Siding Ratings Systems

Length of panels

Can be as long as 40 feet

12 - 12 1/2 feet is average

Width

6 1/2 to 10 inches

Applicable Standards

ASTM E119

This means that the fire endurance ratings are similar to walls without vinyl. For example, having vinyl siding doesn't speed up a fire.

ASTM D3679

Means that the vinyl at least met the established requirements for the methods used to test the material, dimensions, expansion, appearance and windload resistance.

Thickness

Optimum panel thickness is between .038 and .48 inches. Thicker, rigid panels provide better wind resistance, protection against damage, and lay flatter and straighter.

Panel Projection

The amount the panel sticks out from the side of the home.

Look for the maximum projection for the style of vinyl selected.

Chemistry

Look for a high concentration of titanium oxide.

Formulation

High temperature fusion and after formulated manufacturing methods result in stronger panels.

Windload Pressure

The amount of wind pressure the panels can take before coming off or breaking

Look for a negative windload pressure, it gives a truer picture of windload pressure than a positive test.

Thickness

1/4 to 1/2" nominal

Min-Max .22 to .525

Thickness Swelling

8%

Maximum average per panel

Water Absorption

12%

Based on the maximum average weight of panels

Edge Straightness

Shall not exceed 1/64 inch from corner to corner on same edge

Applicable Standards

Model building codes all over the US

Recognized

ANSI product standard

Conforms

American Hardboard Association

Certified

Maker may be indicated on the back of the board using these numbers

AHA01

Boise Cascade - MN

AHA02

Weyerhauser - OK

AHA03

Temple - TX

AHA 04

Louisiana Pacific - NC

AHA 05

Forestex - OR

AHA06

Masonite - CA

AHA07

Georgia Pacific - SC

AHA08

Masonite - CA

AHA09

Evanite - CO

AHA10

Weyerhauser - OR

AHA11

Millian Blodel - Ontario

AHA12

Masonite - PA

Applicable Standards

Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau

The only shake and shingle association listed by name in all US Model Building Codes

Cert-label

Only Certi-Labeled products have been inspected and meet the standards for quality, material, packaging and shipping.

Thermal Mass

The ability of a heavy, dense material to store heat and gradually release it

House stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer

Sizes

There are 12 sizes of brick; each given a name by the US Brick Manufacturers, these names are commonly used in the industry

Modular, Standard, Engineer Modular, Engineer Standard, Closure Modular, Closure Standard, Roman, Norman, Engineer Norman, Utility, King, Queen

Units

Clay and shale units can be made in various sizes and shapes and are either hollow or solid, more than one type of unit can be used in an application

Further Information

Brick Industry of America

There are too many types of shale and clay, variety of units that can be used in combination and the sizes of the bricks for a chart of this type.

Thickness (dry film)

.80 to 1.00 millimeters

Min-Max .22 to .525

Applicable Standards

Aluminum Association

Created a 4 digit numbering system, each number represents a different aspect of the aluminum

There are many standards associated with the many different aluminum alloys; examples are:

D714

After 3000 hours in 100% relative humidity there is no loss of gloss, no cracking or peeling

D2244

Shall not fade more than 5 color units in 5 years after all dirt has been removed

ASTM B117

Can withstand 5% salt fog for 3000 hours

Temper

Temper is the term for the hardness or toughness of aluminum

Tempers describe how the aluminum will be processed and follow this designation system.
F- Fabricated
O- Annealed
H- Cold rolled and strain hardened
W - Solution heat treated
T- Thermally treated

Chemistry

Melting Point

660° C The aluminum for siding is combined with another metal such as copper to give it strength