Is Vinyl Siding Environmentally Friendly?

Eco friendly siding is on everybody’s mind these days mostly because the environmental impact of vinyl siding is a subject of debate among experts. So, it’s no wonder we get questions like, “Is vinyl siding an environmentally friendly material?” Not only that, but you do not want to end up with toxic vinyl – which is why homeowners are wanting to cautiously understand the materials used to make up the home in which they live. If you live in a home that requires a new vinyl siding installation, you may be wondering how to know if which vinyl siding is environmentally friendly siding. Fair enough! So, is there such a thing as eco friendly house siding? The short answer is YES. However, it is important to note that vinyl siding (in general) is not considered to be the most environmentally friendly material for siding. While it does have some benefits, such as being durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective, it also has several negative environmental impacts.

Toxic Vinyl

One of the main concerns with vinyl siding is its production process, which involves the use of fossil fuels and toxic chemicals, such as chlorine. These chemicals can be harmful to the environment and human health if not handled and disposed of properly. Additionally, vinyl siding is not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste. Overall, while vinyl siding has its advantages, it is not the most environmentally friendly option available, and homeowners should consider the environmental impact of their siding choice when making their decision.

Vinyl Siding That Is Safe and Toxin Free

While there is no such thing as completely eco friendly vinyl siding, there are green siding options (or ecofriendly siding options) that are considered more environmentally friendly than traditional vinyl siding. For example, some manufacturers offer vinyl siding that is made with recycled materials or that has a lower environmental impact during production. Another option is to choose insulated vinyl siding, which can help improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. It’s also worth noting that the environmental impact of vinyl siding can vary depending on the specific manufacturer and their production practices. If you are considering vinyl siding for your home, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable manufacturer that prioritizes environmental sustainability. Before we dig into more, let’s learn about what environmentally friendliness is in the first place.

Factors Involved with the Environmental Friendliness of Siding

Prior to the last decade, the carbon footprint of vinyl siding has not been too great. To better explain: Carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual or organization. The Carbon footprint is measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). It is used as an indicator of the environmental impact of an individual or organization’s activities. Reducing one’s carbon footprint is an important step in addressing climate change. Taking steps to reduce one’s carbon footprint can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support conservation efforts around the world. All the above said: Sustainability is important and what it actually equals to is the efficiency vinyl provides. Reducing the carbon footprint is key when thinking about environmental friendliness of any product. Overall, the environmental friendliness of vinyl siding depends on a combination of factors related to production, energy efficiency, durability, recycling, toxicity, and disposal. Here’s the breakdown:

Production process: The manufacturing process of vinyl siding can produce toxic emissions, such as dioxins, which can have negative impacts on the environment. Environmental friendliness can be improved if the production process is designed to minimize emissions and waste.
Energy efficiency: Vinyl siding can improve the energy efficiency of a building by reducing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. This can lead to lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Durability: Vinyl siding can have a long lifespan and require minimal maintenance, reducing the need for replacement and minimizing waste.
Recycling: Vinyl siding can be recycled, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. The environmental friendliness of vinyl siding can be improved if it is made with recycled content and if the manufacturer has a take-back program for end-of-life products.
Toxicity: Vinyl siding can contain chemicals that can be harmful to human health and the environment, such as phthalates and lead. The environmental friendliness of vinyl siding can be improved if it is made without these chemicals or if their use is minimized.
Disposal: At the end of its life, vinyl siding may need to be disposed of. Proper disposal, such as recycling or incineration, can reduce the impact on the environment.

What’s even better: Did you know that the carbon emissions have decreased around 15% in regard to vinyl just in the past 10-years alone? A 15% decrease in carbon emissions is a GREAT achievement!

Principles for Obtaining the Category Green

Obtaining the category “Green” usually refers to achieving a high level of environmental sustainability and responsibility. Here are some principles that can help individuals, organizations, and communities obtain the category “Green”:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Use Renewable Energy
Conserve Water
Use Sustainable Transportation
Support Local and Sustainable Products
Conserve Natural Habitats
Practice Sustainable Agriculture
Promote Environmental Education
Reduce Chemical Use
Collaborate and Advocate

By implementing these principles, individuals, organizations, and communities can make significant strides towards achieving a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Eco-Friendly Siding: The Best Choice for the Environment

Fortunately, eco-friendly vinyl siding has been developed to address environmentally friendly concerns so we can make vinyl siding the best choice for the environment. All-in-all, eco friendly vinyl siding consists of the following: Recycled Materials First and foremost, eco friendly vinyl siding is made using recycled materials. This means that instead of creating new materials for the siding, manufacturers are repurposing existing ones, reducing the need for new resources and the associated environmental impact. Biodegradable Materials Some eco friendly vinyl siding products are made using biodegradable materials, which means that they will break down naturally over time, rather than polluting the environment. Energy Efficiency Another benefit of eco-friendly vinyl siding is that it is energy-efficient. This is because some types of vinyl siding are designed to insulate homes, keeping them warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This can help reduce energy consumption and lower the environmental impact of a home, particularly if the homeowner lives in an area with extreme temperatures. Low Maintenance Eco-friendly vinyl siding is also low-maintenance. This means that it requires less cleaning and upkeep than other types of siding, reducing the use of water, cleaning products, and other resources. This can also help reduce the environmental impact of a home over time. Long Life Eco-friendly vinyl siding is designed to last for many years, reducing the need for frequent replacements. This means that fewer resources are needed to manufacture and install new siding, reducing the environmental impact of a home over its lifetime.

Top Eco Friendly Siding Contenders

The top 4 questions to ask yourself when looking for eco friendly vinyl siding are:

Is the material biodegradable (can you recycle it or can it be put into landfills)?
Does the material come from nature or is it man-made?
Is the material/product certified green?
Is it locally sourced?

So with the above questions in mind, the following materials are great to consider when looking for eco friendly siding:

Cedar
Reclaimed Wood
Siding Made of Bark
Burnt Wood Siding
Engineered Wood
Siding Made of Steel
Aluminum Siding
Stucco
Exterior INsulation Finish Systems (Common in Commercial Structures)
Adobe & Other Earth-Like Materials
Fiber Cement
Brick
Stone
And, last but not least, (drum roll, please): Manufactured Vinyl Siding IS INDEED ecofriendly.

Stick with Manufactured Vinyl Siding If you are looking for true eco friendly vinyl siding, manufactured vinyl siding is the way to go. Here’s why: Once vinyl siding has been produced, it stands out as an exceptionally ecofriendly product. Compared to other products, vinyl siding generates hardly any manufacturing waste. Its lightweight structure facilitates energy-efficient transportation and simple installation, setting it apart from Hardie board, brick, or stone. Although it will require caulk and/or paint over time, this is a common maintenance requirement for most types of siding.

More About MY PITTSBURGH ROOFING

Choosing a professional roofer who can install environmentally friendly vinyl siding can be a daunting task, but there are some steps you can take to make the process easier. Here are some tips to help you choose the right roofing/siding expert for your project:

Ensure your siding expert has the right credentials for installing siding of any kind. Not only that, make sure they are well-honed in environmentally sound options.
Make sure you ask about the process, including asking them about the environmentally friendly questions and information we’ve provided you within this blog.
Lastly: Choose a local roofer who is well-equipped to handle the installation of environmentally friendly materials. For example, local roofing companies are typically the ones who understand environmental regulations in your area. Locals are also the ones with a good reputation of providing high-quality work.

To gain a better understanding of MY PITTSBURGH ROOFING and what is involved with our vinyl siding installation process, visit here. Better yet, check out the average price on vinyl siding installations.

IS VINYL SIDING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MATERIAL?