Vinyl Siding Yes/No

[SLOBuds]

Has anyone steered away from vinyl siding because of their environmental issues?

If you considered vinyl and decided not to use it, why?

If you considered vinyl and decided to use it in spite of the issues, why?

I'd like to hear everyone's story because no one sits on the fence regarding vinyl siding. It's either better than mother's milk, or devil in disguise.

Thanks,
Martin

 

[tallyho8]

I don't know about the environmental issues with vinyl siding so I will be closely following this thread to find out about them. I bought a building 30 years ago with vinyl siding and it was probably 15 years old when I got it. I have never cleaned it and it has never turned green. I got my last home covered with vinyl siding 10 years ago and a rental home done 5 years ago. These turn green every year and must be throughly cleaned to remove the mildew. There must have been something, perhaps toxic, in the old vinyl siding to keep it from mildewing.

 

[MossRoad]

What environmental issues?

 

[Dusty]

I don't know about the environmental issues with vinyl siding so I will be closely following this thread to find out about them. I bought a building 30 years ago with vinyl siding and it was probably 15 years old when I got it. I have never cleaned it and it has never turned green. I got my last home covered with vinyl siding 10 years ago and a rental home done 5 years ago. These turn green every year and must be throughly cleaned to remove the mildew. There must have been something, perhaps toxic, in the old vinyl siding to keep it from mildewing.

The mold or mildew is a result of the siding getting wet and not drying completely. It has nothing to do with the vinyl siding, but everything to do with where the siding is installed in relationship to the weather. Even if it were wood or metal siding, you will get that mold on some sides of the house where the material doesn't dry fast enough. I have some mold on my North and West sided so the house, but not on the East and West sides. On the North side, it is behind some shrubbery and on the West side, down low to the ground behind the propane tank. If there were anything toxic in vinyl siding, it would be all over the news and they wouldn't be installing it any longer.
Dusty

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Has anyone steered away from vinyl siding because of their environmental issues?

If you considered vinyl and decided not to use it, why?

If you considered vinyl and decided to use it in spite of the issues, why?

I'd like to hear everyone's story because no one sits on the fence regarding vinyl siding. It's either better than mother's milk, or devil in disguise.

Thanks,
Martin

You have to cover your house with something. Whatever you choose will have some effect on the environment, be it brick, wood, aluminum, or even a blue plastic "tarp".

Have I mentioned that I HATE painting yet?

We bought a new home a little over one year ago. It's 2/3rds brick exterior, with vinyl clad windows, Vinyl siding and a standing seam copper roof. I plan on NO painting and very little exterior maint. My personal "environment" will be much happier and healthier now, due to me not having to prep and paint every few years. In my eyes, vinyl is the real deal. And I'm a 4th generation carpenter.

NO WOOD ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE!

 

[SLOBuds]

Here is background information about the published issues.

I'm sorry to post a link which is so clearly 'green-biased,' but many other more neutral sites - except the vinyl manufacturers - also refer to the safety issues discussed here. Though not in such extreme.

Vinyl Exam: Eliminating PVC in Your Home — Washington Toxics Coaltion

The issues have to do with off-gassing during manufacture of the vinyl material, and off-gassing through the life of the product itself, and toxicity of gasses from the material when it burns.

I have found nothing from the manufactures which out-and-out deny these statements. Or even to diminsh them. But on the other hand, if the material were so toxic, the government would have it banned.

So that's why I am asking. Vinyl is significantly less expensive and more durable than many other materials. I just want to know opinions from other folks.

Thanks.

 

[kennyd]

No issues with me for vinyl siding!


You are from California, if it was was even remotely bad for you they would have either taxed it or banned it

 

[MikePA]

The issues have to do with off-gassing during manufacture of the vinyl material, and off-gassing through the life of the product itself, and toxicity of gasses from the material when it burns.

What's this got to do with whether you install it on the outside of your house?

 

[chrisjbell]

I had it on one of my houses. It was just fine, and I did like the deal about not having to paint it. I don't think it is as attractive as wood siding, but it is easier to maintain, and more durable. It does dent, though (don't ask me how I know this... ;-)).

Wood siding has its downsides. I have a good paint job on mine, but it is getting older and will need to be repainted. That won't be fun (or, if I shop it out since I really don't like to paint, will be expensive). I also have issues with woodpeckers, although I've heard that they will attack vinyl siding as well, but that is another issue.

 

[goaliedad]

"The Washington Toxics Coalition assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage resulting from the use or effect of any product or information specified in this publication. Mention of particular products by name does not constitute an official endorsement."

The above paragraph was found near the end of the web page linked in Slobud's post. I find it interesting that an group can do a complete web-site claiming that
PVC is the worst thing to ever see the light of day, then in one short paragraph, totally absolve themselves from any responsibility.
Would I want to inhale the fumes from a PVC fire, no. But, I have a larg e amount of white, double 4 PVC on my house- other than the bee's thinking it is one king size hive, I love it!

Like someone else said- It can't be all bad- it is still legal in California! I wonder, for how long?