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Thc nrlrtcrill conpat'isou ol thc VSI rcpor-t rras buscrl on lrrtlin-us ltrrnr thc Nutional Institutc ol Stunclarrls rrnrl Tcchnoloqr'' s stlrrttlarcl bu i lclir-rg cvul ultion cr.itcril. cllletl Ijrrilcling lor

F.nvilorrrncr-rtul & Econonric Strstuirta bilitr tlltrlrS ). I'his nrorlcl plints li rich trLpcstrl clcsclibing circh crtcrior cliidrlins's lilc crcle. sturtrng lirnr the crtr-lrclion ol'nrr'''nratclials all thc r'rar to instullation uncl nurirttetrancc. As eviilcnced in tlrc rcpor.t. r'invl sicling has sustainlblc bcncl'its l'r'orrr thc bcgirrnins to thc cnrl. l;ol staltcrs. thc enrt'roclictl crtergr. or ovcrall cnclgy.l ptrcluct ri ill usc rn its life cycle, is low in vinyl siding compared to other materials, due to relatively low energy used for material extraction and manufacturing. In fact, vinyl's two building blocks are common salt, from which chlorine is extracted, and natural gas, from which ethylene is made. Common salt is one of earth's most common compounds, while natural gas is readily available in the U.S. and has far less environmental impact than imported fossil fuels used to produce other materials.

On top of efficient raw material extraction, any scrap material from manufacturing vinyl can be reused to make pipes or other vinyl product, resulting in virtually no manufacturing waste. According to the report, vinyl siding does not contribute to the creation of CO' or other pollutants commonly affiliated with global warming potential, and its potential of releasing harmful chemicals is lower than even natural wood shakes.

The low maintenance characteristics that make vinyl a favorite of homeowners also make it a favorite of those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Additional chemicals are not needed throughout the product's life because vinyl siding never needs to be painted, stained or caulked, it can be cleaned with simple soap and water, and it is wind and water resistant.

From a practical standpoint, vinyl siding weighs less than most materials and scrap rates are less than 1.97o of all construction waste. For distributors and lumberyards, this means less energy is required to physically transport vinyl siding to the job site than its heavier counterparts, saving on fossil fuels. Cleaning up scrap siding is also simple and efficient.

With a greater emphasis than ever on green products, vinyl siding's green verification is a great selling point, not only to builders and contractors who specialize in green and sustainable building, but to those who are just looking to help their customers save time and money with an efficient, low-maintenance, low waste product. In short, green home products are what customers want.

Vinyl siding even contributes points for certification in the LEED for New Construction and LEED for Homes Rating Systems, as well as the National Green Building Standard. Due to the effective energy performance of insulated vinyl siding, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which serves as the major regulatory tool for energy efficient construction, has recognized insulated siding as a building material that can be used as continuous insulation outside of the framing. Energy Star has also included insulated siding in the checklist of products that help homes qualify to earn the Energy Star Qualified Homes label.

As vinyl siding becomes more versatile-both aesthetically, with a wider range of textures and colors, and sustainably, as we have seen from VSI's report-it will have even more impact on the future of home design. Expect to see builders, remodelers, architects, designers, contractors and homeowners create the next generation of great-looking, green homes with vinyl siding.

To view the full report, visit www.vinylsiding.org.

- Jerry Blais is v.p.-marketing of the Ply Gem siding group, a leading manufacturer of exterior building products. Blais leads product management, brand communication, and channel development for the company's siding and accessories brands, including Mastic Home Exteriors, Variform and NAPCO. Reach him via www.plygem.com.