Study Confirms Vinyl Siding the Sustainable Choice

By Brian Kirn on May 9th, 2019

Life Cycle Analysis Tool Compares Popular Cladding Choices Across 11 Categories

The experts have spoken! A recent Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) study found that vinyl and insulated vinyl siding have a better Environmental Impact Score (EIS) than other claddings, including wood cedar board, fiber cement, and brick and mortar. Eleven impact categories, including ozone depletion, smog, and global warming, were used to compare the exteriors in the study.

As noted by the Vinyl Siding Institute, one highlight of the report is that vinyl and insulated vinyl siding both have “significantly lower impacts than fiber cement in every environmental impact category.”

Self-Reporting for Continuous Improvement

CertainTeed uses a reporting tool, called a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), to show our customers, through quantifiable data, how sustainable a product is. It helps them with their purchase and sets a baseline for continuous improvement, showing product environmental impact from cradle to grave.

We’re proud to be the first in the industry to run LCAs in several exterior product categories. This includes our vinyl and polymer siding, Restoration Millwork® trim, fence, railing, and decking. In 2011, our siding LCA was the first to be submitted to BEES for third-party verification and publication. To ensure proper recycling and disposal of end-of-life siding, we also partner with more than 200 vinyl recycling centers nationwide.

Read more about the most recent BEES study here.

Plus, new siding colors were introduced for 2019, and tools to speed up the design and bid process.