Vinyl siding is made from durable plastic panels that lock together on your home's exterior. The material doesn't rot, warp, or attract bugs. It handles rain, snow, and sun without breaking down.

Each panel has a top edge that nails to your house and a bottom edge that hooks onto the panel below it. When installed correctly, the pieces overlap to keep water out while allowing the material to expand and contract with temperature changes.

Callout: Vinyl moves more than wood when temperatures shift. Installers leave small gaps at corners and trim pieces so panels can move without buckling in summer heat or cracking in winter cold.

Vinyl siding gets tested for wind strength and impact resistance. Products are rated for different wind speeds based on where you live. Coastal areas need higher ratings than inland locations.

Insulated vinyl siding has foam attached to the back of each panel. The foam fills the gap between the siding and your wall, adding an extra layer of insulation.

Modern vinyl holds its color much longer than older versions. The top layer includes UV protection that fights sun damage. Lighter colors stay looking new longer than very dark shades.

Good Climate Match — Vinyl handles freeze‑thaw cycles, humidity, and big temperature swings without problems. It doesn't soak up water, so it won't rot or grow mold like wood can.

Needs Good Prep — Your home's walls need to be solid and flat before vinyl goes on. The siding doesn't add strength—it just covers and protects what's already there. Water barriers and proper flashing matter more than the siding choice.

What It Can't Do — Vinyl can crack if you hit it hard in very cold weather; very dark colors might warp if installed too tight; you can't hang heavy things directly on vinyl panels—mount to framing behind the siding.