Vinyl siding from LP Corporation comes in an assortment of styles, colors and price points to fit the taste and budget of any home buyer. Made with premium vinyl compounds and ultraviolet inhibitors, these products can withstand the harshest climates year-round. Colors penetrate clear through the substrate so that -- unlike on wood or metal -- scratches cannot show. Nor are there worries about streaking, peeling or warping. LP vinyl siding products retain their color and appearance for years.

Most builders are well aware of the many advantages of vinyl siding over other materials. But they might be unfamiliar with all the special features and benefits of the better-grade vinyl products and how well they compare with their wood and fiber-cement counterparts. "High-end, high-quality vinyl cladding can look every bit as good -- or even better -- than wood or fiber-cement," says Rob Long, LP's marketing manager for vinyl siding. "Meanwhile, better-grade vinyl products maintain that excellent appearance without the heavy cost and hassle of annual maintenance. That's a prime selling point with many home buyers today."

The many benefits of higher-quality vinyl siding cannot help but shape consumer attitudes, and the builders' profits, says Long. "With premium exterior cladding, the builder can benefit from a perception of greater value. That, in turn, can help him get a little more money for the homes he builds."

Competitive Edge: SmartGuard Just like wood: True-to-life, cedar-grain finish available in multiple colors. Low maintenance: Colors penetrate clear through substrate, so there’s no need for painting — ever — saving customers money over the years. Higher profile height: Adds rigidity for a straighter appearance and enhances curb appeal with deeper shadow lines. Self-aligning system: Positive, snap-together assembly ensures quick and proper assembly, saving time and money. Double-thick nail hem lines: At .092 inch, they boost wind resistance up to 180 mph. Lifetime limited warranty: Easily transferable from one homeowner to the next.

Cut Above the Rest LP is demonstrating two high-end vinyl siding products in the Behind the Walls House: LP Maxim™ siding and ABTco TimberCrest™ siding. Featuring an authentic-looking wood-grain finish molded from real wood, these two products feature the appearance of low-gloss, freshly painted cedar. Both offer a wide range of color-matched accessories and trims, as well as a variety of soffit styles with identical or contrasting trims.

Thicker panels for greater durability: Maxim and TimberCrest both measure .046 inch in thickness, giving them the look and feel of better-grade wood products. The extra heft and rigidity enable them to hold up against weather extremes in any climate.

Larger, more dramatic profile heights: Maxim and TimberCrest are available in clapboard and Dutch lap profiles whose heights measure .75 inch rather than the .5 inch of conventional vinyl siding. The extra quarter-inch creates deeper shadow lines.

The larger profile height — and the added rigidity it delivers — also helps Maxim and TimberCrest hang straighter, easing the installer’s task. “Many fiber-cement and wood siding products don’t always lay flat,” says Long. “As a result, when they are nailed to the sheathing and studs, they can’t help but reflect the physical imperfections of the substrate.”

But, as Long notes, a good installer can overcome the challenges of a crooked wall through various installation techniques. “The greater rigidity of a premium vinyl product like Maxim or TimberCrest makes the job of hiding substrate flaws even easier.”

Self-aligning installation: Maxim and TimberCrest feature self-aligning panel-locking systems. These systems provide a positive, snap-together connection for quick, easy assembly while also permitting the flexibility an installer needs to keep the panels straight and level. “If the first course on the job is level,” says Long, “the remaining courses up the wall should run level as well, with little need for adjustment. The installation looks sharp, and the installer finishes faster.”

Wind-resistant nail hems: Double-thick nail hem lines (.092 inch) help affix the panels to the substrate more securely — no small consideration in areas accustomed to high winds. “Usually the weakest point in the siding is the nail hem where the panel attaches to substrate,” Long says. “If a nail hem breaks in a heavy wind, the siding can blow right off the side of a house. With twice the thickness of standard nail hems, TimberCrest and Maxim offer blow-off resistance to winds up to 180 miles per hour.”

TimberCrest is available in an expanding palette of eight colors, while Maxim is up to 12. Both are covered by a fully transferable, nonprorated lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

Click Here to receive more information on Maxim Vinyl Siding.

Click Here to receive more information on TimberCrest Vinyl Siding.

Click Here for the company's Web site or call 800/648-6893.