Contractors sometimes treat siding profile as though it were simply a line item:

"Do you want D4 or D5?"

That question is too technical and too early.

Homeowners are not really choosing between numbers.

They are choosing:

• How busy or calm the wall looks
• How wide the house feels
• How strong the shadow lines appear
• Whether the exterior feels traditional or more contemporary
• Whether horizontal or vertical lines dominate
• How siding works with windows, gables, rooflines, brick and stone

Gentek currently gives contractors several steel profile choices across SteelTek, SteelSide, SteelTek Supreme, Cedarwood and Universal steel siding.

The contractor's job is to understand how those profiles affect architecture before recommending one.

Start by Looking at the Entire Elevation

Before opening the sample bag, stand back and study the house.

Look at:

Then ask:

"Do we want the siding to reinforce the architecture that's already here, or do we want to change the way the house reads from the street?"

That question should come before profile selection.

Understand the Current Gentek Steel Profile Map

Gentek's current Product Directory provides the broader steel siding profile lineup and detailed specifications.

D4: Use a Smaller Exposure for More Horizontal Rhythm

D4 steel siding uses two 4" exposures per panel.

Gentek currently offers D4 within SteelTek, SteelSide, SteelTek Supreme and Cedarwood. SteelSide's current D4, for example, uses a 1/2" butt, two 4" exposures and a woodgrain texture.

Current SteelSide specifications can be reviewed on the Gentek SteelSide page.

D4 deserves consideration when the homeowner wants:

• A traditional clapboard appearance
• More horizontal definition
• A smaller visual scale
• A profile that relates naturally to smaller windows or more detailed elevations

"D4 puts more horizontal lines across the house, so it tends to create a tighter, more traditional siding rhythm."

Do Not Automatically Use D4 Because the Existing Siding Is D4

Replacement siding gives you an opportunity to reevaluate the architecture.

Ask:

"Do you want the house to look essentially the same when we're done—or do you want this project to change the scale of the exterior?"

If the customer wants familiarity, D4 may be ideal.

If they want a significant visual change, compare D5 and 8" before automatically reproducing the old exterior.

D5 Clapboard: A Strong Middle Ground

Gentek currently offers D5 Clapboard through SteelSide and SteelTek Supreme.

The current SteelSide D5 uses two 5" exposures, while SteelTek Supreme's D5 uses the same exposure with its Kynar PVDF finish and roughsawn texture. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

D5 can be especially useful when:

• The house has large wall areas
• D4 appears too visually busy
• The homeowner still wants a traditional horizontal profile
• The contractor wants a slightly broader wall scale

"D5 keeps the classic clapboard appearance but gives the walls a little more breathing room."

8" Horizontal: Use Width Intentionally

Gentek currently offers an 8" horizontal profile in SteelTek, SteelSide, Cedarwood and SteelTek Supreme.

Current SteelSide and SteelTek Supreme specifications both show an 8" exposure and a 1/2" butt. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Consider 8" when:

• The home has long horizontal elevations
• The homeowner wants fewer siding lines
• You want to emphasize width
• The architecture can support a larger-scale profile
• The homeowner wants a more distinctive siding exposure

A ranch-style home is an obvious place to test an 8" profile because the horizontal lines may reinforce the home's long, low proportions.

But do not turn that into a rigid rule.

"The 8-inch profile gives us fewer horizontal lines. On this elevation, that may help calm the wall down and emphasize the home's width."

Dutch Lap: Choose It for Shadow and Character

Gentek Universal currently gives contractors a Double 5" Dutch Lap steel profile.

Gentek's Product Directory lists the Universal profile with two 5" exposures, a 1/2" butt, PVC finish and woodgrain texture. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Do not treat that as simply another D5.

Consider Dutch Lap when:

• The homeowner specifically likes Dutch Lap
• The elevation needs more shadow definition
• A simple flat horizontal rhythm feels too plain
• The house has traditional architectural detailing that benefits from additional visual texture

"The exposure is five inches, but the real reason to choose this is the Dutch Lap detail. It adds another layer of shadow and character."

Board & Batten: Change the Direction of the Architecture

Horizontal profiles influence scale.

Board & Batten changes direction.

Gentek currently offers 12" Board & Batten through SteelTek Supreme and Universal.

SteelTek Supreme's current profile uses a 12" exposure with a 2" batten and 5/8" batten height. Universal uses the same basic 12" vertical format in a PVC-finished system. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Consider Board & Batten for:

But do not automatically put Board & Batten on every gable.

Ask whether the change in direction actually improves the elevation.

"We should use vertical siding where it creates intentional architectural emphasis—not simply because Board & Batten is popular."

Ranch Homes: Start by Testing D5 and 8"

Ranch homes often have strong horizontal proportions.

That does not mean one profile is automatically correct, but D5 and 8" are logical profiles to test first.

If the front elevation has a prominent entry or garage section, a carefully placed Board & Batten accent can introduce vertical contrast.

Keep the design disciplined. A ranch can become visually cluttered quickly if too many profiles and colors are introduced.

Two-Story Homes: Watch the Scale

A tall elevation creates different profile considerations.

Too many small horizontal courses can make a large wall feel overly busy.

D5 or 8" may reduce that visual repetition.

Board & Batten can also be powerful—but remember that vertical lines can reinforce height.

"This is already a tall house. If we use vertical siding here, we're going to emphasize that height even more. Is that the effect we want?"

Sometimes the correct answer is yes. Sometimes horizontal siding creates better balance.

Traditional Homes: D4 and D5 Are Natural Starting Points

Homes with traditional detailing often pair naturally with traditional clapboard proportions.

Start by comparing D4 and D5.

Then ask:

"Do you want the new exterior to preserve a tighter traditional rhythm, or would you like the siding courses to feel slightly broader?"

Dutch Lap can also be appropriate when more shadow detail complements the architecture.

Do not assume traditional means boring. Profile, color and trim can create considerable character without abandoning the architectural language of the house.

Farmhouse-Inspired Designs: Do Not Automatically Use All Board & Batten

Board & Batten has become strongly associated with farmhouse-inspired exteriors.

But an entire house covered in vertical siding is not automatically a better farmhouse.

Consider:

• Horizontal siding on the main body
• Board & Batten on gables
• Vertical siding around the entry
• A garage projection in Board & Batten
• Whole-house Board & Batten only when the architecture supports it

"The goal isn't to prove we know what Board & Batten is. The goal is to use it where it makes the house better."

Craftsman-Inspired Homes: Texture and Shadow Matter

Craftsman-influenced exteriors often rely on layered materials, shadow lines and visual weight.

Depending on the specific architecture, D4, D5 or Dutch Lap may all deserve consideration.

Cedarwood can also become an interesting conversation when the homeowner wants a warmer, cedar-inspired exterior.

Gentek currently offers Cedarwood in D4 and 8" Clapboard profiles with woodgrain texture and specialized cedar-inspired colors. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

"On this house, profile is only half of the design. We also need to think about texture, stone, trim and the visual weight of the materials together."

Mid-Century or Cleaner Contemporary Homes: Reduce Visual Noise

When the architecture is simple, highly repetitive small siding courses can work against that simplicity.

An 8" horizontal profile may be worth testing because it reduces the number of visible courses.

Board & Batten can also work as a strong geometric contrast in selected areas.

The guiding idea should be restraint: fewer lines, fewer unnecessary transitions and stronger intentional forms.

Brick and Stone Should Influence the Profile

Masonry already adds texture and visual activity.

The siding should support it rather than compete with it.

If the brick or stone is highly varied, a calmer siding profile may create balance.

If the masonry is simple and limited, Dutch Lap or Board & Batten may provide useful additional detail.

"The stone already gives us a lot of movement. I don't think the siding needs to fight for attention."

That is architectural selling.

Window Size Matters More Than Most Salespeople Realize

Profile scale should relate visually to windows and openings.

A very wide profile on a small, heavily divided elevation can sometimes feel oversized.

A very narrow profile on a large, simple wall can sometimes create excessive visual repetition.

Look at:

• Window width
• Window height
• Spacing between openings
• Trim width
• Amount of uninterrupted siding wall

Profile choice should make the entire elevation feel proportional.

Do Not Create the “Sample Board House”

Access to multiple profiles does not mean you should use all of them.

Avoid:

More choices can produce a worse exterior.

A stronger design usually uses:

Premium design often comes from knowing when to stop.

Use Profile Changes Only at Logical Architectural Breaks

Do not stop one siding profile in the middle of a flat wall because the homeowner wants "some Board & Batten."

Look for natural transitions:

• Inside corners
• Outside corners
• Gable lines
• Roof changes
• Garage projections
• Recessed entries
• Story breaks where the design supports the change

"If we're going to change the profile, I want the house itself to tell us where that change should happen."

Use the Same Color to Compare Profiles

This is a simple sales technique that improves decision quality.

If you compare a blue D4 sample to a gray D5 sample and a dark 8" sample, the homeowner may be reacting to color instead of profile.

When possible:

1. Compare profile first.
2. Choose the architectural direction.
3. Then compare colors.
4. Then finalize trim and accessories.

Separate the variables.

Photograph the House Before the Kitchen-Table Presentation

Profile selection improves dramatically when the contractor brings the actual house into the presentation.

Photograph:

• Front elevation straight on
• Both front corners
• Major side elevations
• Gables
• Garage projections
• Brick and stone interfaces

Then discuss profiles using those photographs.

"Instead of deciding from a sample board, let's talk about what each profile would do to this actual wall."

Use Visualization to Compare Scale

A siding sample shows the product.

A rendering shows the architecture.

Gentek provides exterior visualization tools through its Color & Design resources.

When the tool supports the desired product and profile, compare:

Keep the color as consistent as possible.

Then ask:

"Which version makes the proportions of the house look best?"

That is the decision you actually want.

A Simple Architecture-to-Profile Guide

The Five-Question Profile Selection Process

The 30-Second Profile Presentation

What Should a Salesperson Never Say?

The Product Should Follow the Architectural Decision

This is the most important concept in the lesson.

Do not begin:

"I want to sell SteelTek Supreme. Which Supreme profile can we put on this house?"

Begin:

"Which profile makes this house look best?"

Then determine whether that leads to:

• SteelTek
• SteelSide
• Universal
• Cedarwood
• SteelTek Supreme

Architecture first. Product second.

Compare Gentek Steel Profiles With Suburban Wholesale & Supply

Profile selection is much easier when contractors can compare actual siding instead of relying on profile names and dimensions.

Suburban Wholesale & Supply helps professional contractors throughout Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, the Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois compare siding profiles, samples, colors, accessories and material options.

Explore siding products available through Suburban Wholesale & Supply, or bring project photographs and exterior plans to our Davenport showroom to compare profiles before finalizing the homeowner presentation.

Our team can also help contractors verify current Gentek product availability, profiles, colors, accessories and material packages before a proposal becomes a promise.

The best profile is not the one your salesperson sells most often. It is the one that makes the architecture of the house look intentional when the project is finished.

Sources & Contractor Resources