Plastic products are often perceived of as being bad for the environment. Therefore, you may be surprised to learn that vinyl siding received a better Environmental Impact Score (EIS) than other siding types. In this blog, general contractor V. Nanfito Roofing & Siding, Inc. takes an in-depth look at how the environmental impact of vinyl siding is measured.
Vinyl Siding Environmental Impact Score
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses proprietary software called Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) to measure the life cycles of different materials used for exterior building. According to BEES analysis, vinyl siding is eco-friendly because of the following factors:
- Lightweight — More vinyl siding can be packed per shipment, which allows greater fuel efficiency.
- Ease of Installation — A typical home improvement project generates waste from trimmed materials that can’t be reused. Certain types of vinyl siding can be extruded to custom lengths, which results in less material waste during installation.
- Molded-In Colors — Vinyl siding eliminates the need to repaint or reapply wood stain, thanks to its molded-in colors. This means buying paint isn’t necessary over its lifetime.
Other Eco-Friendly Advantages
While not mentioned in the BEES report, there are other eco-friendly advantages offered by vinyl siding:
- Recyclability — You may know vinyl by its other names, including polyvinyl chloride or PVC. As a highly recyclable type of plastic, it can be reused as other consumer products. In fact, many of today’s vinyl products, such as collectible toys, phonographic records and vinyl siding, contain a significant amount of recycled content.
- Corrosion Resistance — Vinyl siding doesn’t corrode like certain types of wood and metal siding, giving it a relatively longer lifespan by comparison. Long-lasting building materials help slow down the rate at which landfills are filled. Recyclable and corrosion-resistant materials like vinyl have minimal impact on the waste materials that end up in landfills.
- Low Maintenance — Vinyl siding is best known for its low maintenance requirements, which eliminates the need for chemicals and coatings that may be harmful to the environment.
V. Nanfito Roofing & Siding, Inc. is your leading provider of vinyl siding installation and roof maintenance services. Give us a call at (203) 639-1634 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
