Polymer vs. Vinyl Siding

If you’re shopping for new house siding, you may be stuck deciding between polymer and vinyl siding. You know you don’t want wood siding due to its costly and tiresome maintenance requirements. Metal siding oftentimes offers poor insulation (from both heat transfer and noise infiltration). And certain types of fiber cement siding can absorb moisture, making that a no-go as well. But how do you choose between polymer and vinyl?

Because polymer siding is a relatively new addition to the marketplace, many people don’t know exactly what it is and how it compares to vinyl siding, which is one of the most popular cladding options around. To help you make your decision, we’ve compiled some useful information about these two siding materials. Read on to figure out which type of siding is best suited to your needs.

The Differences Between Polymer & Vinyl Siding

Polymer siding and vinyl siding are relatively similar, in that they’re both made using resin. However, there are a few key distinctions between these two types of cladding that you should be aware of.

What Are They Made From?

Polymer siding is made from polypropylene resin, which contains only two elements (hydrogen and carbon), while vinyl siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin that also contains chlorine. As such, between these two types of resin, polypropylene resin is better for the environment.

How Are They Manufactured?

Polymer siding is manufactured using an injection molding process, which allows for a wide variety of styles and textures (including shake and shingle designs). Vinyl siding, on the other hand, is often produced in standard horizontal and vertical panels.

Which Is the Best Choice for Your Home?

This is a matter of personal preference. Many homeowners opt for polymer siding because of its impressive strength and durability—the seamless polymer siding produced by Continental Manufacturing, for instance, offers three times the impact resistance of vinyl siding. With that being said, vinyl siding tends to cost less than polymer siding, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious homeowners.

Top-Quality Polymer & Vinyl Siding for Your Home

Whether you end up going with polymer or vinyl siding, you can find exactly what you need at Continental Manufacturing. We’re a mom-and-pop company that’s been in business since 1982, and we’re proud to hold a number of industry patents, including a patent for our state-of-the-art attaching system. We manufacture polymer and vinyl siding, both of which come with form-fitted insulation that’s specially engineered to deter termites and rodents. We’re so confident in the quality of our siding that we provide a lifetime limited warranty (and judging by the number of years we’ve been in business, you can trust that we’ll be around to honor that guarantee if needed).

To learn more about the polymer and vinyl siding we produce for homes in your area, contact Continental Manufacturing today. We’ll be happy to tell you more about our siding and connect you to a local siding Certified Installation Professional, who can answer any questions you might have about the installation process.