Get Our Email Newsletter

IN DEPTH: Siding

Low maintenance is the key term, but it can overemphasized. “Customers don’t want to have to perform maintenance, but everything requires some amount of maintenance,” says Woodtone’s Pidlisecky.

Builders and installers also are looking for performance, using a different definition. “From their perspective, they want it to perform in terms of workability and strength,” says LP’s Lindholm.

Performance also extends to color fastness, she notes. “There are definitely more dark and classic colors than whites and creams. And as customers look at options, they want reassurances that the color will last.”

LBM Resources

White Paper: 7 Ways LBM Distributors Can Improve eCommerce Sales

7 Ways LBM Distributors Can Improve eCommerce Sales. Important tips for getting the most out of your eCommerce platform.

Technology has lessened performance issues, says Novik’s Bruno. “Color fastness is a waning concern,” he says. “The technology has gotten better, and there are fewer worries about problems.” Ply Gem’s Blais agrees. “There continue to be improvement and innovations around color performance, with stabilizers and organic pigments.”

Royal, for instance, has introduced solar-reflective pigments that are engineered specifically to reduce heat gain. “We’re focusing more attention on the material-science side of the business,” says Booz. “These materials now can go where they couldn’t go five or 10 years ago. It does require some education to explain the new color technology and its benefits, and that takes additional time. But it adds value to the product and creates benefits the customer may not be aware of.”

cedarpeaks-super-polymer-exterior-cladding-from-proviaThe line of CedarPeaks super-polymer exterior cladding from ProVia offers a woodgrain impression available in .046- and .048″ vinyl thicknesses. It comes in three profile options, the 6.5″ beaded style shown in the cable, a 4.5″ double lap and a 4.5″ double Dutch lap and is available in any of 24 colors.

Providing these reassurances has put more emphasis on warranties. “In the last five years, we’ve seen a significant increase in people looking for higher levels of performance, and that’s been reflected in an emphasis on extended warranties and better performance-coating protection,” says Woodtone’s Pidlisecky. “Homeowners want assurances of performance for 30 years or more, and they want to know what is warranted.”

- Advertisement -

Their value rises if they are backed by testing data. “To some extent, warranties in the past were used as a marketing gimmick to promote features,” says LP’s Lindholm. “We base ours on sound data that supports our promises. It ensures that both the homeowner and the builder are protected.” ProVia’s Mickle agrees. “Submitting the products to third-party testing is an important part of a warranty’s credibility.”

Different customers look to different aspects of the warranty. “Customers absolutely look at warranties to see how they’re protected,” says Royal’s Booz. “I don’t know if they look at differences in longevity as a key point, because they most likely won’t live in the home until the warranty reaches its end. But they do want to know that the color will hold up.”

But others question how significant of a role the warranty plays. “Most extended warranties are comparable,” says Novik’s Bruno. “Few customers go into the details of the warranty. They want one to be there, but they don’t know the specifics of what’s covered. They depend on the manufacturer’s name and the material’s reliability. It’s not a huge differentiator as it can be with roofing.”

Get our free newsletter

Join thousands of other lumber and building material industry leaders and keep up with the companies, people, products and issues shaping the industry.

What's New

Digital Partners

Become a digital partner ...

Sales Comp Study

Download this 55-page, in-depth study by LBM Journal of industry trends in sales force compensation and benefits. See how your organization stacks up.

Webinars

- Advertisement -

White Papers

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Partner Content

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Registration is now open for the LBM Strategies 2024 Conference