CertainTeed Siding Options, Costs, Pros & Cons – The Ultimate Guide

Average Cost To Install New Siding Typical range $5,240 - $8,130
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CertainTeed offers siding products in traditional vinyl siding; polymer shakes and shingles and manufactured stone veneer. All three products are reviewed in this guide along with cost information, styles and the technology CertainTeed uses to create some of the top-selling siding in North America.

Why CertainTeed

CertainTeed Corporation, a subsidiary of Global 500 company Saint-Gobain, is one of the top three manufacturers of residential siding products in the US. Founded in 1904 as the General Roofing Manufacturing Company and headquartered in Malvern PA, they are North America’s top seller of exterior building products.

CertainTeed is known for providing high quality, reliable, and innovative siding products. In this guide, we provide you with all the details on each type of CertainTeed siding.

CertainTeed Vinyl Siding

Quality vinyl siding has shown to be a good investment in your home, adding curb appeal and delivering about a 70% to 75% return on your investment. Vinyl is CertainTeed’s largest offering in the siding market featuring a wide range of styles, profiles, and colors within their 10 collections. Below we review each collection including all the style options and siding profiles.

MainStreet

CertainTeed Mainstreet horizontal vinyl siding

The MainStreet collection comes in 7 styles including Clapboard with wood grain texture in 4”, 5” and 8” options, a 3” Clapboard with a brushed finish, a 6.5” Beaded with a brushed finish, and Dutch Lap 4” and 5” siding with wood grain texturing.

MainStreet vinyl siding is available in 25 colors from light to moderately dark grays and browns. The MainStreet panels are .042” thick, which is standard for midgrade siding, and it has a 9/16” panel projection, which is the distance the profile stands out from the wall.

MainStreet is a good choice for homeowners looking for an affordable siding with all of the benefits of a premium siding.

Monogram

CertainTeed Monogram vinyl siding

This is a step up in quality from MainStreet. One of the best features of the Monogram collection is the extended length of the boards. Boards are available in 16’, 20’, and 25’ lengths which will significantly reduce the number of seams per side of your home by about 50%.

Monogram features the rich look and deep texturing of natural cedar. CertainTeed offers it in 4” and 5” Clapboard and 5” Dutch Lap profiles. This premium CertainTeed siding is available in 32 solid colors and 7 blends. The blends nicely mimic the appearance of semi-transparent stains.

A pleasing range of tones include solid colors called Brownstone, Oxford Blue, Autumn Yellow, and Colonial White and blends named Weathered Blend, Cedar Blend, and Rustic Blend.

All boards feature a ¾” panel projection which provides a heavy shadow line. The panel thickness of .046” speaks to the stability and durability of CertainTeed Monogram vinyl siding.

Take a deeper dive with this video demonstrating installation of Monogram siding and highlighting some of the unique features of this collection.

Restoration Classic

CertainTeed Restoration Classic horizontal vinyl siding

If you have an historically significant home – or want your house to look like one – consider Restoration Classic siding from CertainTeed. Just keep in mind that homes in historic districts typically must be sided with genuine wood. Check with your HOA or the historic district bylaws for confirmation.

The collection includes 5 historically accurate architectural siding styles and is excellent for either remodeling an older home or creating a traditional look on a new home. Choose from Double Clapboard in 4” or 5” and Double 4.5” Dutch Lap all in a cedar finish, or Triple Clapboard 3” and Double Clapboard 4.5” in a smooth painted-look finish.

Restoration Classic panels are .044” thick with 5/8” panel projections. The double-thick .088” fold-over wind resistant hem adds a beefier look along with increased strength and stability. Consider the 30 low-gloss colors that cover the spectrum but are heavy on traditional off-whites, browns, reds, and grays.

Encore

It might not be accurate to say CertainTeed makes a builder’s grade vinyl siding, but this is the closest thing to it. Encore is CertainTeed’s most economical vinyl siding collection while still providing decent quality and an attractive appearance. It features a wind-resistant double hem, a .040” thickness, and a ½” panel projection.

Encore is available in 4” or 5” Clapboard or a 4.5” Dutch Lap with either a select cedar or smooth finish in 30 low-gloss color choices including Granite Gray, Espresso, Flagstone, and Natural Clay.

Carolina Beaded

The Carolina Beaded collection reproduces the look of authentic hand-sanded, beaded boards to create the look of Old-World craftsmanship and charm. The 6.5” boards are designed with a distinct “V” groove, a rounded bead edge, and they feature a brushed finish which mimics the look of painted wood planks.

CertainTeed Carolina Beaded vinyl siding is produced in 15 colors skewed a bit toward lighter shades. The names give this away – Seagrass, Savannah Wicker, Light Wicker, and Colonial White are among them. Pieces are .044” thick and feature a ¾” panel projection.

Wolverine American Legend

Wolverine siding was acquired a couple decades ago by CertainTeed because of its distinctive appearance.
Wolverine American Legend replicates the look of real wood with remarkable accuracy. It is available in Double 4” and 5” Clapboard and 4.5” Dutch Lap. This siding has a deep wood grain texture and is produced in 21 colors.

Wolverine American Legend panels are .042” thick, which is on the thinner side for CertainTeed siding, so durability is available. The siding produces an enhanced shadow line with a 9/16” panel projection.

Board & Batten

Board & Batten features the traditional look of vertically installed, wide and narrow alternating cedar boards. This profile works well as a whole-house application, or when used as an accent with other siding types such as faux stone veneer.

Board & Batten uses CertainTeed TrueTexture™ technology, which means the siding extrusion molds were produced using real cedar boards.

CertainTeed Board & Batten siding profiles include Single 7” with a 5.5” wide-face board and ¾” battens, and is .052” thick, Single 8” with a 6.5” wide face board and ¾” wide battens, and is .048” thick, and Single 12” with a 10” wide face board and 1” wide battens and is .052” thick.

Single 7” and Single 8” are available in 10’ lengths and Single 12” comes in 12’6” lengths.
Board & Batten comes in 22 tones and features a ½” batten height.

Chamfer Board

The Chamfer Board profile gives you the look of beveled-edge wood siding and can be used in vertical applications, though this is less common. It is most often used for porch ceilings and soffits.

Chamfer Board Double 5” panels are either solid or fully vented for use on soffits and feature a brushed finish.

Chamfer Board is .044” thick, features a 9/16” panel projection, and is available in 8 low gloss colors including Heritage Cream, Natural Clay, and Light Maple.

CedarBoards™ Insulated

CedarBoards Insulated offers 3 siding profiles with the strength and thermal benefit of added rigid foam insulation. Profiles include Double 6” Clapboard, Single 7” Clapboard, and 12” Board & Batten all available in lengths of 16.7’. It is .044” thick and features a ¾” panel projection.

All profiles feature a wood grain texture which replicates the look and feel of real cedar and provide an even face and a flat surface. With 18 color choices, CedarBoards offers the widest selection of colors for insulated siding.

Is insulated vinyl siding worth the extra cost?

We don’t think it is due to its 33% to 50% higher cost. That’s a lot of money to recoup through lower energy bills.

CedarBoards Insulated siding provides an R Value of 2.0 to 2.7, depending on the profile. That isn’t a lot of insulation and doesn’t offer good ROI in most – or any – climates.

Northwoods Vinyl Shake & Shingle Siding

CertainTeed Northwoods vinyl shakes, and shingles do quite a good job replicating the look of milled cedar shakes and shingles. Their advantage is durability and that they are nearly maintenance-free. The profiles and their look are 7” Straight Edge Perfection Shingles, 7” Straight Edge Rough-Split Shakes, and 9” Staggered Rough-Split Shakes.

You’ll often see the Northwoods collection products used as an accent application in gables or on the lower half of a wall. But some homeowners use them to cover the entire exterior. This CertainTeed vinyl shingle and shake series is produced in 17 rich colors including dramatic darker reds and browns.

The Northwoods collection features deep tapered gaps, a ¾” to 1” panel projection and enhanced shadow lines. The panels are .060” thick and capable of withstanding winds up to 200 mph per ASTM testing.

For additional shingle and shake options see the Cedar Impressions collection under the Polymer Siding section below.

CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Innovative Technology

CertainTeed has developed a variety of innovations, many of them imports from Saint-Gobain’s manufacturing processes in Europe. These enhancements give CertainTeed an edge in areas of design, durability, and appearance.

Let’s detail some of these innovations used on one or more of the CertainTeed vinyl siding products:

TrueTexture™

Mentioned above, TrueTexture™ technology uses a direct transfer system – from genuine cedar boards to the molds that roll texturing into the vinyl pieces. The result is an appealing and authentic wood grain finish. This technique is used on some vinyl siding and on polymer products.

PermaColor™

CertainTeed’s PermaCOLOR™ system uses leading-edge technology and coloration formulas to provide fade-resistant color performance. CertainTeed has enough confidence in the technology to back PermaColor vinyl and polymer siding products with a lifetime fade protection warranty.

RigidForm™ Technology

RigidForm™ technology, available on some of the vinyl siding products, gives each piece a rolled-over nail hem that doubles its thickness and strength. The stiffening of the siding guarantees a straight appearance when installed.

Rigidform™ 200 is designed and tested to withstand wind load pressures up to 200 mph and Rigidform™ 160 will withstand wind load pressures to 160 mph.

DuraLock

DuraLock is CertainTeed’s locking system allowing each vinyl panel to snap together creating a secure fit.

STUDfinder™

STUDfinder™ is similar to systems many siding brands employ. CertainTeed makes its siding with precisely spaced nail slots with letters on the nail hem of each vinyl panel indicating where the studs are located.
Nail slots align with 16” on-center standards for stud spacing. — This system ensures that nails are positioned correctly and that the correct number of nails are used.

As a result, the siding is more secure to your home – and when installers drive nails into studs, they’re not missing studs and hitting pipes, wiring, air vents and causing other damage.

Polymer Siding

Siding made from polymers is tougher than standard vinyl, offering superior resistance to wind and impact. CertainTeed has managed to produce polymers that don’t look plasticky as some cheaper brands do. You’ll have to decide that for yourself when you get your hands on actual siding samples.

CertainTeed’s polymer siding collection includes a variety of shingle and shake choices. They are all manufactured using patented TrueTexture™ and PermaColor™ technologies to create shingles and shakes with texturing that feels like real cedar and through-color that is fade-resistant.

All polymer siding profiles are compatible with CertainTeed’s vinyl siding and trim options and hold the same limited lifetime warranty.

Cedar Impressions Individual Sawmill Shingles

Don’t miss the word “individual” here. Many vinyl and polymer shingle/shake products are manufactured in panels rather than individual pieces.

This unique product employs CertainTeed’s Ageless Cedar™ Color Blends designed to give siding the coloration of Eastern White and Western Red Cedar in various stages of aging.

Choose from 16 color choices like Freshly Cut White or Red Cedar in light, medium, and dark, Driftwood Blend, and Rustic Blend.

These shingles are .090” thick, feature a 1” panel projection and install like real cedar shingles. They are available in 7 different widths ranging from 4” to 8”.

Cedar Impressions Triple 5” Straight Edge Sawmill Shingles

This option features 5” shingles in a triple panel at .1” thick with a ¾” panel projection, and 23 color choices.

Cedar Impressions Single 7” Straight Edge Perfection Shingles

Cedar Impressions Single 7” shingles are available in 16 Ageless Cedar™ colors and are .08 to .09 thick with a ¾” projection.

Cedar Impressions Perfection Shapes: Scallop, Octagon, and Half-Cove

These shingles are used in gables, entryways, on bay/bow window bump-outs and similar focal points of a home. You’ll find them ringing houses near their eaves too. They are available in colors that will either integrate with or accent other CertainTeed siding products for mixing and matching styles, materials, and colors to create your own unique statement. — These shingles feature a molded perimeter lock to create a seamless appearance, are .09” thick with a ¾” projection.

Cedar Impressions Double 7” Staggered Perfection

Cedar Impressions Double 7 Staggered Perfection

These shingles provide a staggered edge line and an authentic wood grain finish for a more rustic appearance and are .10” thick and feature a ¾” panel projection.

Cedar Impressions Double 7” Straight Edge Rough-Split Shakes

This profile features the random texture consistent with real cedar split shakes. The shakes work equally well with any architectural style. Homeowners can use shakes to cover the entire exterior, but the most common installation is in combination with stone or stucco siding.

These rough-split shakes are available in 17 colors, are .125” thick, and feature a 1” panel projection.

Cedar Impressions Double 9” Staggered Rough-Split Shakes

These 9” shakes provide a staggered bottom edge and the genuine rough texture of mill split cedar shakes. They will provide your home with a rugged, rustic charm and are perfectly suited to a cottage or colonial where a custom designed look is desired.

These staggered shakes are available in 17 colors, are .125” thick, and feature a 1” panel projection.

Reverse Board & Batten Single 7” Reinforced Siding

The Reverse Board & Batten profile is installed vertically, of course, and can be used alone or in combination with other CertainTeed siding products. This profile features an authentic wood grain finish, narrow, flat-faced boards, and wide battens for a rustic appearance.

Reverse Board & Batten is available in 10 low-gloss colors and is reinforced with a foam backer to better replicate the rigidity and durability of real wood.

The panels are 10’ in length, .046” think and feature a 3/8 panel projection.

CertainTeed Vinyl and Polymer Siding Specifics

What do these products bring to the table?

Fire Rating

All CertainTeed vinyl and polymer siding is Class 1 (A) fire rated which is the best possible rating on siding materials.

Sustainability

CertainTeed claims that it focuses on producing products that preserve water usage, energy consumption and waste. That’s probably true, but like all vinyl and polymer products, they are petroleum-based.

CertainTeed vinyl siding offers significantly lower environmental impact than other cladding options based on the life cycle assessment studies conducted through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Read more, if you’d like to evaluate CertainTeed’s statements.

CertainTeed has developed a take-back program for jobsite scrap vinyl and old vinyl siding to eliminate landfill waste. Some of this material is reused in new vinyl products.

Of course, the program relies on the installers to take the time to gather the scrap and send it back to CertainTeed. If this is a concern to you, ask potential installers if they participate in this program.

Lifetime Limited Warranty

CertainTeed offers a limited lifetime, non- prorated warranty on all of their vinyl siding. The warranty is also transferable but becomes prorated to 50 years when transferred.

Maintenance

To maintain your CertainTeed vinyl or polymer siding, clean it annually with a non-abrasive mild soap using a soft bristle brush. Rinse with water. Inspect the siding for any loose areas and repair. Keep your barbecue grill at least 3-4 feet away from your home.

CertainTeed Vinyl and Polymer Siding Costs

Materials

CertainTeed vinyl and polymer siding ranges from $2.50 to $10.00 per square foot depending on the profile. CedarBoards ™ Insulated siding and shingles and shakes will be at the top end of the price range followed by Monogram and Wolverine.

The Encore line falls at the lower end of the price range. Material for a 1,500 square foot home will cost between $3,750 and $15,000, depending on which profile, or combinations of profiles you select. The amount of trim, moldings, and accent pieces will add to the material costs.

Pro Tip: All CertainTeed vinyl and polymer siding can be mixed and matched, so if you like the look of shakes but can’t afford to install them on your entire home, use them as an accent and side most of the house with a more economical profile like their Encore.

Installation Costs

The cost of installation will be affected by the complexity of the job including number of windows, doors, corners, and the siding profile. Shingles and shakes take more time than clapboard panels, so installation will cost more.

Get a few estimates, but installation costs will range between $3.50 and $7.00 per square foot with individual shingles and shakes running at $6.00 to $17.00 per square foot, depending on project specifics..

Keep in mind that installation of trim, including window and door moldings, corner pieces, and decorative details may add to the overall installation cost.

Installation for a 1,500 square foot home will cost between $3,000 and $10,500 for the installation labor.

ROI

There’s a principle that holds true across building materials and renovations – the higher the price tag, the lower the return on investment.

As a result, what’s called in the building trades the cost-to-value, or ROI, for this product is closer to 60% or 65% than the 70%-plus you might receive from using standard CertainTeed vinyl siding in place of the polymer shakes and shingles.

STONEfacade Natural Stone Veneer Siding

STONEfacade is an easy-to-install manufactured stone product made from cement and strengtheners. It is designed to deliver the look and feel of real stone, and it is as successful as most other manufacturer stone brands.

STONEfacade is molded from hand-picked stone in a horizontally stacked stone style known as ledgestone.

The panels fit neatly together and are screwed into place. Panels are 8” high and either 10”, 14”, or 24” wide and can be cut to fit. The STONEfacade profile includes accessories like corner panels, sills, light, and electrical boxes.

STONEfacade is available in 4 color blends including Harbor Sunset and Adirondack Snowfall which coordinate with CertainTeed vinyl and polymer siding products.

An integrated rain screen provides a drainage plane behind the stone panel to prevent damage from water penetration. Proper drainage is essential to any veneer product, so make sure you hire an installer with experience in getting this part of the installation absolutely right.

STONEfacade comes with a 20-year limited warranty and requires only occasional cleaning with a mild soap and a soft bristle brush. No other maintenance is needed.

Here is a video of STONEfacade being installed:

CertainTeed STONEfacade Stone Veneer Siding Costs

As the most expensive product in the CertainTeed siding lineup, faux stone veneer has the lowest cost-to-value ROI – about 55% to 60% depending on the home and neighborhood. You’ll enjoy the best return if your home is upscale and sits in a neighborhood where faux stone veneer is not out of place.

Material Costs

CertainTeed STONEfacade costs about $9.50 to $15.50 per square foot. Accessory pieces including sills, light, and electric boxes will cost extra, so depending on how many you use, expect material costs of $10.00 to $16.50 per square foot.

Installation Costs

Costs to install stone veneer siding run between $7.50 and $15.50 per square foot depending on the complexity of the area where it’s being installed.

CertainTeed Online Design Tools

Have some fun with CertainTeed design tools and use them to get a very good idea of what its products will look like on your home.

CertainTeed provides color selection and design tools on their website with tools like ColorCoach™ which gives you a virtual swatchbook, ColorView™ where you can upload a photo of your home and virtually “try on” siding options and colors, and Trim-It™ which allows you to select decorative and accent trim.

Average Cost To Install New Siding Typical range $5,240 - $8,130
See costs in your area

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