinyl is a lightweight, flexible material, and easy to install, which helps keep upfront costs lower than aluminum siding projects. Vinyl panels also easily snap together, making the process go faster. L&S’s trusted siding manufacturer, CertainTeed, even provides installers with a STUDfinder™ installation system to prevent damage during installation.

Aluminum is lightweight, but it’s also delicate and can scuff easily. This makes the installation more complex, resulting in higher installation costs.

Vinyl siding is available in a wide range of colors and textures, allowing property owners to achieve the look and feel that they want and not have to settle for whatever is available. This range of options helps homeowners increase their curb appeal, even increasing home value by up to 14%.

Comparatively, aluminum siding has a metallic appearance and none of the color and style flexibility that vinyl has, limiting options for homeowners. And while aluminum siding can be painted, there is a high risk of that painting chipping or oxidizing down the road.

Aluminum siding is typically painted to improve aesthetics, and that paint will lose adhesion over time or oxidize, requiring repainting. Comparatively, vinyl siding, especially CertainTeed’s, is virtually maintenance-free and never requires painting. All that’s needed is an annual cleaning to remove any dirt build-up.

Energy efficiency is largely determined by the insulation used in the siding installation project. Most contractors don’t use insulation in aluminum siding installation projects. However, in vinyl siding installations, Insulation (R1 through R5) is used to improve energy efficiency. Additionally, the moisture/wind barrier applied during vinyl siding installations helps improve energy efficiency by preventing wind from pushing through holes and crevices.