Gentek Sequoia Select Double 5" Dutch Lap combines a wider horizontal exposure with the sculpted shadow lines of a Dutch Lap profile. Learn where this premium vinyl siding profile looks best, how it compares with Double 5" Clapboard and narrower Dutch Lap profiles, and how contractors can use scale, color, trim and architectural accents to create a stronger exterior design.
Suburban Wholesale Siding Sales Academy
Sequoia Select Double 5" Dutch Lap: Where Does It Look Best?
Gentek Sequoia Select Double 5" Dutch Lap gives contractors two important exterior-design tools in one profile: a wider horizontal scale and the sculpted shadow character of Dutch Lap.
The 5-inch courses create a broader wall pattern than narrower siding exposures, while the Dutch Lap shape adds more definition than a conventional clapboard face. That combination can be especially effective on larger homes, wide ranches, substantial two-story elevations and houses where the siding itself needs to provide some architectural character.
But Double 5" Dutch Lap should not be selected simply because it looks impressive on a sample rack.
The scale and shadow need to fit the house.
Double 5" Dutch Lap combines wider scale with stronger shadow.
That makes it a powerful profile when the architecture has enough size to carry both.
What Is Double 5" Dutch Lap?
The profile name becomes easier for homeowners to understand when contractors break it into three simple pieces.
DOUBLE
Two horizontal courses are formed into each siding panel.
5"
Each course has an approximately 5-inch exposure, creating a broader horizontal scale than narrower siding profiles.
DUTCH LAP
The sculpted face creates additional horizontal definition and shadow compared with a conventional clapboard profile.
Think of Double 5" Dutch Lap as two design decisions combined: course width and shadow character.
Why Does Double 5" Dutch Lap Look Different?
A siding profile repeats hundreds of times across a house. Small differences in the sample become much larger visual differences once those courses cover an entire elevation.
The wider 5-inch exposure reduces the number of horizontal courses compared with a narrower profile. The Dutch Lap shape then adds a sculpted shadow line to each of those courses.
WIDER
Fewer horizontal courses across the wall.
SCULPTED
More definition within each course.
BOLDER
A broader wall pattern with noticeable shadow character.
Where Does Double 5" Dutch Lap Look Best?
Double 5" Dutch Lap is versatile, but its wider and more sculpted appearance tends to become particularly useful on homes with enough architectural scale to support it.
| Home / Design Situation | Why It Can Work | Design Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Large two-story homes | Wider courses fit larger wall proportions while Dutch Lap adds definition | Keep accents controlled and let the field siding contribute character |
| Wide ranch homes | Reinforces the horizontal architecture with a broader course | Use trim and entry details to organize long elevations |
| Traditional homes | Maintains horizontal siding character with additional shadow | Coordinate windows, corners and roofline |
| Large simple elevations | Profile itself adds interest to otherwise plain walls | Avoid unnecessary extra materials |
| Homes with limited accent siding | Dutch Lap can provide wall texture without changing materials | Let profile, color and trim do more of the design work |
| Updated traditional exteriors | Combines familiar horizontal siding with a stronger profile | Use an updated color palette with restrained accents |
#1 — Larger Two-Story Homes
A large two-story house is one of the first places contractors should consider showing a wider siding profile.
Tall and broad wall areas can contain a tremendous amount of siding. A narrower profile creates more horizontal repetition across that space. Moving to a wider course changes the scale, while Dutch Lap prevents the larger siding field from becoming visually flat.
“Your house has enough scale that I think a wider siding profile is worth comparing. This one also has a Dutch Lap shape, so we get a broader course without losing the shadow and definition across the wall.”
That recommendation connects the sample directly to the architecture.
#2 — Wide Ranch Homes
Ranch homes naturally emphasize horizontal lines. Double 5" Dutch Lap can reinforce that architecture while adding more surface character than a conventional clapboard profile.
Long roofline + wide siding course + Dutch Lap shadow = strong horizontal character.
This can be especially effective when a ranch has long uninterrupted siding areas and relatively few architectural details.
The siding itself can add visual interest without automatically introducing stone, shakes or several different siding profiles.
#3 — Large, Simple Elevations
Some houses have substantial wall area but relatively simple architecture.
That is an ideal situation to ask whether the field siding itself can create enough visual character.
Let the Profile Work
- Wider siding courses
- Visible Dutch Lap shadow
- Intentional main color
- Proportional corners
- Coordinated window trim
Don't Automatically Add
- Stone on every available wall
- Shake in every gable
- Multiple unrelated colors
- Several competing siding profiles
- Decorative elements without architectural purpose
Sometimes the siding profile is the architectural upgrade.
#4 — Traditional Homes That Need More Definition
A homeowner may like traditional horizontal siding but still want the replacement project to look noticeably different from a basic exterior.
Double 5" Dutch Lap can provide that distinction without abandoning the familiar horizontal format.
“You told me you want to keep the house traditional, but you also want the new siding to have more character. That's why I would compare this Dutch Lap profile with the regular clapboard.”
The recommendation now comes from discovery rather than the contractor's desire to push a particular profile.
Double 5" Clapboard vs. Double 5" Dutch Lap
This may be the most useful comparison for homeowners who already prefer a wider horizontal scale.
The course width remains similar. What changes is the character of the face.
Cleaner
Double 5" Clapboard
- Wider horizontal scale
- Traditional clapboard appearance
- Cleaner wall pattern
- Less emphasis on sculpted shadow
- Excellent background for strong trim or masonry
More Sculpted
Double 5" Dutch Lap
- Wider horizontal scale
- Sculpted Dutch Lap appearance
- Stronger shadow character
- More wall definition
- Useful when the field siding should contribute more visual interest
Same general scale. Different personality.
That is much easier for a homeowner to understand than trying to explain profile names from a catalog.
Double 4½" Dutch Lap vs. Double 5" Dutch Lap
If the homeowner already prefers Dutch Lap, the next question may be scale.
| Design Question | Double 4½" Dutch Lap | Double 5" Dutch Lap |
|---|---|---|
| Course scale | Slightly narrower | Wider |
| Horizontal repetition | More frequent | Less frequent |
| Shadow character | Sculpted Dutch Lap | Sculpted Dutch Lap |
| Potential design fit | Medium-scale elevations and traditional detail | Larger-scale elevations and broader wall proportions |
Again, there is no universal winner.
Choose the exposure that looks proportionate on the house—not the one that sounds more premium.
The Best Kitchen-Table Demonstration
A good profile presentation does not require a long technical speech.
Put the Double 5" Clapboard and Double 5" Dutch Lap samples next to each other.
Then ask the homeowner to tell you what they see.
“These are both wider horizontal profiles. Run your hand across each one. What difference do you notice in the shape of the siding?”
Once they identify the stronger contour of the Dutch Lap, explain how that shape repeats across the wall and creates additional shadow.
Then bring out the photograph of their house.
“Now which one do you think fits this elevation better?”
Don't Show the Profile in Isolation
The siding will eventually interact with windows, doors, corners, soffit, fascia, gutters, brick, stone and roofing.
Profile selection should therefore be part of the complete exterior conversation.
Ask:
Should the siding be the focal point or the background?
How much contrast should the windows have?
Should the corners blend or stand out?
Is there existing brick or stone?
What color is the roof?
What happens at the soffit and fascia?
Does the house need an accent material?
Is the Dutch Lap already providing enough texture?
Double 5" Dutch Lap and Window Trim
The stronger horizontal character of Dutch Lap makes the vertical and rectangular lines around windows particularly important.
Instead of treating window finishing as an afterthought, discuss how the openings should interact with the siding.
Blend
Use a quieter trim relationship when the siding profile should provide most of the wall character.
Coordinate
Use complementary trim to define windows without overpowering the siding.
Contrast
Use stronger trim contrast when the architecture supports clearly defined openings.
Don't Forget the Outside Corners
Outside corner posts create vertical lines against the horizontal Dutch Lap courses.
That means corner width and color can noticeably change the final exterior.
“We've chosen a wider siding profile with stronger horizontal shadow. Now let's decide whether you want the corners to quietly blend into that siding or become part of the trim design.”
Do not sell the corner simply because a larger accessory costs more.
Show the homeowner what the corner does to the design.
Does Double 5" Dutch Lap Need Accent Siding?
Not necessarily.
One advantage of a more sculpted field profile is that it can provide enough wall character to reduce the need for additional materials.
Before adding an accent, ask whether the profile already solved the problem.
If the house has a natural gable, porch, entry or other architectural feature that deserves emphasis, Board & Batten, shakes or another appropriate accent may still improve the design.
But accents should have a job.
A gable is a design opportunity—not an automatic upgrade.
Double 5" Dutch Lap With Board & Batten
A wider horizontal Dutch Lap profile can create a strong contrast with vertical Board & Batten when the architecture supports the combination.
MAIN FIELD
Double 5" Dutch Lap
GABLE
Board & Batten where appropriate
TRIM
One coordinated trim direction
ENTRY
Controlled focal point
The horizontal-to-vertical change should correspond to a logical architectural break and be detailed according to current manufacturer and industry installation guidance.
Double 5" Dutch Lap With Brick or Stone
Masonry already contributes texture.
Dutch Lap contributes texture too.
The goal is to make those materials work together rather than compete.
Good Design Questions
- Can the siding color pull from the masonry palette?
- Does the trim connect the two materials?
- Is the masonry already the focal point?
- Does another accent material actually add anything?
Watch For
- Too many competing textures
- Unrelated accent colors
- Stone added beside existing stone or brick without purpose
- Trim colors selected independently from the complete palette
Color Changes How Strongly Dutch Lap Reads
The same siding profile can create different impressions depending on color, natural light, viewing angle and surrounding materials.
Lighter Palette
Can keep the overall exterior bright and traditional while the Dutch Lap profile adds subtle surface definition.
Mid-Tone Palette
Can create a balanced combination of profile visibility, cedargrain texture and coordinated trim.
Deeper Palette
Can give traditional Dutch Lap a stronger updated appearance when the selected color is available and works with the home's fixed materials.
Take the Samples Outside
A sample under kitchen lighting is not the finished house.
Once the homeowner narrows the profile and color choices, compare actual samples outdoors against the materials that will remain.
Compare Against:
Roofing
Brick
Stone
Window frames
Garage doors
Existing trim or exterior materials that remain
Gentek recommends using actual product samples for final color decisions because colors displayed digitally can vary from the physical product.
Use the Gentek Visualizer After the Physical Demonstration
Digital visualization becomes most useful after the homeowner understands what the physical profile looks and feels like.
1
TOUCH
Compare actual siding profiles.
2
VISUALIZE
Apply design concepts to the house.
3
CONFIRM
Return to actual samples for final color.
Don't ask the homeowner to imagine what you can demonstrate.
Use a Photograph From the Walk-Around
Take a straight-on photograph of the main elevation during the exterior inspection.
When you return to the kitchen table, put the photograph beside the siding samples.
“When I look at this wall, you have enough scale that I think the wider Dutch Lap deserves a look. It gives us fewer horizontal courses than a narrower profile, but it still gives the wall noticeable shadow and definition.”
Now the profile recommendation is about their house—not your sample bag.
Don't Sell Dutch Lap as Automatically Better
A Double 5" Clapboard and Double 5" Dutch Lap can serve different aesthetic preferences within a siding presentation.
Better Language
“The Dutch Lap gives this wall more sculpted shadow and definition.”
Avoid
“Dutch Lap is better siding than clapboard.”
Sell the visual difference. Don't invent a performance difference.
Verify the Exact Product Before You Quote It
Profile names can appear across product literature, and specifications, colors, lengths and market availability can change by product configuration.
Before writing Double 5" Dutch Lap into a homeowner proposal, confirm the current Sequoia Select offering with Gentek and your supplier.
Confirm:
- Exact product family
- Exact profile
- Nominal thickness
- Panel length
- Current color availability
- Required accessories
- Current warranty
- Current installation instructions
Don't Assume Every Profile Has the Same Extended-Length Availability
Sequoia Select is available in extended-length configurations, but contractors should never assume every standard profile, color and length combination is duplicated in the extended-length offering.
If reduced overlaps on a long wall are part of your presentation, verify the exact configuration before including it in the proposal.
Sell the product you can actually order—not the product you remember seeing in an old brochure.
Proper Installation Still Matters
A beautiful Dutch Lap profile can only look as good as the wall preparation and installation allow.
Vinyl siding expands and contracts. Current manufacturer and industry guidance addresses wall preparation, panel engagement, fastening, clearances, accessories, openings and other details needed to allow the siding system to function as intended.
The exterior wall's water-management strategy—including appropriate water-resistive barrier and flashing details—must also be handled separately from the visible siding profile.
Dutch Lap is the visible profile.
It is not the water-management system behind the siding.
Proper installation is the baseline—not the premium package.
A 60-Second Double 5" Dutch Lap Presentation
“This is Sequoia Select Double 5" Dutch Lap.”
“There are two things I want you to notice. First, look at the width of the courses. This gives us a broader horizontal scale.”
“Second, run your hand across the face. See the sculpted area? That creates more shadow and definition than the regular clapboard.”
“When we walked around your house, I noticed you have some pretty large wall areas. That's why I wanted you to see this profile.”
“Now let's compare it with the Double 5" Clapboard and the narrower Dutch Lap.”
“Which proportion and wall pattern looks better to you?”
The Three-Sample Dutch Lap Presentation
For contractors selling Sequoia Select, three carefully chosen samples can explain profile selection better than a table full of siding.
Narrower Scale
Double 4½" Dutch Lap
Sculpted character with more frequent horizontal repetition.
Cleaner Wide Scale
Double 5" Clapboard
Broader horizontal scale with a cleaner clapboard appearance.
Wide + Sculpted
Double 5" Dutch Lap
Broader horizontal scale combined with Dutch Lap shadow character.
Three samples. Three clear design directions.
Narrower and sculpted. Wider and clean. Wider and sculpted.
Double 5" Dutch Lap Design Checklist
□ Does the homeowner like visible Dutch Lap shadow lines?
□ Is the house large enough to benefit from a wider profile?
□ Are there broad or tall siding elevations?
□ Has Double 5" Clapboard been shown as a cleaner comparison?
□ Has a narrower Dutch Lap been shown for scale?
□ Does existing masonry already provide significant texture?
□ Should the windows blend, coordinate or contrast?
□ Are the outside corners proportional to the design?
□ Does the soffit and fascia palette coordinate?
□ Does the house actually need an accent profile?
□ Has the final color been compared outdoors?
□ Has exact current product availability been confirmed?
The Double 5" Dutch Lap Design Formula
1
SCALE
Read the size of the house.
2
SHADOW
Decide how much wall character fits.
3
COMPARE
Show alternative profiles.
4
COORDINATE
Build the color and trim palette.
5
CONFIRM
Verify samples and product availability.
Architecture → Scale → Shadow → Color → Detail
That is how a contractor turns a siding profile into an exterior design conversation.
The Bottom Line
Gentek Sequoia Select Double 5" Dutch Lap can be an excellent choice when a home benefits from both a wider horizontal scale and more pronounced siding character.
It deserves particular consideration on larger two-story homes, wide ranches, substantial traditional houses and broad elevations where a narrower profile might create more horizontal repetition than the homeowner wants.
But the best way to sell it is not to tell the homeowner that Double 5" Dutch Lap is better.
Show them what changes.
Double 5" Clapboard gives you wider scale with a cleaner face.
Double 5" Dutch Lap gives you wider scale with more sculpted shadow.
Put both samples in the homeowner's hands. Put their house photograph beside them. Then let the architecture and the homeowner's preferences help determine which profile belongs on the house.
Sell what the profile does for the house—not just what the profile is called.
Compare Sequoia Select Profiles at Suburban Wholesale & Supply
Suburban Wholesale & Supply helps contractors throughout the Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois compare Gentek siding profiles, colors, trim, accessories and complete exterior packages before materials are ordered.
Bring project photos, measurements or your customer into our Davenport showroom and compare the actual siding options. Our team can help contractors review current Sequoia Select profiles, colors, accessory packages, installation considerations and material availability.
Use your distributor before the sale is complete—not only after you need the material.
Suburban Wholesale & Supply
3602 North Harrison Street
Davenport, Iowa 52806
563-391-4000
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