CertainTeed is a leading manufacturer of exterior building products in North America, including vinyl, polymer, and polymer-based siding. CertainTeed offers a wide variety of siding styles and options to choose from. When selecting new siding, one of the key considerations is understanding what material or materials your siding is made from. This allows you to evaluate important factors like durability, maintenance needs, environmental sustainability, appearance, and cost. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the different materials used in CertainTeed siding and the key characteristics of each.
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Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is the most common material used in CertainTeed siding products. Vinyl siding consists of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer combined with ingredients to make it sturdier and more weather-resistant. The main components in CertainTeed vinyl siding include:
– PVC resin – The primary raw material that makes up the bulk of vinyl siding. PVC resin is derived from salt and natural gas or oil.
– Pigments – Added to the PVC resin to achieve the desired color of the siding. Common pigments used include titanium dioxide for white and various metal oxides for colors.
– Calcium carbonate – Added as a filler to make the PVC more impact and heat resistant.
– Impact modifiers – Specialized chemicals added to improve strength and durability. These help prevent denting, cracking, or stress damage.
– UV stabilizers – Added to shield against ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, which can cause vinyl to become brittle and fade over time. These stabilizers prevent or slow degradation.
Vinyl siding offers benefits like affordability, low maintenance, and durability. It comes in a wide range of color options and styles. However, lower-quality vinyl may become prone to denting, buckling, or cracking over time. Higher-end vinyl siding from CertainTeed contains impact modifiers and UV stabilizers to prolong its life.
Polymer and Polymer Composite Siding
In addition to pure vinyl siding, CertainTeed offers siding made from polymer and polymer composite materials. These include:
– Polypropylene – A type of plastic polymer that is highly impact resistant. Polypropylene siding is more flexible and dent-resistant than vinyl.
– Polymer composites – Blends of polymers, minerals, and other ingredients to produce Strong, durable siding. For example, CertainTeed’s Cedar Impressions siding combines polypropylene, inorganic fillers, and organic colorants.
– Insulated polymer composites – Multi-layer siding made from polymer composites bonded to an insulated backing. The insulating layer improves energy efficiency.
Polymer and polymer composite sidings provide enhanced durability, dent resistance, and insulation value compared to vinyl siding. However, they tend to be more expensive options.
Brick, Stone, and Stucco Finishes
For a natural masonry aesthetic, CertainTeed offers vinyl and polymer-based siding made to mimic the look of brick, stone, and stucco finishes. These products contain:
– Mineral compounds – Finely ground sand, stone dust, or clay added to reproduce the visual texture of brick, stone, or stucco.
– Colorants – Pigments and dyes added to achieve the desired hue and variations in shading.
– UV-resistant polymers – Vinyl, polypropylene, or composite polymer materials that form the structural base of the siding.
– Molding and embossing – Molded or embossed surfaces create the realistic appearance of mortared brick or stone.
These options allow CertainTeed siding to take on the eye-catching look of traditional masonry exteriors while retaining the benefits of polymer and composite materials. The siding won’t require repointing like real brick or stone.
Composition of Specific CertainTeed Siding Lines
CertainTeed produces a wide array of siding products under various brand names and series. Here is an overview of the materials used in some of their major siding product lines:
MainStreet Vinyl Siding
CertainTeed’s MainStreet line is their standard vinyl siding collection. It contains:
– Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – Approximately 75% PVC resin forms the primary base material.
– Titanium dioxide – Provides white pigmentation where needed.
– Calcium carbonate – Added as an inexpensive filler.
– Impact modifiers – Improves durability and dent resistance.
– UV stabilizers – Help protect against sun damage and fading.
Cedar Impressions Polymer Siding
The Cedar Impressions line mimics the look of natural wood grain using polymer materials. It is composed of:
– Polypropylene – Approx. 40% polypropylene forms the structural skeleton.
– Inorganic mineral fillers – Account for about 50% of the content.
– Organic mineral pigments – Provide coloration and wood grain look.
– Proprietary polymers – Extra polymers enhance impact resistance.
Northwoods Vinyl Siding
Northwoods is CertainTeed’s premium architectural-grade vinyl siding line. It includes:
– PVC – Makes up the core vinyl substrate.
– PE – Polyethylene provides added impact resistance.
– Calcium carbonate – Used as an inexpensive mineral filler.
– Titanium dioxide – Added for white siding coloration.
– Proprietary polymers – Exact composition unknown, improves weathering properties.
– Impact modifiers – Increase tensile strength and durability.
Monogram Vinyl Siding
Monogram is CertainTeed’s most affordable vinyl siding option. It consists of:
– PVC – Approximately 80% PVC resin.
– Calcium carbonate – Mineral filler.
– Titanium dioxide – Pigment for white siding.
– Basic impact modifier – Provides moderate impact resistance.
– UV stabilizers – Help resist sun damage.
Siding Manufacturing Process
CertainTeed uses a process called extrusions to manufacture vinyl and polymer siding panels. The main steps include:
1. Raw ingredients like PVC resin, pigments, fillers, and impact modifiers are measured and mixed in specific proportions.
2. The dry blended mixture is fed into a hopper.
3. The blend is melted and forced through a die on the extruder machine into the desired siding profile shape.
4. The long, continuous vinyl extrusion is cut to standard siding panel lengths, such as 12 feet.
5. Texture and wood grain patterns are often applied using decorative rollers.
6. Cut and formed siding panels are packaged and shipped to distribution centers or installation sites.
Strict quality control and testing helps ensure each batch of siding meets specifications for composition, durability, and appearance.
Conclusion
CertainTeed offers a broad selection of siding products made from quality vinyl, polymer, and composite materials. Their different product lines are formulated with specific combinations of PVC, polypropylene, mineral fillers, impact modifiers, and pigments to achieve the right blend of performance, appearance, and value. Understanding the core ingredients in each type of CertainTeed siding helps homeowners select the ideal siding to match their budget, aesthetic tastes, and performance needs. With proper installation and care, CertainTeed siding constructed from durable PVC, polymers, and composites provides long-lasting beauty and protection for homes.