What Is In Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding can be the ultimate dream come true for many homeowners, providing an elegant exterior without constant upkeep and protection against weather elements for decades. But have you ever considered what is in vinyl siding? Unlike wood, which requires constant repainting to remain looking its best over time, vinyl boasts a special combination of materials that keeps it looking sharp year after year.

A2Z Roofing Contractor of Sherwood Park helps you understand the science of vinyl siding. We will explain its key ingredients which provide strength and longevity.

The Main Material: Polyvinyl Chloride

Vinyl siding’s strength relies heavily on Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC, also referred to by its acronym name of plastic vinyl chloride monomers containing carbon-hydrogen and chlorine atoms (C2H3Cl), formed into plastic resin. When combined it creates white powder which has no smell and lightweight characteristics – perfect for siding construction projects!

PVC resin plays an essential part in vinyl siding production, accounting for approximately 80% of its weight and providing its core structure that gives vinyl siding its rigidity and overall form. Think of PVC resin as the backbone that supports other elements that improve performance – like adding additional components that increase performance!

Beyond PVC: Additives for Performance

While vinyl siding’s core material – PVC – plays an essential part in its composition, the remaining 20% comprises additional additives which work to boost its performance further. Each additive plays its part by improving certain aspects of performance:

Colour Chameleons: Pigments and Dyes 

Can you picture the vinyl siding being exclusively white? Luckily, pigments and dyes offer plenty of colourful options that match up perfectly with any aesthetic imaginable! From classic white and earth tones to deep rich hues – pigments and dyes allow homeowners to personalize their exterior to match any architectural style imaginable!

Opacity Guaranteed: Blocking Transparency 

Without opacifiers, vinyl siding could take on an opaque appearance that allows any underlying structures to show through and mar the aesthetic appeal of your home’s exterior. Opacifiers keep this from occurring by remaining opaque themselves preventing this transparency. Creating an appealing finished appearance for the outside of your home.

Strength in Numbers: Fillers 

Vinyl siding fillers can be seen as invisible bodybuilders that add bulk and rigidity to vinyl panels so they can withstand various external forces such as strong winds, hail or minor impacts without deforming too easily.

Bending with the Seasons: Modifiers 

To keep pace with seasonal temperature variations, vinyl siding requires some degree of flexibility in its material to expand and contract without cracking or warping – this enables it to adapt seamlessly to seasonal changes without the risk of warping. Modifiers ensure this by remaining just flexible enough. This enables siding to adapt without losing its integrity over time.

UV Stabilizers Protect From the Sun’s Fury 

UV stabilizers offer vital protection from ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise bleach out many materials, protecting vinyl siding against fading or becoming brittle over time and maintaining vibrant colours while providing long-term exterior durability.

A Layered Approach: Co-extrusion

Modern vinyl siding manufacturers often utilize co-extrusion, an approach known as layering cake with different batters. PVC formulations are then combined during manufacturing; typically with one layer (known as cardstock) having higher concentrations of UV stabilizers or performance enhancers than another forming an outer shell that protects core structures against harsh elements while offering maximum long-term protection for their cores.

Environmental Considerations

While PVC production does raise environmental issues, vinyl siding manufacturers have made strides toward sustainability by recycling content in their products and adopting more eco-friendly production processes.

Vinyl Siding as an Everlasting Choice For Your Home

Once you understand how vinyl siding is put together, it becomes evident why so many homeowners turn to it for the protection of their homes. PVC’s strength combined with performance-boosting additives makes vinyl an economical and long-term choice that protects homes.When looking to install vinyl siding at your Sherwood Park property, contact A2Z Roofing Contractors for advice and solutions. With an assortment of vinyl options and our expertise in installing soffits to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance for any exterior space on the property, A2Z’s experts provide complete packages tailored specifically for each homeowner and individual’s requirements!