Plastic products get a bad reputation these days because of waste and its negative effects on the environment. It may therefore come as a surprise that vinyl siding scored a higher Environmental Impact Score (EIS) over other, non-plastic, siding types. In this blog, siding contractors Ken Morton & Sons shares a look at how the environmental impact of vinyl siding is measured.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) to measure the life cycles of various exterior building materials. According to BEES analysis, vinyl siding excels in the following areas:
It Weighs Less — Lightweight materials allow more materials to be packed per shipment, which increases fuel efficiency.
It’s Easy to Install — Trimmed materials create a lot of waste during roof repairs or siding replacement, many of which can’t be reused. Vinyl siding, on the other hand, can be extruded and cut to exact lengths at the factory. In addition to a cleaner look, it generates minimal waste.
It Doesn’t Require Repainting — Vinyl siding comes in molded-in colors, which eliminates the need to scrape and repaint. Vinyl is inherently low maintenance, which means buying paint and other products that will generate more waste will be unnecessary.
BEES has proven to be effective in that manufacturers such as CertainTeed® for performing Life Cycle Assessments on their products. The BEES report doesn’t mention it, but there are more eco-friendly advantages offered by vinyl siding:
It’s Recyclable — Vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC, is a highly recyclable type of plastic. This means it can be recycled multiple times without degrading. In addition to siding, vinyl is used to manufacture products such as toys and phonographic records.
It’s Corrosion Resistant — Vinyl siding does not corrode and lasts longer than most exterior materials. Products with long life spans help slow down the rate landfills are filled.
It’s Low Maintenance — Vinyl siding may be best known for its low maintenance requirements. It doesn’t require as much cleaning products that may harm the immediate environment.
Ken Morton & Sons is the contractor to turn to when searching online for “roofers near me”. Give us a call at (856) 582-8800 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Sewell, NJ, and surrounding areas.