Home buyers and sellers pay close attention to the outside appearance of a home, and the curb-appeal of a residence is inextricably tied to the appearance of the exterior walls. Is the color faded? How about damage to the walls? As your grandmother said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression!”
The history of products used for residential and commercial exterior walls has been interesting to observe. Going back to ancient times, stone and manufactured brick were the materials of choice. They lasted for centuries, were excellent for insulation and impervious to fire. Brick and stone are still highly desirable building products for these reasons.
However, in the late 1950s, builders and their customers discovered vinyl. The reasons were both economic and aesthetic. Vinyl siding was cheaper than brick and offered more colors from which to choose. In the 60s and 70s stucco, aluminum, fiber cement and other metal products entered the building discussions. While these artificial siding products remain popular, they have proven to be susceptible to fire damage and require extensive maintenance to correct color fading.
Recent times have seen the choices for sliding increasing even more. Natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes have led to products that can withstand these forces. Plus, recycled materials such as steel offer the advantage of less color fading and sustainability in the building process.
It is in this environment that Quality Edge TruCedar ® steel siding is increasingly being added to “spec sheets” for architects and builders of residential and commercial properties.
What This Means for You — Quality Edge TruCedar steel siding is an excellent option for new home construction. It requires little maintenance, is fade resistant, has good architectural profiles for frameworks for windows and doors and numerous color options.
Quality Edge TruCedar steel siding in one of many breakthrough building products available from Acme Brick. Click here to see more.
If Superman was the “man of steel,” homes and commercial buildings that have Quality Edge TruCedar for exterior walls may not be faster than a speeding bullet but they are the “structures of steel.”
According to Dustin Nash, Purchased Products Manager for Acme Brick, steel offers several super advantages. He notes, “This siding has durability and longevity. Steel siding, particularly Quality Edge’s TruCedar product, is incredibly durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, lasting up to 50 years or more. This is reflected in its product warranty. It has a limited lifetime warranty and a 50-year Warranty for Commercial Projects.
“It needs very little maintenance. Steel siding requires minimal maintenance. It doesn’t need to be repainted as frequently as aluminum siding. Quality Edge also has superior aesthetic appeal. Steel siding can be finished mimicking the look of wood or other materials, offering a high-end appearance. Vesta and TruCedar lines provide beautiful, realistic wood grain finishes.
“There are two factors about this siding that are most important. First, it is fire resistant. Steel siding is non-combustible and provides additional protection against fire. Secondly, it has less environmental impact than other products. Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world, making steel siding an eco-friendly option.”
Quality Edge TruCedar steel siding has been tested and has excelled on two factors that homeowners and commercial building managers have grappled with for centuries. This siding resists fire and fading.
Vinyl siding is melted and warped by intense heat from a neighboring fire at this downtown Atlanta home; Photo credit: kwkirton/ Adobe Stock
Nash explains, “This steel siding has a ‘Class A’ fire and smoke rating and a ‘Class 4’ impact rating. The ‘Class A’ fire rating represents the highest rating achievable, indicating a flame spread of 0-25 and smoke developed between 0-450. The designation of Class A is considered superior fire protection. These materials do not burn and are very unlikely to contribute fuel to a fire. Class 4 impact rating is the highest level of impact resistance.
“This siding uses Kynar paint for its colors and this is a Poly VinyliDene Fluoride (PVDF) paint system. PVDF is the resin component that gives the coating its durability, its appearance, and its performance. PVDF is composed of a carbon-fluorine bond, which is one of the strongest chemical bonds in the known universe. This bond enables the material to be incredibly resistant to breakdown by UV light to prevent color fade and chalking. In addition, PVDF products are durable enough to withstand extreme temperatures and atmospheric pollutants while retaining a vibrant appearance. Our Kynar Paint will withstand the harmful UV rays that break down color pigmentation.
“Finally, in a time when there is concern about importing products made in other countries, Quality Edge TruCedar is proudly made from steel manufactured in the United States,” Nash concluded.
Acme is more than just brick. To get a glimpse of our outstanding improvement products, just click here. To learn more about Quality Edge TruCedar steel siding, click on this link.
