How to Build a Complete Gentek Aluminum Exterior Package

The strongest aluminum siding proposals do not stop at the wall.

A complete exterior package should consider siding, soffit, fascia, trim, gutters, window and door details, color coordination and the custom aluminum work required to tie everything together.

That approach creates a better-looking project, gives the homeowner a more complete understanding of what they are buying and gives the contractor more opportunities to build value into the proposal.

At Suburban Wholesale & Supply, we encourage contractors to present the exterior as one system instead of pricing each component in isolation.

Start With the Siding Product

The siding usually covers the largest visual area of the home, so it should anchor the rest of the package.

Start by selecting the Gentek aluminum siding product that best fits the homeowner:

• Deluxe Aluminum
• Woodgrain Series 2000
• Cedarwood Aluminum

Then select the correct profile, texture and color before moving into the surrounding exterior components.

Build the Package Around the Design Goal

Don't assume every complete package should look the same.

Ask what the homeowner wants the finished exterior to feel like:

• Traditional
• Clean and simple
• High contrast
• More natural and wood-inspired
• Blended and understated

That design direction should influence every choice that follows.

Add the Soffit

Soffit is both functional and visual.

Gentek offers aluminum soffit in solid and vented configurations, giving contractors options for appearance and ventilation.

The soffit package should account for:

• Existing ventilation needs
• Solid versus vented panels
• Soffit color
• How the soffit coordinates with fascia
• How the soffit relates to siding and trim

Do not treat soffit color as an afterthought.

Add the Fascia

Fascia creates a major horizontal line around the roof edge.

Decide whether the fascia should:

• Match the soffit
• Match the trim
• Blend with the siding
• Create a contrasting roofline

The wrong fascia color can make an otherwise coordinated exterior feel disconnected.

Add Window and Door Trim

Window and door trim can dramatically influence the finished appearance.

Decide whether the openings should stand out or quietly blend into the siding.

Include:

• Window wraps
• Door wraps
• Head flashing details
• Sill details
• J-channel and receiving channels
• Custom trim coil work

Good trim work should look intentional and consistent across the project.

Include Custom Brake Work

Custom aluminum fabrication can become one of the most visible signs of craftsmanship on the finished project.

Build the package around any custom details required for:

• Windows
• Doors
• Fascia
• Frieze boards
• Porch posts
• Beam wraps
• Transitions
• Special architectural details

Don't hide this work inside a generic line item. Explain what the homeowner is getting.

Add the Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters sit directly against the fascia and can have a major visual impact on the finished roofline.

Decide whether the gutter system should:

• Match the fascia
• Match the siding
• Match dark trim
• Create a subtle contrast

Also consider whether the homeowner needs 5-inch or 6-inch seamless gutters based on roof area, water volume and project requirements.

Include Gutter Protection if Appropriate

A complete exterior package may also be the right time to discuss gutter protection.

If the homeowner wants to reduce debris entering the gutter system, present the appropriate options as part of the full exterior conversation rather than bringing them up after the project is already sold.

The key is to make the recommendation based on the property and homeowner's needs, not simply because another product can be added to the proposal.

Coordinate the Entire Color Palette

Once the components are selected, put all the colors together.

Review:

• Siding
• Soffit
• Fascia
• Window trim
• Door trim
• Gutters
• Downspouts
• Roof
• Brick
• Stone
• Entry door

Do not approve each color independently.

Build a Blended Package

A blended package keeps most of the exterior colors relatively close together.

For example:

• Siding in the primary color
• Soffit in a close coordinating tone
• Fascia in a similar tone
• Trim that does not strongly contrast
• Gutters matched closely to fascia

This can create a calm, unified exterior.

Build a Classic Contrast Package

A classic contrast package uses the trim and roofline to define the siding.

For example:

• Medium or darker siding
• Light soffit
• Light fascia
• Light window and door trim
• Gutters coordinated with the fascia

This creates clear definition without requiring a large number of accent colors.

Build a Bold Contrast Package

A bolder package may use dark trim against lighter siding or strong roofline contrast.

This can work well on the right architecture, but it should be deliberate.

Too many dark accent areas can make the exterior visually busy.

Cedarwood Packages Need More Restraint

Cedarwood already contains more visual variation than a typical solid-color siding.

That means the rest of the package may need to be simpler.

Consider:

• Neutral soffit
• Simple fascia color
• Limited accent colors
• Trim that picks up one of the siding tones

Let the Cedarwood finish do the visual work.

Deluxe Packages Can Lean Cleaner

Deluxe Aluminum's smooth appearance can work particularly well in a clean, restrained exterior package.

Crisp trim, simple fascia and controlled contrast can reinforce the smooth siding surface instead of competing with it.

Woodgrain Series 2000 Works Well in Traditional Packages

Woodgrain Series 2000's texture and Double 4-inch profile lend themselves naturally to many traditional exterior designs.

Coordinated light trim, traditional roofline colors and restrained accents can reinforce that classic appearance.

Use Actual Samples

A complete exterior package should be built with actual product samples whenever possible.

Bring together:

• Siding sample
• Soffit sample
• Fascia sample
• Trim coil sample
• Gutter color sample

Take the complete set outside and compare it with the actual house.

Use Visualization to Show the Whole Exterior

Physical samples are excellent for color and texture.

Digital visualization can help the homeowner understand how the entire package works across the full elevation.

Use visualization to narrow choices, then confirm final selections with physical samples.

Build the Proposal as a Package

Do not make the homeowner mentally assemble the project from ten unrelated line items.

Organize the proposal so the complete exterior makes sense.

A package might include:

1. Gentek aluminum siding
2. Wall preparation
3. Required accessories
4. Soffit
5. Fascia
6. Window and door wrapping
7. Custom trim work
8. Seamless gutters
9. Downspouts
10. Optional gutter protection

Create Good-Better-Best Exterior Packages

Good-better-best can work especially well when the differences are based on project scope.

Every level should still be a project the contractor is comfortable standing behind.

Don't Hide the Upgrade

If the complete package costs more, show the homeowner why.

Demonstrate the added value:

• More complete exterior coordination
• New soffit and fascia
• Additional custom trim
• New gutters and downspouts
• More finished architectural details

Don't expect the customer to pay for upgrades they do not understand.

A Simple Complete Exterior Presentation

1. Inspect the entire exterior.
2. Select the appropriate Gentek aluminum siding product.
3. Select the profile and color.
4. Evaluate soffit condition and ventilation needs.
5. Evaluate fascia condition.
6. Determine window and door trim requirements.
7. Identify custom brake work.
8. Evaluate the gutter system.
9. Coordinate the complete color palette.
10. Take all samples outside together.
11. Use visualization if helpful.
12. Build one or more clearly defined exterior packages.
13. Explain what changes between the packages.
14. Then present the installed investment.

A Better 60-Second Complete Exterior Explanation

The Complete Package Should Solve More Than One Problem

A complete exterior package should not simply be a larger invoice.

It should solve multiple exterior needs in a coordinated way.

It may address:

• Deteriorated siding
• Old soffit
• Damaged fascia
• Unfinished trim
• Failing gutters
• Inconsistent exterior colors
• Outdated architectural details

That's what makes the package valuable.

Build Complete Gentek Exterior Packages With Suburban Wholesale & Supply

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 to compare Gentek aluminum siding, soffit, fascia, trim, color options and other exterior components before building the final proposal.

Bring your project measurements, photos and color questions into the showroom and build the complete exterior before the first piece of siding ever reaches the jobsite.

Sources & Additional Resources

• Gentek Building Products — Aluminum Siding: Current manufacturer information for Deluxe Aluminum, Woodgrain Series 2000 and Cedarwood aluminum siding systems.
• Gentek Building Products — Aluminum Soffit and Fascia: Current information regarding Gentek aluminum soffit, ventilation options and fascia products.
• Gentek Building Products — Color Clear Through: Current color coordination resources for siding, soffit, fascia, trim and rainware.
• Gentek Building Products — Gentek Visualizer: Exterior visualization tool for comparing siding, trim, roofing and other exterior combinations.
• Gentek Building Products — Product Directory: Current profile, color, accessory and product availability information.
• The Aluminum Association — Building & Construction: Industry information regarding aluminum in exterior building and construction applications.