Deluxe vs. Woodgrain Series 2000: How Should Contractors Choose?

Gentek Deluxe Aluminum and Woodgrain Series 2000 are both aluminum siding products, but contractors should not present them as interchangeable.

The biggest difference is visual.

Deluxe gives contractors a smooth aluminum siding option with multiple profile choices. Woodgrain Series 2000 uses a woodgrain texture and a Double 4-inch clapboard profile for a more traditional textured appearance.

At Suburban Wholesale & Supply, we encourage contractors to start with the homeowner's desired appearance and then use actual siding samples to determine which Gentek aluminum product deserves the recommendation.

Don't Start by Asking Which Product Is Better

Deluxe and Woodgrain Series 2000 solve slightly different design problems.

Asking which one is "better" oversimplifies the decision.

A stronger question is:

Start With the Biggest Difference: Smooth vs. Woodgrain

Gentek Deluxe Aluminum has a smooth texture.

Woodgrain Series 2000 uses an intricate woodgrain texture designed to provide a more traditional, wood-inspired appearance.

That makes the first comparison extremely easy.

Put both samples on the table and ask:

• Do you prefer a smooth exterior?
• Do you prefer visible woodgrain texture?
• Which one looks better with your home's architecture?
• Which one works better with your brick or stone?

In many appointments, the homeowner may answer the Deluxe-versus-Woodgrain question almost immediately.

Compare the Profiles

The profile selection creates another important difference.

Gentek currently offers Deluxe Aluminum in two smooth-texture profiles:

• Double 4-inch Clapboard
• 8-inch Clapboard

Woodgrain Series 2000 currently comes in one profile:

• Double 4-inch Clapboard with woodgrain texture

That means Deluxe gives the contractor an additional profile option when the homeowner wants a wider 8-inch horizontal exposure.

Double 4 vs. 8-Inch Clapboard Changes the House

Don't treat profile selection like a technical detail.

It changes the visual rhythm of the exterior.

A Double 4-inch profile creates more horizontal lines across the wall. An 8-inch clapboard creates a broader exposure with fewer horizontal breaks.

That difference can make Deluxe particularly useful when the homeowner prefers a larger-scale horizontal appearance.

Both Products Use a Deep 1/2-Inch Butt

Deluxe and Woodgrain Series 2000 share an important design characteristic.

Gentek specifies an extra-deep 1/2-inch butt height for both products.

That depth helps create stronger shadow lines and additional dimension across the wall.

Turn both samples sideways and show the homeowner.

Compare Smooth and Textured Surfaces in Natural Light

Texture changes how light moves across the wall.

Deluxe's smooth surface can create a cleaner, more uniform visual effect.

Woodgrain Series 2000 introduces more surface detail through its textured finish.

Don't make the final judgment under showroom lighting alone.

Take both samples outside and view them in natural daylight.

Deluxe May Fit the Homeowner Who Wants a Cleaner Look

Deluxe should move higher on your recommendation list when the homeowner says things such as:

• "I don't want a lot of texture."
• "I like a clean exterior."
• "I prefer smooth siding."
• "I want a wider horizontal profile."
• "I want something simple and traditional."

Those comments are stronger sales signals than any predetermined product ranking.

Woodgrain Series 2000 May Fit the Homeowner Who Wants More Texture

Woodgrain Series 2000 becomes particularly relevant when homeowners say:

• "I like a woodgrain appearance."
• "I don't want the siding to look too smooth."
• "I want a traditional clapboard look."
• "I like more surface detail."
• "I want aluminum but prefer a textured finish."

Those statements should tell the salesperson to place Woodgrain Series 2000 beside the Deluxe sample.

Both Use Aluminum Construction

Don't create false differences between the products.

Both Deluxe and Woodgrain Series 2000 are aluminum siding systems.

Both benefit from aluminum's characteristics as an exterior building material, including corrosion resistance and the fact that the siding itself does not absorb moisture.

The primary conversation between the two should therefore focus heavily on appearance, profile and homeowner preference rather than inventing a performance battle that isn't supported by the product information.

Both Use a Polyester Exterior Finish

Gentek identifies both Deluxe Aluminum and Woodgrain Series 2000 as using a resilient LoMar polyester coating over the aluminum.

That is another reason contractors should avoid making the comparison sound like one product has a completely different basic finishing system from the other.

The visual difference is primarily the smooth Deluxe surface versus the textured Woodgrain Series 2000 appearance.

Compare Current Colors—Don't Assume

Color availability matters.

Gentek's current Woodgrain Series 2000 information lists classic colors including Bright White, Sandstone, Almond, Wicker, Canyon Clay and Dover Gray.

Deluxe color availability can vary by profile and market.

Always verify the exact color and profile combination before building it into the final proposal.

Use Actual Samples for Final Color Selection

Gentek recommends making final siding color selections from actual product samples rather than relying exclusively on screen images.

That's particularly useful in this comparison because smooth and textured surfaces can visually respond to light differently.

Compare both products:

• Outside in natural daylight
• Against existing brick
• Against stone
• Near windows
• Beside the roof color
• With proposed soffit and fascia

Both Offer Low-Maintenance Exterior Options

Gentek describes both Deluxe and Woodgrain Series 2000 as requiring relatively little routine upkeep.

That means low maintenance generally should not be used as the deciding factor between these two products.

Instead, use it as part of the overall aluminum siding story.

And avoid the phrase "maintenance free." Every exterior requires reasonable inspection and occasional cleaning.

Compare Warranty Documents, Not Salesperson Memory

Gentek identifies both Deluxe and Woodgrain Series 2000 as backed by lifetime limited, non-prorated, transferable warranty protection with applicable chalk and color-change coverage.

But contractors should always use the current written warranty when discussing exact coverage, limitations and exclusions.

Don't Turn Deluxe Into "Good" and Woodgrain Into "Better"

This is an important sales mistake to avoid.

Texture does not automatically make Woodgrain Series 2000 better than Deluxe.

Smooth does not automatically make Deluxe more modern.

They are design choices.

If the homeowner loves the smooth appearance of Deluxe, moving them into Woodgrain simply because you have labeled it "better" may actually move them away from the product they prefer.

The 8-Inch Deluxe Profile Can Be the Deciding Factor

One clear distinction is profile flexibility.

Woodgrain Series 2000 is currently offered as a Double 4-inch clapboard.

Deluxe also offers an 8-inch clapboard.

If the homeowner prefers a broader horizontal exposure, Deluxe may become the straightforward recommendation regardless of texture.

Let the Architecture Help Decide

Contractors should also step outside and look at the house.

Consider:

• Size of the elevations
• Existing architectural style
• Window proportions
• Brick or stone areas
• Rooflines
• Current siding exposure
• Whether the homeowner wants subtle or visible texture

Sometimes the house will make one profile feel substantially more natural than the other.

Deluxe vs. Woodgrain Series 2000 at a Glance

A Simple Contractor Decision Process

1. Ask what the homeowner dislikes about the existing siding.
2. Determine whether they prefer smooth or textured siding.
3. Determine whether a Double 4-inch or wider 8-inch exposure better fits the home.
4. Put Deluxe and Woodgrain Series 2000 samples side by side.
5. Let the homeowner touch both surfaces.
6. Turn both samples sideways and demonstrate the profile and 1/2-inch butt.
7. Compare current available colors.
8. Take the preferred samples outside.
9. Compare them against the home's existing materials.
10. Review current written warranty information.
11. Verify product availability.
12. Then prepare the recommendation and installed price.

A Better Kitchen-Table Explanation

Don't Overcomplicate an Easy Decision

Contractors sometimes feel they need a long list of technical differences to justify having two products in the presentation.

You don't.

Deluxe and Woodgrain Series 2000 share important aluminum siding characteristics.

Their biggest differences are easy for homeowners to understand:

• Smooth vs. woodgrain
• Profile availability
• Color availability
• Finished appearance on the home

Let Suburban Wholesale & Supply Help You Compare the Products

Suburban Wholesale & Supply works with professional siding contractors throughout Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island and the surrounding Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Contractors can use our showroom and team as a resource for current Gentek Deluxe Aluminum and Woodgrain Series 2000 samples, colors, profiles, literature, accessories and product information.

Before recommending one over the other, put the products side by side. Learn the differences, demonstrate them clearly and let the homeowner's priorities determine which product belongs on the house.

Sources & Additional Resources

• Gentek Building Products — Deluxe Aluminum Siding: Current manufacturer information covering the smooth texture, Double 4-inch and 8-inch clapboard profiles, 1/2-inch butt, finish and product features.
• Gentek Building Products — Woodgrain Series 2000 Aluminum Siding: Current manufacturer information covering the woodgrain texture, Double 4-inch profile, 1/2-inch butt, colors, finish and product features.
• Gentek Building Products — Siding Product Specification Directory: Current specifications and color availability for Gentek vinyl, aluminum and steel siding products.
• Gentek Building Products — Deluxe and Woodgrain 2000 Aluminum Siding Warranty: Current warranty information regarding coverage, transferability, chalking and color-change protection.
• Gentek Building Products — Color Clear Through: Current information regarding color coordination among siding, soffit, fascia, trim and rainware products.
• Gentek Building Products — Gentek Visualizer: Digital exterior design resource for comparing siding profiles, colors and other exterior selections.