Start With More Than the Color

When someone says they need to match siding, color is usually the first thing they notice. But color is only one part of identifying an existing vinyl siding product.

A useful product match may require looking at several characteristics:

• Manufacturer, if known
• Product line
• Original color
• Profile and exposure
• Panel dimensions
• Texture or embossing
• Locking configuration
• Approximate age of the installation

Two siding products can look nearly identical from the driveway and still be incompatible when you try to lock the panels together.

Bring a Good Sample Whenever Possible

Photos are helpful, but a physical sample can provide information that is difficult to determine from a picture.

A sample allows the product to be compared for profile, thickness, texture, locking design, dimensions, and color.

When possible, bring a clean, complete section rather than a small broken fragment. The more of the panel that's available, the easier it can be to compare its physical characteristics with current products.

Check the Back of the Panel

Before throwing away a damaged piece, turn it over and look carefully.

Depending on the product, there may be markings, manufacturing information, codes, or other identifying details on the back of the siding.

Even when those markings don't immediately identify the exact product, they may provide another clue that can help narrow the search.

The Original Color May Not Look Original Anymore

This is one of the biggest challenges with repairing older siding.

The existing siding has been exposed to years of sunlight, temperature changes, dirt, moisture, and weather. A brand-new panel hasn't.

As a result, even if you identify the original manufacturer and exact color name, a new panel may not visually disappear into the existing wall.

Contractors should set that expectation early. A correct product match and a perfect visual color match are not necessarily the same thing.

Compare More Than One Area of the House

Siding doesn't always weather uniformly.

One elevation may receive considerably more direct sunlight than another. Areas protected by porches, roof overhangs, shutters, or other architectural features may retain a color closer to the original finish.

If you're trying to determine the original color, comparing siding from a less-exposed location can sometimes provide a better reference than looking only at the damaged elevation.

Product Lines Change Over Time

Even if a siding system is still performing well, the exact product installed years ago may no longer be manufactured.

Manufacturers introduce new collections, update colors, change profiles, and discontinue older products as the market evolves.

That's one reason having a knowledgeable building materials distributor involved can be valuable. Someone who works with siding products every day may be able to recognize characteristics of an older product or help identify current options worth comparing.

When an ITEL Report Can Help

When the existing product is difficult to identify, contractors and claims professionals may use a third-party material identification service such as ITEL.

An ITEL report can provide additional information about a submitted siding sample and may help identify the material or potential comparable products based on the available analysis.

This can be particularly useful when you're dealing with an older installation, storm-related damage, an insurance claim, or a product that isn't immediately recognizable.

Think of the report as another tool in the identification process. The final repair decision still needs to consider physical compatibility, availability, existing weathering, and the appearance of the replacement material on the home.

Our Sales Counter Team Can Help You Work Through the Match

Before spending hours searching through old catalogs and online photos, bring the project to Suburban Wholesale & Supply.

Our sales counter team works with siding materials every day. Bring us a sample when possible, along with photos and any information you have about the existing installation.

If you already have an ITEL report or other product-identification information, bring that too. The more information we have, the better we can help you look at available products and possible replacement options.

What to Bring to the Counter

A little preparation can make the matching process much more productive.

When you're trying to identify older siding, bring as much of the following as you can:

• A clean, complete siding sample
• Photos of the damaged area
• Photos showing a larger section of the elevation
• Measurements of the panel and exposure
• Any markings or codes found on the material
• Approximate age of the siding
• Manufacturer information, if known
• Original invoices or project records, if available
• An ITEL report, if one has already been completed

You may not have every item on that list. That's okay. Start with what you have and let our team help you work through the possibilities.

Sometimes the Best Color Match Is Already on the House

When new replacement siding is compatible but the color difference is noticeable, there may be another strategy worth discussing with the property owner.

In some situations, an existing panel from a less-visible area can be moved to the highly visible damaged area. The newer replacement material can then be installed in the less-prominent location.

Because the relocated panel has weathered with the rest of the house, it may provide a better visual match where appearance matters most.

Whether this approach is appropriate depends on the condition of the existing siding, the specific installation, and the expectations of the property owner.

Know When You're Chasing a Match That Doesn't Exist

There comes a point when spending more time searching doesn't necessarily produce a better result.

If the original product has been discontinued, the existing siding has weathered significantly, or no compatible replacement can be found, the contractor may need to have a different conversation with the customer.

Depending on the extent of the damage, options might include replacing a larger section or elevation rather than trying to make one new panel disappear into an older wall.

Matching Problems Can Tell You Something About the Siding's Life Cycle

Difficulty finding replacement material can also be a sign that it's time to look at the bigger picture.

If the siding is old enough that products are discontinued, colors have changed significantly, panels are becoming brittle, and repairs are becoming more frequent, the system may be moving into a later stage of its useful life.

At that point, contractors can help customers compare the cost and practicality of continuing individual repairs with the longer-term option of replacement.