If you are replacing the siding on your home in Northeast Ohio or Western Pennsylvania, you have probably heard of two major brands: CertainTeed and Alside.
Both companies make popular vinyl siding. While Alside is a decent option for strict budgets, CertainTeed is the better choice for homeowners who want long-lasting quality and fewer headaches.
Here is a straightforward look at why CertainTeed siding comes out on top.
1. Thickness and Durability The thickness of your siding determines how well it stands up to harsh weather.
CertainTeed: Their top lines, like the Monogram series, are built thicker. This extra thickness means the siding can take a hit from hail, flying branches, and high winds without cracking or denting easily.
Alside: While Alside has some reinforced options, their standard products tend to be thinner. Thinner siding is simply more likely to warp or crack over time.
2. The Real Wood Look You want your new siding to look authentic, not like a sheet of cheap plastic.
CertainTeed: They use a direct transfer system to mold their siding directly from real cedar boards. The result is a woodgrain finish that looks incredibly natural and rich.
Alside: Alside siding looks nice, but the woodgrain pattern tends to look a bit more manufactured. It does not have the exact same realistic, deep texture as CertainTeed.
3. Color Choices and Fading Nothing is worse than siding that looks chalky and faded after just five years in the sun.
CertainTeed: They offer one of the largest color selections in the industry, with over 40 different shades. More importantly, they use advanced color-retention technology so your dark colors actually stay dark for decades.
Alside: Alside has a smaller color palette. They offer good basic colors, but they do not always match the long-term fade resistance of CertainTeed’s premium lines.
4. The Installer’s Choice: A Better Locking System The way the siding panels connect to each other makes a massive difference in how the wall looks and performs.
CertainTeed: Installers vastly prefer CertainTeed because of its heavy-duty locking system (often called CertiLock). The panels actually snap together with a firm, audible click. This rigid lock holds the panels perfectly straight on the wall, completely preventing the wavy, buckling look that plagues a lot of older homes. It also locks tight against high winds.
Alside: Standard Alside panels have a simpler overlap lock. While it holds the siding on the house, it does not offer the same level of rigidity, meaning the panels are much more prone to rattling in the wind or buckling as the temperature changes.
5. Customer Service and Claims Handling When a problem does happen, the way a manufacturer responds is just as important as the product itself.
CertainTeed: In our years of experience, CertainTeed stands out for its responsiveness. If there is a legitimate issue, they are consistently faster and much more willing to step up and help resolve it.
Alside: Like many large manufacturers, navigating their customer service and getting a claim approved can sometimes be a slower, more difficult process with more hoops to jump through.
6. The Manufacturer Warranty
CertainTeed: They offer industry-leading lifetime limited warranties that are highly respected, including specific, strong guarantees against color fading.
Alside: Alside offers lifetime warranties as well, but the fine print regarding fading and long-term wear can be more restrictive depending on the specific product you buy.
The Bottom Line
If your only goal is getting the lowest upfront price, Alside can do the job. But if you want siding that resists impact, holds its color, stays flat on the wall without buckling, and comes from a company that actually answers the phone when you need them, CertainTeed is the clear winner.
At WeatherSeal Home Services Inc., we believe in installing products that actually last. That is why CertainTeed is our top recommendation for a durable, great-looking home.
