Since 2021, vinyl has been a popular material for residential siding. The benefits it provides and the overall aesthetic of this siding type make it a great choice for most homeowners in most climates. With more talk about global warming a climate change, homeowners are looking for materials that are recyclable, environmentally friendly, and can last through harsh weather conditions. Vinyl is environmentally friendly in multiple ways, which is one of the reasons it has grown in popularity. Let’s look at some of the ways vinyl siding can help you reduce your carbon footprint and protect your home.
Less Waste
Recycling is the biggest reason to utilize vinyl siding for your home. Using vinyl siding that has been recycled means you are creating less waste that will sit in a landfill. Sustainable siding will be cut up, ground up, or repositioned to be used again on another home, reducing landfill accumulation and greenhouse gas emissions. Working with your home designer or contractor to help you find recycled materials. Vinyl is made up of 57% salt, which makes it easy to grind up without concerns for creating waste or putting harmful chemicals into the environment.
Longevity
Vinyl siding lasts for 20-40 years if proper maintenance is followed, which also means you won’t have to replace or repair the siding frequently. Having long-lasting and durable siding will save you money on frequent repairs after a storm or harsh winter. This helps your home become more environmentally friendly because you avoid increasing the demand for new materials. The longer the siding can remain on your home, the less pollution, effort, and natural materials are needed to create new siding. Although vinyl can be recycled and made with older materials, it is still helpful to reduce the creation of new siding.
Easier To Produce
The labor and production that go into creating home materials also contribute to environmental concerns. Almost all siding creation will result in fossil fuel production and create waste during the construction process. During creation, vinyl siding requires minimal raw material to produce, and the production process uses less water and energy than other siding materials. Reducing water usage is one of the most important factors in going green, as it is one of the most highly used resources on the planet. Production of vinyl siding, especially if you use recycled siding, uses less water per square foot than fiber cement production.
Comparing Vinyl To Other Materials
Let’s look at how vinyl siding compares to other materials in the sustainability category.
Fiber Cement
Compared to vinyl, fiber cement is rarely recycled and uses natural elements like sand and rock. Fiber cement is fire-resistant and moisture-resistant, which makes it a better option in that regard than vinyl. Utilizing fiber cement could be more environmentally friendly for homes in climates that are more at risk for fire and humidity.
Brick And Mortar
Brick is one of the highest contributors to environmental concerns when it comes to siding. Over the entire lifespan of the material, vinyl ranked better on fossil fuel depletion, global warming, and human toxicity than brick. The Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) looks at the manufacturing process and the raw materials used in creation to construct these data points. The production of bricks contributes significantly to environmental concerns.
Wood
Wood is a natural resource that can be regenerated, but excessive use could lead to deforestation and ozone depletion. Trees help us to have clean air to breathe, so limiting the number of trees on our planet could let pollution take over. However, wood siding has the lowest end-of-life impact of any siding material. Wood is biodegradable, meaning that even if you let it sit in a landfill, it will decompose naturally without emitting dangerous toxins.
The Cons Of Vinyl Siding
Human-made materials will always have cons when it comes to the environment and production pollutants, and vinyl is no different. Although vinyl releases fewer chemicals into the air during its lifespan, it is still crafted from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is derived from fossil fuels. Especially if this material is burned, it releases toxic gases that could pose lasting health risks. This is why it is important to keep vinyl out of landfills and incinerators.
If you work with a manufacturing company that is not concerned with its environmental impact, your vinyl siding is less likely to be environmentally friendly. Many manufacturers are working on ways to limit gas levels during production and are encouraging past customers to recycle their old siding. If you are worried about the production repercussions of vinyl, look for a manufacturer that uses recycled materials.
The Bottom Line
Overall, vinyl siding can be environmentally friendly when produced and installed with the environment in mind. Recycling different siding materials is the best way to limit our carbon footprint across the globe. Some dioxins can be present when vinyl siding is disposed of, but the longer lifespan of the material makes the amount of waste in landfills lower than other man-made materials. It is up to the homeowner to determine what material is best for their home, if they want to use recycled vinyl, or if a more natural material, like wood, will help them feel better about their contribution to global warming.
Vinyl Siding From Our Experts
Unlimited Siding offers vinyl siding to help protect Utah homes from the harsh winter and summer weather. The exterior of your home can be better protected when you install vinyl siding. This affordable material can last for years when properly maintained, especially if you work with a quality manufacturer and installer. We can help your home look new again with the help of vinyl siding. Reach out to Unlimited Siding to improve your home along the Wasatch Front.
