How to Sell Gentek Cedarwood Aluminum Siding

If you introduce Gentek Cedarwood Aluminum by saying, "Here's our aluminum siding," you are probably underselling the product.

Cedarwood deserves a different presentation.

Its strongest sales story begins with appearance. Gentek designed Cedarwood Aluminum to combine aluminum construction with a variegated, wood-inspired exterior that gives contractors another way to offer homeowners the visual character of cedar without simply presenting another solid-color siding panel.

At Suburban Wholesale & Supply, we believe contractors should sell Cedarwood by putting the actual panel in the homeowner's hands, demonstrating what makes it different and then explaining where the product fits compared with conventional aluminum, vinyl, steel and other premium siding options.

Sell the Appearance First

Don't begin the presentation with aluminum.

Begin with Cedarwood's appearance.

Gentek uses its Color Fusion technology to create natural-looking variation across the siding. Instead of presenting a completely uniform solid color, Cedarwood uses blended tones designed to give the exterior greater visual character.

That's the first thing homeowners should see.

Know What You're Selling

Before demonstrating Cedarwood, understand the product well enough to explain its important features without reading from a brochure.

Cedarwood Aluminum features include:

• Aluminum construction
• Double 5-inch clapboard profile
• Two 5-inch exposures per panel
• Extra-deep 1/2-inch butt height
• Woodgrain texture
• Variegated color appearance
• Color Fusion technology
• PVDF/Kynar 500 exterior finish
• Low-maintenance exterior characteristics
• Manufacturer warranty protection subject to the current written warranty

That's a much stronger story than simply saying, "This is aluminum siding."

Demonstrate the Variegated Color

Cedarwood's color variation is one of the product's most important visual features.

Many siding products are designed around a consistent solid color. Cedarwood takes a different approach by using variation to help create a more natural-looking exterior.

A tiny color chip does not demonstrate that very well.

Whenever possible, use:

• A large siding sample
• Multiple pieces placed next to one another
• Completed-project photographs
• Digital visualization tools
• Actual installed Cedarwood projects

The homeowner needs to understand how the color variation works across an entire wall—not just across a small sample.

Explain Color Fusion in Homeowner Language

Don't turn Color Fusion into a technical lecture.

Then stop talking and let the homeowner study the sample.

Show the Cedarwood Colors

Cedarwood Aluminum uses a focused collection of natural-looking variegated colors rather than trying to duplicate the large solid-color palette found in some other siding lines.

Show the available colors using current Gentek samples and verify availability before finalizing the project.

Don't apologize for a focused color collection. The entire point of Cedarwood is to offer a distinctive appearance rather than simply becoming another standard aluminum color choice.

Take the Samples Outside

This matters with any siding color, but it becomes especially important with a variegated finish.

Final color selections should be made using actual product samples because screens and printed materials cannot perfectly reproduce exterior colors.

Show Cedarwood:

• In natural daylight
• Against the home's brick or stone
• Beside the window color
• Near the roof color
• With proposed soffit and fascia
• From several feet away

A variegated siding should be judged as an exterior composition, not just as a countertop sample.

Sell the Double 5-Inch Profile

Cedarwood Aluminum uses a Double 5-inch clapboard profile.

That gives the homeowner two 5-inch exposures per panel and creates a traditional horizontal siding appearance.

Don't simply write "D5" on the proposal and assume the homeowner understands what that means.

Put Cedarwood next to another siding profile and show how the exposure changes the scale and appearance of the wall.

Demonstrate the 1/2-Inch Butt

One of Cedarwood's easiest features to demonstrate is its extra-deep 1/2-inch butt height.

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

Turn the sample sideways.

Let the homeowner look down the panel and physically see the depth.

Explain the Kynar 500 Finish Without Overcomplicating It

Cedarwood Aluminum uses a premium PVDF finish associated with Kynar 500 resin technology.

That's an important differentiator, but most homeowners do not need a coatings chemistry lesson.

Keep the explanation practical:

Don't Make Warranty Claims From Memory

Cedarwood's finish story naturally leads into the warranty discussion.

Use Gentek's current written warranty to explain applicable coverage for the siding and finish, including any specific chalking or color-change provisions.

Don't turn a manufacturer's written warranty into a salesperson's unlimited promise.

Sell Cedarwood Against Natural Cedar Carefully

Cedarwood's appearance naturally invites comparison with real wood.

That's useful, but don't tell the homeowner that aluminum and natural cedar are identical.

They're not.

Instead, explain that Cedarwood is designed to provide a wood-inspired, variegated appearance while retaining the characteristics of an aluminum siding system.

That's a much more credible comparison.

Don't Sell Cedarwood as Ordinary Aluminum

This is probably the biggest sales mistake.

If the homeowner only hears "aluminum siding," they may compare Cedarwood with the aluminum siding they remember from decades ago.

Your job is to replace that mental image with the actual product sitting on the table.

Demonstrate:

1. The variegated appearance.
2. The woodgrain texture.
3. The Double 5-inch exposure.
4. The 1/2-inch butt depth.
5. The shadow line.
6. The PVDF finish.
7. The actual color combinations.

Now the homeowner is evaluating Cedarwood—not their memory of aluminum siding.

Where Does Cedarwood Fit in Good-Better-Best?

Cedarwood can give contractors an interesting premium aluminum position within a broader siding presentation.

But don't automatically label it "better" or "best" simply because it has premium features.

Its position should depend on what the homeowner values and which products you're comparing.

Cedarwood may become especially relevant when the homeowner values:

• A metal siding product
• A wood-inspired appearance
• Variegated color
• Deeper shadow lines
• A traditional clapboard profile
• A premium exterior finish
• A distinctive alternative to standard solid-color siding

Who Is the Ideal Cedarwood Customer?

Look for homeowners who say things such as:

• "I don't want the house to look flat."
• "I like cedar, but I'm considering alternatives."
• "I want something different from regular siding."
• "I'd prefer a metal exterior."
• "I like siding with more color variation."
• "I want more dimension and shadow lines."

Those statements should tell the salesperson to pull out the Cedarwood sample.

A Simple Cedarwood Kitchen-Table Presentation

1. Ask what appearance the homeowner wants.
2. Put Cedarwood on the table without overexplaining it.
3. Ask for their first reaction to the finish.
4. Explain the variegated Color Fusion appearance.
5. Show the woodgrain texture.
6. Demonstrate the Double 5-inch profile.
7. Turn the panel sideways and show the 1/2-inch butt.
8. Explain the aluminum construction.
9. Explain the PVDF finish in simple terms.
10. Take the color samples outside.
11. Show completed-project photographs or visualization.
12. Review the current written warranty.
13. Compare Cedarwood with the other legitimate siding options.
14. Then discuss price.

A Better 60-Second Cedarwood Presentation

Let Cedarwood Earn the Upgrade

Don't tell homeowners Cedarwood is worth more simply because it costs more.

Demonstrate what changes.

Show them:

• The color variation
• The profile
• The deeper butt
• The shadow lines
• The texture
• The premium finish
• The finished appearance on an actual home

Then let the homeowner decide whether those differences are worth the additional investment.

Sell Gentek Cedarwood 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 team as a resource for Gentek siding products, samples, literature, accessories, product knowledge and sales training.

If you're going to offer Cedarwood Aluminum, don't leave the sample in the truck. Learn the story, demonstrate the differences and give the homeowner enough information to decide whether Cedarwood is the right exterior for their home.

Sources & Additional Resources

• Gentek Building Products — Cedarwood Aluminum Siding: Current product information covering profile, Color Fusion technology, finish, colors and product features.
• Gentek Building Products — Cedarwood Aluminum Specifications: Current technical information for Cedarwood Aluminum siding.
• Gentek Building Products — Aluminum Siding Warranty Resources: Current manufacturer warranty information and applicable finish coverage.
• Arkema — Kynar 500: Technical information regarding Kynar 500 PVDF resin technology used in architectural coating applications.
• The Aluminum Association — Building & Construction: Industry information regarding aluminum characteristics and building applications.
• Metal Construction Association: Industry resources regarding metal exterior products, coatings and construction.