Siding

What's behind our siding Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 30 models in siding to see which ones perform best.
We look for:
  • Overall score
    Overall score for siding is based primarily on resistance to fading, impacts, and wind in our tests. Displayed scores are rounded; products are listed in order of precise overall score.
  • Thick (in.)
    Thickness is as measured by our testers.
  • Fading
    Fading reflects resistance to color changes after accelerated weathering tests using intense heat, UV light, and water spray to mimic typical weathering cycles siding would encounter on an actual home.
  • Cold impacts
    Cold impacts is resistance to damage from blows at 0 degree Fahrenheit.
  • Warm impacts
    Warm impacts is resistance to damage at roughly 70 degree Fahrenheit. Impacts mimic blows from fallen objects and other mishaps.
  • Wind
    Wind is siding's ability to stay attached in lab tests simulating high winds; the best withstood forces equivalent to more than 150 mph.
  • Rigidity
    Rigidity denotes stiffness; stiffer siding should appear flatter and more woodlike on a wall.

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Recommended siding

Recommended siding are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.
If the siding on your home is nearing the end of its life, our test results for dozens of vinyl, plastic, and fiber-cement siding products can help you find a sturdy and attractive replacement that can protect your home for decades. If you're looking for information about siding, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ siding reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our siding buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and siding reviews to help you choose the best siding for your needs.

Siding buying guide


Siding buying guide


If the siding on your home is nearing the end of its life, our test results for dozens of vinyl, plastic, and fiber-cement products can help you to find a sturdy and attractive replacement that can protect your home for decades.

Our tests simulated the punishment that the elements can inflict. We evaluated resistance to cracking from impacts in warm and cold weather, an especially important consideration for active families with children. We simulated 150-mph winds in our lab to see how tenaciously the siding clings, an especially ... Read more

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