Vinyl leads new home exterior options in the US

Vinyl is the most widely adopted exterior for new US homes in 2014, according to Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and the NAHB. Data shows that 29 percent of single-family homes used vinyl siding, including vinyl-covered aluminum. This was closely followed by stucco and brick or brick veneer at 23 percent and fiber cement at 18 percent.

In terms of census region, vinyl emerged as the top exterior wall material choice in the Middle Atlantic, New England, East and North West Central and South Atlantic divisions. Meanwhile, stucco led in the Pacific and Mountain regions while brick or brick veneer was most popular in East and West South Central divisions.

With vinyl’s dominance in majority of the regions and it remaining a low-cost option, it is forecast to grow and maintain its lead through the next few years. Helping drive growth are manufacturers’ efforts to improve material aesthetics to match design versatility offered by emerging alternatives. Market research firm The Freedonia Group has predicted that the overall US siding market will rise 7.1 percent annually to 103.5 million squares, and will be valued at $12.1 billion in 2018. Vinyl siding is expected to reach 25.8 million squares by the said year.