A Warranty Protects the Product. It Doesn't Build the Product.

A warranty is an important part of any siding purchase, but it describes the manufacturer's obligations under certain conditions. It doesn't tell you everything about how the siding itself is constructed.

When comparing two vinyl siding products, the warranty may look similar while the physical panels are substantially different.

Contractors should evaluate:

• Nominal panel thickness
• Panel rigidity
• Nail-hem construction
• Locking-system design
• Profile and exposure
• Lap height and shadow lines
• Wind-load performance
• Texture and finish
• Manufacturer installation requirements
• Applicable ASTM standards and product certification

Those specifications tell you more about the siding installed on the wall than the length of the warranty alone.

What ASTM D3679 Tells Contractors

ASTM D3679 is the recognized product specification for rigid PVC vinyl siding.

The standard goes well beyond warranty language. It establishes requirements and test methods covering important product characteristics such as dimensions, thickness, shrinkage, impact strength, expansion, appearance, weathering, wind-load resistance, and allowances for thermal movement.

That's important because it reinforces a simple point: vinyl siding performance is determined by measurable product characteristics.

A warranty can provide protection after the sale. ASTM specifications help contractors understand the performance framework the product is expected to meet before it goes on the house.

Where VSI Standards Fit In

The VSI Product Certification Program provides independent third-party verification for certified vinyl siding products.

Vinyl siding certified through the program demonstrates compliance with ASTM D3679. Certification addresses characteristics including weatherability, impact resistance, wind load, expansion and shrinkage, surface distortion, dimensions, and thickness.

This gives contractors another reason to look past warranty marketing and toward actual standards and specifications.

Standards establish the performance baseline. Manufacturer specifications tell you how an individual siding product is constructed within that framework.

Thickness Is One of the Easiest Specifications to Understand

Vinyl siding thickness is measured in fractions of an inch, and the differences can appear small on paper.

Gentek's current siding lineup includes products at multiple nominal thicknesses. Aurora II, for example, is listed at .040", while Gentek Sequoia Select horizontal siding is manufactured at .046" nominal thickness.

That .006" difference represents a 15% increase in nominal thickness compared with a .040" panel.

That doesn't mean a .046" panel is automatically 15% better in every performance category. Thickness is only one part of siding construction.

But it does mean the difference is measurable, physical, and present on every panel installed across the exterior.

Why .046" Thickness Matters on the Wall

One of the biggest benefits of heavier vinyl siding construction is rigidity.

Gentek specifically describes Sequoia Select's heavy-duty .046" thickness as providing increased rigidity for straight, smooth walls.

That matters because siding spans an entire exterior. It has to remain properly engaged, accommodate temperature changes, and maintain a consistent appearance across large wall areas.

Greater rigidity can contribute to the more substantial appearance homeowners often expect from a premium siding system.

Gentek Sequoia Select Is More Than a .046" Panel

Thickness is important, but the real strength of Sequoia Select is that Gentek combines .046" construction with other premium panel features.

Manufacturer specifications identify several important design elements:

• Heavy-duty .046" nominal thickness on horizontal profiles
• Full-roll nailing hem
• Advantage Lock panel connection system
• 3/4" lap height for deeper dimension and shadow lines
• Cedargrain texture with a low-gloss appearance
• Published negative wind-load testing
• Solid-color-through construction

That's why contractors should think of Sequoia Select as a complete siding system rather than simply a thicker version of an entry-level panel.

The Nail Hem Matters Too

The nail hem is where the siding attaches to the wall, so its construction deserves attention.

Gentek equips Sequoia Select with a full-roll nailing hem, which the manufacturer describes as delivering double-strength wall attachment.

Combine that with the heavier .046" panel and the Advantage Lock system, and contractors have several physical features working together to improve panel rigidity and stability.

Those are tangible differences a homeowner can understand. They aren't dependent on reading the fine print of a warranty years later.

Wind Performance Should Be Part of the Conversation

Vinyl siding is an exterior cladding system, so wind performance matters.

Gentek states that Sequoia Select has been tested for negative wind-load resistance under ASTM D5206 and meets or exceeds the applicable industry standard for wind-load performance.

That doesn't mean siding performance depends on the panel alone. Correct fastening, wall preparation, installation details, and following manufacturer instructions remain essential.

But published testing gives contractors something more useful to discuss than simply telling a customer that the product has a long warranty.

Premium Thickness Can Improve the Finished Appearance

Siding is both a performance product and a design product.

Homeowners will see the exterior every day, which means rigidity, profile depth, shadow lines, texture, and consistency across the wall all matter.

Sequoia Select pairs its .046" construction with a full 3/4" lap height designed to create deeper dimension and enhanced shadow lines.

That combination helps explain why premium siding can look noticeably different after installation even when two products may appear similar on a small color sample.

Warranty Still Matters—Just Not by Itself

None of this means contractors should ignore warranty coverage.

Gentek backs Sequoia Select with a lifetime limited, non-prorated, transferable warranty that includes hail protection and lifetime fade coverage, subject to the manufacturer's warranty terms and limitations.

That's meaningful protection.

The difference is that Sequoia Select doesn't rely on the warranty as its entire value proposition. Contractors can point to the .046" thickness, full-roll nail hem, locking system, lap height, manufacturer testing, texture, and other specifications before they ever get to the warranty.

Compare What's Installed, Not Just What's Promised

When two siding proposals both say "lifetime warranty," the homeowner may assume the products are basically equivalent.

That's where contractors can add value by slowing the comparison down.

Put the products side by side and compare:

• Panel thickness
• Rigidity
• Nailing hem
• Lock construction
• Profile depth
• Texture
• Wind-load information
• ASTM compliance
• VSI certification status
• Manufacturer warranty

Now the homeowner is comparing siding systems instead of warranty headlines.

The Solution: Gentek Sequoia Select .046" Vinyl Siding

For contractors looking for a premium vinyl siding option that is easy to explain, Gentek Sequoia Select gives the conversation a strong technical foundation.

Its .046" nominal thickness provides a measurable step up from thinner value-focused panels, while the full-roll nail hem, Advantage Lock system, 3/4" lap height, cedargrain texture, and manufacturer-tested wind performance add to the complete system.

And it still comes with the warranty protection homeowners expect from a premium product.

Instead of choosing between product construction and warranty coverage, Sequoia Select gives contractors a way to offer both.

View Gentek Sequoia Select Ultra-Premium Vinyl Siding

Installation Still Matters

A heavier premium siding panel doesn't eliminate the need for proper installation.

ASTM D3679 specifically calls for siding covered by the standard to be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions for the product being used.

Vinyl siding needs room for normal thermal movement. Fastening, wall preparation, flashing, clearances, panel engagement, and accessories must all be handled correctly.

Premium material performs best when premium material and proper installation work together.