Author: WRBP Blog

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2024 Cost vs. Value Report: Exterior Projects Deliver Best Return on Investment

2024 Cost vs. Value Report finds that manufactured stone, like the Versetta Stone shown here, delivers the third-highest return on investment.

Year after year, exterior remodeling projects prove to offer homeowners the best return on investment, and the Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value Report once again affirmed this trend. In fact, the top three projects deliver an ROI as much as twice their cost.

The 37th annual study compares the average costs of 23 remodeling projects with the value those investments will retain at resale. Eight of the top 10 projects delivering the best return were for the home exterior. The top three projects deliver a whopping one-and-a-half to two times their investment: garage door replacement, with 194% cost recovered; steel door replacement, with 188% cost recovered; and manufactured stone veneer, with 153% cost recovered.

Other exterior projects in the top 10 included vinyl siding replacement, (80% ROI) and composite deck addition (68%). The only interior projects in the top 10 were minor kitchen remodel (96%) and mid-range bathroom remodel (74%).

Overall, the remodeling investment return skyrocketed this year. “Compared with last year’s CVV reports, 2024’s has seen a surge in a number of project values, with the average values of the top two projects—the garage door and steel entry door replacements—worth double what they were last year,” the report stated. “These higher values result in ROIs for the top two projects of almost 200%, and an average ROI for the manufactured stone veneer project of over 150%. These ‘hot returns’ are the highest in the history of the Cost vs. Value report and can be attributed to the unique market for existing homes we have in today’s economy with a combination of higher mortgage interest rates and existing homeowners sitting on loads of equity.”

In addition, “a look at yearly trends shows that project costs have increased consistently over the last decade, while perceived values have fluctuated in recent years. This fluctuation has resulted in a fall in the overall ROI as post-pandemic disruptions roiled housing markets,” Remodeling explained. “However, 2024 shows a definitive turnaround with a solid 5.2% increase in averageROI for the 15 CVV projects that have been in the report since its inception in 2002.”

2024 Cost vs. Value Report Shows Manufactured Stone Delivers High ROI Nationally and Regionally

For manufactured stone, the study looked at the cost recouped from replacing a 300-square-foot band of vinyl siding from the bottom third of a home’s street-facing façade with manufactured stone veneer (such as Westlake Royal Building Products’ Versetta Stone, Cultured Stone, and Eldorado Stone) along with sills, corners, and address block as well as a water-resistive barrier. Manufactured stone’s 153% cost recoupment was dramatically higher than last year’s already impressive ROI, increasing 51 percentage points vs. the 2023 study’s 102.3% return.

When the Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value report is broken down geographically, manufactured stone shows ROI ranging from 111% to a whopping 220%. In three regions, manufactured stone performed better than the national average: West South Central (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana), with 220% of costs recouped, the most of any category; Pacific (Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Hawaii), with 204%; and Middle Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), with 159%. (See full regional breakdowns here.)

Vinyl Siding, Composite Decking Also a Smart Investment

In looking at vinyl siding, Remodeling studied the effect of replacing 1,250 square feet of existing siding with new vinyl siding installed to the manufacturer’s specifications, plus factory trim at all openings and corner and a weather resistive barrier underneath.

Along with an 80% return at the national level, vinyl siding recouped even higher costs in four regions: New England (116% ROI), Mid-Atlantic (96%), Pacific (90%), and West South Central (84%).

Housewrap, siding

Composite decking such as Zuri® Premium Decking also stood out in four regions: Pacific (88% cost recouped), New England (83%), Mid-Atlantic (70%), and West North Central (70%). For these projects, Remodeling evaluated the return on a 16×20-foot deck addition with pressure-treated joists supported by 4×4-inch posts anchored to concrete piers, composite deck material in a simple linear pattern, stairs with three steps to grade, and a built-in bench and planter made of the same decking material.

See the full Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value Report study and associated trends at www.costvsvalue.com.

(Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value Report: © 2024 Zonda. Complete data from the Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.)

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6 Fleet Management Software Solutions for Dealers and Distributors

Fleet maintenance software from Fleetio

In an economy where every dollar counts, business efficiency is everything. Fleet management software can help dealers do just that by plotting delivery routes, tracking maintenance, monitoring safety, and more. And thanks to the power of artificial intelligence (AI), offerings are getting more intelligent than ever, helping LBM business owners save time and money.

Here’s a look at some of the options to consider for managing your trucks.

Fleet Management With Route, Load, and Fuel Optimization

Using GPS, traffic data, and other tools, software programs can help dealers plan delivery routes for efficiency while automatically keeping track of hours and other factors. Many offerings are highly automated, taking the guesswork out of planning and helping you stay on top of delivery deadlines.

Trimble Route Management Suite

Trimble Transportation offers a host of fleet management solutions, including a routing and optimization suite: Trimble Dispatch Advisor, Trimble Trip Alert, and Trimble Expert Fuel. Dispatch Advisor automatically matches drivers to loads based on driver location, delivery windows, hours of service, and more. With Trip Alert, you can monitor hours of service, location, arrival time, and driver appointments to optimize routes as well as understand load balance for planning. Expert Fuel uses real-time data to suggest optimal fuel purchase options for drivers, helping to reduce costs.

Verizon Connect Fleet Management

Fleet tracking solutions from Verizon Connect can help distributors improve efficiency by mapping drivers in near-real time, allowing you to keep customers apprised of delivery times, sending alerts upon arriving to or departing delivery locations, and providing turn-by-turn navigation. The software also can monitor driver behaviors and other factors to help improve fuel efficiency as well as track and schedule maintenance.

Verizon Connect
Photo courtesy Verizon Connect

Fleet Management With Safety Devices

Safety monitoring is both proactive (encouraging better behavior and alerting drivers to unsafe habits) and reactive (such as providing evidence in the event of an incident), and telematics and AI tools can help. “A telematics tool like a dash camera can detect a number of things, including hard acceleration, driver drowsiness, speed limit violations, following distance, seatbelt compliance, and traffic light and stop sign violations, to name a few,” GPS Insight told Insurance Thought Leadership. “Each second is analyzed for safety via artificial intelligence to recognize risky driving behaviors—and without any human intervention needed.”

Safety AI Dash Cam from Tenna

TennaCAM 2.0 dash cam from Tenna features dual-facing HD cameras—driver-facing and road-facing—with AI functionality on the interior-facing camera. The camera monitoring and analysis provides managers with data to optimize safety, address risky driving habits, analyze near-misses, and reward better-performing drivers. The cameras pair with the company’s TennaFLEET tracker to provide GPS alerts for hard braking, rapid acceleration, speeding, and other factors as evidence after accidents or other events. The AI technology also can detect risk indicators such as distracted driving, drowsiness, or phone use.

AI Desh Cam by Tenna
Photo courtesy Tenna

360-Degree AI Camera from Motive

Motive says its new AI Omnicam is the first AI-enabled camera to provide side, rear, passenger, and cargo monitoring; it pairs with the company’s AI Dashcam for 360-degree views of the vehicle, its interior, and its surroundings. Together, the cameras provide insights to help companies resolve issues and streamline operations, including real-time visibility into unsafe or problematic conditions, in-cab coaching and other information to alert and educate drivers, and evidence to exonerate drivers. In the event of an accident, footage uploads in seconds and managers are provided with video and telematics data.

AI truck camera by Motive
Photo courtesy Motive

Fleet Maintenance Management

Poorly maintained vehicles can lead to waste—from unexpected downtimes to breakdowns that delay deliveries. Fleet maintenance technology can help track the endless paperwork and schedules while providing automatic alerts for required maintenance so nothing is missed. Some programs also monitor data to help improve fuel efficiency or determine when vehicle replacement is a more economical option.

Fleet Maintenance Software from Fleetio

Fleetio fleet maintenance management software keeps all data about your delivery vehicles—from registration renewal reminders to warranty info to telematics—in one place. It keeps a record of every activity related to each vehicle, including maintenance activities and fuel transactions, while tracking fleet costs and performance. Managers also can manage driver schedules, including assigning trucks and understanding which trucks are being underutilized. An online app allows drivers to view assignments and find vehicle documentation from anywhere.

Fleet maintenance software from Fleetio
Photo courtesy Fleetio

Digital Maintenance Planning Software From Teletrac Navman

As part of Teletrac Navman’s TN360 fleet management software, the computerized maintenance management system digitizes vehicle and equipment maintenance schedules, including connecting to each vehicle’s telematics data to track the odometer and engine hours. Managers can build schedules, view a maintenance dashboard across the entire fleet, keep record of all maintenance events, and save important documents, from invoices to certifications. The same platform also can be used to manage vehicle inspections.

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Tips to Optimize Your Marketing Mix

Marketing mix in construction

Marketing technology is constantly evolving, and with so many channels to work with, it can be hard to know where to start. Adopting a unique marketing mix can help your home services business get more quality leads. Below, our friends at EverCommerce explore strategies to help you get started.

Make Your Marketing Mix Work for You

Your company’s marketing mix is the combination of different marketing technologies that can be used to help your business meet customers wherever they shop for home improvement services.

It’s important to think about how you can use marketing systems together rather than individually. Using complementary marketing tools or platforms allows you to leverage the strengths of different technologies to enhance your overall marketing efforts, ultimately driving better results.

Some channels to incorporate are:

  • Social Media
  • Content Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Email & SMS Marketing
  • Referral Marketing
  • Offline Advertising
  • Customer Reviews & Testimonials
  • Direct Mail

Where to Invest Your Marketing Dollars

Different marketing channels can provide you with unique leads. Investing in a combination of marketing channels helps ensure that you are covering all the bases. There are three main lead categories:

  1. Branded Leads: Branded leads are associated with your brand name, meaning that the potential customer contacted your business directly. These leads can come via a form on your website, directory listings, social media, pay-per-click (PPC), neighborhood marketing, direct mail, or email.
  2. Unbranded Leads: Unbranded leads are usually collected through web forms or calls that are not associated with a specific brand. These are typically available for purchase from lead aggregators or generators.
  3. Active Leads: Active leads often come in the form of referrals, home shows, canvasing, or repeat business. These leads typically have the highest conversion rate.
Mobile Marketing Mix illustration
Image: AdobeStock/bloomicon

Tips to Define Your Marketing Strategy

So what are the best ways to blend marketing channels to target various types of leads? Consider these best practices:

  1. Diversify your marketing mix. Harness different marketing channels, such as social media, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), and more, to tap into a broader audience and reach more qualified prospects. When you embrace multiple touchpoints and various channels in your marketing strategy, you’re more likely to meet your potential customers where they are in their buying journey, leading to better engagement and conversion rates.
  2. Monitor and adjust your metrics. Measure the performance of your marketing efforts so you can make informed decisions. Understanding key metrics like the cost of marketing, lead conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI) allows you to optimize your budget allocation and strategies in the future by deciding what works (and is worth investing future dollars in) and what doesn’t, in turn, leading to better outcomes.  
  3. Choose complementary marketing technologies. Stay up to date with marketing technologies to give your business an edge. There are many complementary marketing technologies, like text-based communication, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, social media automation tools, content management systems (CMS), and lead aggregation software, that you should integrate into your stack. While the term “marketing technologies” might sound daunting (and expensive), plenty of affordable options that can help you achieve your business goals.
  4. Build relationships with your service providers. Collaborate with your marketing and lead service providers. Build transparent and communicative relationships so your partners understand your business goals and objectives. Minimizing the number of partners while maximizing the value they bring can lead to more effective campaigns and streamlined interactions, ultimately benefiting your business’s bottom line.

EverConnect offers a portfolio of performance marketing solutions to help you get qualified leads and meet your growth targets. Our sister company, Socius Marketing, specializes in creating customized digital plans and innovative marketing strategies to connect you with more customers and make you the #1 choice in areas where you serve. As strategic partners of Westlake, EverConnect and Socius are proud to offer members special discounts on our services.

Westlake Royal Pros are eligible for an exclusive discount—receive 50% off your first month’s spend back in your account as credit for future lead purchases, up to a maximum of $1,500.

EverConnect has partnered with Socius to offer Westlake Royal Pros up to $2,500 in credit toward qualified new leads for your home services business when you sign up for Socius Marketing through our Fast Start Program.

Schedule a demo today to take advantage of these exclusive offers!

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8 Hot-Weather Work Gear Options

Hot-weather work gear: Hydration backpacks from Ergodyne

Most jobsites don’t come to a halt in the summer heat, which can be uncomfortable—and even dangerous—for workers. Gearing up to keep cool is crucial. From sweat-wicking clothes to jobsite-rugged fans, here are a few hot-weather work gear items to help beat the heat.

Cooling PVA Towel

Milwaukee Tool’s Cooling PVA Towel activates with water—soak for 30 seconds and wring out—then will wick away moisture and heat for up to four hours. The towel has a UPF 50+ rating to block UV rays. The company also offers similar technology in a safety helmet cooling liner, safety helmet cooling sweat band, hard hat cooling sweat band, and cooling skull cap.

Hot-weather work gear: cooling towel
Photo courtesy: Milwaukee Tool

Summer Work Pants

The T1 Werkpant from Truewerk is made with a lightweight softshell fabric for maximum airflow and float yarns for comfort against the skin; a wicking finish on the inside wicks sweat away four times faster than untreated fabric, the company says. The quick-drying pants include eight pockets, a two-button front closure, articulated knees, and double-stitched seams. Six colors are available.

Photo courtesy: TrueWerk

Jobsite Fan

This jobsite fan operates via a plug or on DeWalt’s 20V MAX battery platform to circulate air and cool the area. The fan has variable-speed control, and it can be used freestanding, on hang hooks, wall-mounted, or tripod-mounted.

Hot-weather work gear: Jobsite fan
Photo courtesy: DeWalt

Hydration Pack

The Chill-Its hydration pack from Ergodyne holds 2 liters of water while offering a low profile that’s comfortable for all-day wear. The durable pack is made with rugged 600D ripstop polyester and features an antimicrobial bite valve with cover, wide opening for easy filling, insulation to keep the water cool, and a breakaway design for safe detachment. Three color options include high-vis orange and high-vis lime as well as black.

Hot-weather work gear: Hydration backpack
Photo courtesy: Ergodyne

UV-Protecting Work Shirt

Carhartt’s Force Sun Defender relaxed fit, lightweight short-sleeve button-down shirt features UPF 50+ UV protection along with Fast Dry technology that wicks away sweat and dries fast. Other features include Rugged Flex stretch technology, Carhartt Force odor-fighting technology, back vent and underarm eyelets, a spread collar, and button-closure front pocket. It comes in Steel and Dew Drop colors.

Photo courtesy: Carhartt

Cooling T-Shirt

The Armachillo Relaxed Fit Pocket Crew T-Shirt from Duluth Trading Company features microscopic jade in the fabric, which produces a cooling sensation that the company says lowers skin temperature, and its polyester/nylon knit wicks moisture and dries quickly. It also has an odor-fighting finish. The shirt has a longer length, and it comes in five colors.

Photo courtesy: Duluth Trading Company

Evaporative Cooling Vest

The PIP EZ-Cool vest from PK Safety is made with HyperKewl, an evaporative material that absorbs and slowly releases water to create a cooling effect for five to 10 hours, cooling the body by 15 to 20 degrees, the company says. The hot-weather work gear vest has a V-neck design and zipper closure. Six sizes are available.

Photo courtesy: PK Safety

Cooling Helmet Liner

When activated, the Cooling Helmet Liner from Klein Tools cools up to 30 degrees below body temperature while wicking sweat away from the head. It has mesh fabric at the crown for breathability and airflow. The liner is machine washable.

Photo courtesy: Klein Tools

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Three New Colors Available for Celect Cellular Composite Siding

Westlake Royal Building Products has added three new colors to the Celect Cellular Composite Siding line: Imperial Red, a robust shade of red; Deep Pewter, a compellingly modern forest green; and Timberland, a rich, natural brown.

Celect Cellular Composite Siding new colors

Celect Siding mimics the natural beauty of wood while offering unparalleled durability, withstanding even the harshest weather conditions. With its patented interlocking system, Celect ensures easy installation while resisting moisture and eliminating seams. Celect Siding also offers design versatility, complementing a variety of home styles with its selection of four profiles, including 7” Clapboard, 7” Shake, Board & Batten, and 11” Board & Batten.

Along with the three new hues, Celect comes in 12 additional contemporary colors, including Oceana, Latte, Wrought Iron, and Castle Stone. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty and 25-year color-protection warranty, all Celect products ensure long-lasting aesthetics, further reinforced by a fade-resistant Kynar Aquatec® coating that eliminates the need for repainting.

Celect has wind resistance of over 210 mph, and there are no worries about delamination, gaps, warping, or buckling. The cellular PVC material resists dirt, seasonal staining, and insects.

Learn more about Celect Cellular Composite Siding here.  

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Annual LBM Dealer Surveys Show Sales Drops, but Optimism for 2024

LBM dealer trends point to optimism amid sales declines

Once again, leading publications within the LBM industry have crunched the data to offer a look at how leading lumber and building material suppliers are faring and what issues matter most to them today. As in years’ past, two LBM dealer surveys—LBM Journal’s LBM 100 and Webb Analytics’ Construction Supply 150—offer not only a ranking of the country’s top dealers but also a pulse on how the entire residential construction industry is trending.

Not surprisingly, this year’s numbers reflected the economic crunch many in construction are feeling. “While 2022 saw nearly all companies in the LBM 100 post sales gains, 2023 data showed the majority of companies in the LBM 100 saw gross sales drop,” LBM Journal editors reported. “While just six companies reported a year-over-year decrease in gross sales revenue in 2022, more than 70 companies reported drops in 2023.”

Craig Webb, owner of Webb Analytics, made similar observations, noting that he had to go back 15 years to find the same number of dealers reporting sales declines as did in 2023. Three-quarters of the 150 LBM dealers and home improvement stores on the Construction Supply 150 reported revenue declines.

However, LBM Journal noted that the sales drops are not necessarily indicative of total gloom and doom and that LBM dealers are on the move. One commenter noted that 2022 performance was bolstered in part by higher prices; many dealers may have sold a similar amount of product in 2023, but at lower prices. High interest rates also played a role, and those are expected to drop some in 2024. Webb also pointed to the role of volatile lumber prices, detailing a roller coaster of price changes for the commodity products over the past three years. 

“While 2023’s ride has been sobering, dealers have emerged safe—and optimistic for the future,” Webb wrote. “On average, CS150 members predicted sales would rise 4.4% this year.” About 70% of Webb’s CS150 are predicting gains in 2024, compared to about 14% expecting declines.

Indeed, dealers certainly haven’t slowed down on making big moves, LBM Journal noted. “Dozens of companies reported expanding operations, making acquisitions and mergers, and celebrating milestone anniversaries in the past year—all signaling investments in the future.”

The majority of dealers on the LBM 100 said they expect to grow in 2024, and 60% of companies said they have plans to expand in the next one to two years—more than had indicated as such in last year’s survey.

TruExterior Trim

Top Trends from the LBM Dealer Surveys

Here’s a look at other trends uncovered in the two LBM Dealer Surveys:

• Hiring woes continue: Labor is still an ongoing hurdle for LBM dealers just as it is for construction companies. Seventy-two percent of LBM 100 dealers indicated that recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees remains a top challenge, roughly equal to last year. Drivers are by far the hardest positions to fill, with 86% of companies indicating such. To combat the issue, many dealers are investing more in their HR teams or outside recruiters, the magazine said, as well as in staff training and development.

• Employment unchanged: Despite the decline in sales, construction suppliers’ overall employment numbers rose a smidge (0.3%, excluding Lowe’s and The Home Depot) in 2023, Webb Analytics reported.

• Manufacturing and installed sales remain a key offering: Almost half of the Construction Supply 150 companies manufacture one or more categories of building materials, with trusses and doors leading the way. Half also offer installed sales.

• Online sales offerings decrease: In the LBM 100, the number of dealers offering online sales dropped from 32% to 30%, though some companies acknowledged that they will need to add these options in the future.

• Rise of the robots? In the LBM Journal survey, one dealer reported using inventory robots to scan for retail outages and pricing, while another is leveraging AI to sell to commodity buyers. The CS150 survey, which includes big box stores, found that nearly 20% of companies are using AI for some part of their operations.

For the company rankings and many more datapoints, view the full LBM Journal 100 here and download the Construction Supply 150 here.

Stay up on the latest industry trends by subscribing to our enewsletter here.

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Inspiration Gallery: Interior Moulding for Every Home Style

From crown to casing to wainscoting, endless options for interior moulding mean architecture and building pros can meet the needs of nearly any project. One of the most important things to consider when narrowing down the options is how interior trim will complement and enhance the home’s overall style and carry it from room to room.

Here are a few examples of how to coordinate trim with popular architectural styles to ensure harmony and cohesiveness.

Craftsman Interior Moulding Styles

The Craftsman home style is often described as “honest,” as in the happy result of a satisfying day of hard work. Therefore, look to simple, tailored, and purposeful door trim and minimally ornamented window casings. Using white, light beige, and cream-colored crown moulding will help create a roomier feel.

Craftsman interior moulding style

Colonial Interior Moulding Styles

Colonial homes combine rustic simplicity and rich detail, with symmetry and confident formality at the forefront. This calls for interior trim that lends a touch of stately courtliness to each room, including multi-piece trim and wider baseboards, wainscoting, and crown moulding.

Colonial moulding style

Cape Cod Interior Moulding Styles

Cape Codes boast a practical, quaintly unassuming design best accented by interior trim that adorns subtly. These might include casings for double-hung windows, picture rails, and frame walls. In the kitchen and dining area, white ceilings and cabinet moulding against soothing grays and warm blues create an inviting and timeless combination.

Cape Cod moulding style

Modern Interior Moulding Styles

Clean and sleek, Modern homes call for similarly crisp and unassuming interior trim, such as unadorned window and door casings, baseboards, or simply using trim to protect walls and floors from scuff marks and handprints. Or, make a neutral-colored room more interesting with a contrasting (but complementary) door, floor, and window trim color, such as light mocha accents over cream-colored walls.

Modern moulding style

Ranch Moulding Styles

Ranch homes are open, informal, and inviting. Trim should help maintain a relaxed feel that flows from room to room or area to area. Ranch style lends versatility, with everything from simple baseboards to more formal window and cabinetry trim in the kitchen, fireplace mantels in the family room, and passageway casings.

Modern Farmhouse Moulding Styles

Humble practicality and clean lines combine for this in-demand traditional-meets-contemporary style. Look to transitional trim options—simple with someedge or flair—as well as shiplap and nickel gap beadboard trim, particularly for kitchens, accent walls, entryways, and mudrooms.

Shiplap for Modern homes

Ready to get started? Explore interior trim options from Royal, Skytrim, and Kleer.

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Cedar Renditions Aluminum Siding Adds Burntwood, Blonde Oak Colors

Cedar Renditions Aluminum Siding in Blonde Oak

Westlake Royal Building Products™ has added two new colors to its Cedar Renditions aluminum siding line: Burntwood, a traditional color offering the look of stained woodgrain look, and Blonde Oak, a premium color featuring multi-tonal woodgrain designs.

“Westlake Royal Building Products is dedicated to providing our customers with a broad portfolio of product options in the latest trending shades, all while ensuring top-notch performance,” said Steve Booz, vice president, marketing, Westlake Royal Building Products. “That’s why we’re excited to introduce two new colors to our award-winning Cedar Renditions™ aluminum siding line.”

Cedar Renditions Burntwood color

Cedar Renditions is a sleek and modern aluminum accent siding, delivering the beauty of stained wood without the maintenance or flammability issues. Available in Siding, Soffit and Trim, it’s the perfect design accent for side walls, porch ceilings or soffits. In addition to exceptional curb appeal, Cedar Renditions offers several benefits, including:

  • Virtually maintenance free
  • Moisture proof
  • Easy to install
  • Non-flammable
  • Panel supports up to 200 mph winds
  • PVDF paint technology in woodgrains for exceptional fade resistance and durability
  • Vertical siding alternative to complement a façade’s design
Cedar Renditions Aluminum Siding in Blonde Oak

Crafted from highly durable and recyclable aluminum, Cedar Renditions is rust-resistant, water-resistant, impervious to cold, and insect-proof, ensuring a long life expectancy. Supported by a 25-year Prorated Limited Warranty, it is available for purchase through designated distributors spanning the United States and Canada.

For more information, visit https://royalbuildingproducts.com/cedarrenditions. For warranty details, please see here. The warranty found there is the sole warranty applicable to Cedar Renditions products.

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Traditional Design Meets Modern Materials for Massachusetts Tudor Home

Sweeping rooflines on Massachusetts Tudor home

From a distance, NS Builders’ recent new-construction home in Needham, Mass., is stunning in its beauty and traditional New England appeal. Taking a closer look, the results only get better as the numerous unique features of the Tudor home reveal themselves, showcasing the builder’s keen attention to detail and commitment to authenticity.

Nick Schiffer’s clients came to him with a request for a traditional home, one that held true to American architecture. Schiffer worked with Tiek Design Group, which designed a beautiful 7,800-square-foot Tudor-style home featuring quintessential gables, curved roofs of varying pitches, and a multitextured façade of reclaimed brick, wood-look siding, custom shutters, and composite roofing offering a nod to the region’s history while meeting the performance realities of today.

Brick, Siding, and Shutters Deliver Texture, Authenticity

Across the façade, two primary materials interplay to bring a cohesive, eye-catching look. The home’s two primary gables frame the entry in beautiful antiqued brick reclaimed from a train station in New Hampshire; the brick continues through the entry stairs and walkway retaining wall.

The remainder of the façade features TruExterior® poly-ash siding. The 8-inch planks, crafted by DURATION Moulding & Millwork, were installed vertically with precise 1/8-inch spacing for a true nickel gap appearance. Made with a proprietary blend of fly ash and polymers, TruExterior siding offers the look of real wood alongside low maintenance, high performance, and resistance to moisture, warping, and insects.

“We’ve had experience with TruExterior and DURATION in the past and chose it for its durability, longevity, paintability, and workability,” Schiffer says. “We wanted a product we could put up and know we weren’t going to have long-term maintenance issues.”

The siding was installed over a synthetic rainscreen with a gap at the bottom to ensure trapped moisture can escape the wall system.

TruExterior Siding and reclaimed brick on a Massachusetts Tudor home

The dark taupe of the TruExterior siding offers the perfect backdrop to the deep brown shutters and window frames. The Atlantic Premium Shutters® feature a V-groove flat panel style, lending an elegant, historic look. Authentic hinge hardware and shutter stays provide both authenticity and operability. Schiffer also added spring-loaded catches for extra security. As part of Atlantic’s custom color program, the shutters were painted to the customer’s specs to match the Benjamin Moore “Black Bean Soup” paint color on the home’s garage doors.

“When we came across Atlantic Shutters, we knew they could nail the details and work with us to customize them and provide us with a high-quality shutter,” Schiffer recalls.

Each shutter was crafted for the window sizes, ensuring proper coverage both physically when closed and visually when opened.

Atlantic Premium Shutters on Massachusetts Tudor Home

Other authentic details include a dramatic walnut entry door, robust window trim, and half-round gutters color-matched to the trim. The gutters lead to a standalone drainage system that collects into a single catch basin to recharge the groundwater.

Shutter hardware

Slate-Look Roof Tops Off Historic Aesthetic to Tudor Home

Perhaps the most prominent element lending this home its Tudor look are its rooflines, most notably the matching steeply pitched gables that define the front façade. Each asymmetric gable combines a straight pitch to the inside and gentle swooping curve to the outside, a feature repeated in several other areas of the house for a quintessential estate feel.

In its early stages, the design called for a cedar roof, but the high costs led Schiffer to consider other options. His team built a mockup to test materials, eventually landing on DaVinci® Roofscapes Multi-Width Slate Shingles. The synthetic material offers the look of slate in a lighter weight and boasting Class 4 impact resistance, a Class A fire rating, and a 110-mph wind rating.

“The nice part about it is that the multi-width is available in 6-, 7-, 9, 10-, and 12-inch widths, so when you’re installing it you get that randomized pattern, which I believe gives it that authentic look,” Schiffer says. “We had people stop by and look at it from the street and ask if it was slate.”

Sweeping rooflines on Massachusetts Tudor home

Schiffer says the DaVinci roofing offered a more cost-effective option versus real slate; using real slate also may have required reengineering the roof to support its weight. In addition, the product’s malleability made it easier to install on the curved portions of the roof, and matching ridge caps accommodated the pitches easily.

Though not required by DaVinci, NS Builders installed ice and water shield under the roofing to allow contractors from Boston Exterior Remodeling to take their time installing the vast roof without worrying about the sheathing being exposed; it also allowed interior finishing crews to start their jobs sooner.  

NS Builders Connects With Manufacturers for Support

Throughout the process, Schiffer found a strong support system from Atlantic Premium Shutters, DaVinci Roofscapes, and TruExterior, all of which are part of the Westlake Royal Building Products™ portfolio of brands.

“They made it easy to work through what we needed in terms of technical details, provided samples when necessary, and had an overall willingness to work with us,” the builder says.

NS Builders completed the home in late 2023, just in time for the family to enjoy a cozy New England Christmas.

To see footage of the home and detailed walk-throughs of the exterior construction techniques, catch up with NS Builders on Instagram and check out their videos:

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Maximizing Energy & Style: Exploring the Benefits of Insulated Vinyl Siding

Not all vinyl siding is created equal. Depending on material, technology, manufacturing processes, and other factors, vinyl siding comes in a range options and price points that vary in both performance and aesthetics. Among those options is insulated vinyl siding, which, just as it sounds, is vinyl siding with a foam backing that can help enhance both the appearance and the thermal insulation value of the home.

What’s Unique About Insulated Vinyl Siding?

The insulation board on the back of CraneBoard® Solid Core Siding® from Westlake Royal Building Products™ is just 1-1/8-inch inch thick, but it packs quite a benefit punch.

High-End Aesthetics

You can notice the difference from the curb: Because the insulation backing provides for a more robust, stiff panel, CraneBoard comes in wide, architecturally correct 6-inch and 7-inch panels for a truly authentic cedar look and in 12-foot and 16-foot lengths for fewer seams. The rigid panel helps straighten walls for a clean, smooth finished appearance.

Along with the wider profiles, CraneBoard also is available in Quad 4.5-inch Dutchlap and Board & Batten styles to meet any design aesthetic.

CraneBoard Solid Core insulated vinyl siding

Improved Thermal Performance

Insulated vinyl siding wraps the home’s exterior in a layer of continuous insulation, helping to reduce what’s called “thermal bridging.” This phenomenon occurs when heat and energy escape the house through the pathway of the house framing, which, unlike a wall cavity, is not insulated. By collectively covering those framing studs with foam insulation, insulated vinyl siding helps dramatically reduce heat loss.

You can see how this works in this side-by-side comparison using a thermal imaging camera. On the left is a house without insulated vinyl siding. The yellow area shows how heat transfers through the studs. On the right is the same house with CraneBoard siding; CraneBoard, shown in blue, cuts down on the energy lost through the studs of the home’s walls.

Thermal bridging of regular siding vs. insulated siding

As a result, CraneBoard Solid Core Siding offers significantly more insulating power than fiber cement, wood, engineered wood, or brick.

Noise Reduction

The foam insulation backing on CraneBoard also helps reduce the transmission of external noise, contributing to a quieter interior.

Moisture Management

CraneBoard Solid Core Siding is the only insulated siding with the Smart Track™ system with moisture management ridges, which helps water that may be behind the siding (due to wind-driven rain or through vapor coming through the wall assembly) to escape.

CraneBoard Insulated Vinyl Siding Offers Color That Lasts

Along with the added value the insulation brings, CraneBoard Solid Core Siding offers a range of additional benefits that contribute to longevity in form and function.

Unlike wood, engineered wood, and fiber cement, CraneBoard siding doesn’t require periodic caulking or repainting. It features Chromatix® technology color protection to help

effortlessly maintain the original look. In fact, the use of Chromatix technology enables Westlake Royal to warranty fade to as low as 4 Hunter Units (a common measure of color difference). (Read more about this here.)

So whether your customers are seeking the richness of Lighthouse Red, the brilliant blue of Indigo, or the cozy appeal of Greystone, they can count on color the lasts, siding that is easy to maintain, curb appeal the endures—and the added power of insulation.

Learn more about CraneBoard here.

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Celebrate National Home Remodeling Month With Resources and Tools

National Home Remodeling Month before-and-after banner

May brings sunny skies and warmer temps—and the NAHB’s National Home Remodeling Month. This annual celebration recognizes remodelers and the remodeling industry with resource, tools, spotlights, and discussions. Westlake Royal Building Products™ is proud to sponsor this important event for the third consecutive year.

Throughout the month, remodelers can access an exclusive tool kit with marketing tools and social media templates to craft top-notch local media campaigns along with the latest industry news to help you stay ahead of market trends. NAHB also will be hosting two Shop Talk discussions May 9 and May 23 and a webinar on May 18. These sessions will include conversations with industry experts aimed at assisting professionals in developing strategic marketing plans for their remodeling businesses in addition to helping them understand how leveraging social media can expand a company’s reach.

And be sure to follow along on social media, using the hashtag #NAHBRemodelers, to share your own insights and read commentary and tips from peers and other experts.

National Home Remodeling Month graphic

Westlake Royal Building Products™ is the title sponsor of National Home Remodeling Month.

“We’re excited to continue our support of the remodeling industry by sponsoring this initiative for the third year in a row. Remodeling is more than just a project; it’s a pathway to happiness for homeowners looking to transform their living spaces without the stress of moving. It’s about creating more room for cherished memories, enhancing energy efficiency for a greener future and ultimately, increasing the value of one’s home,” said Steve Booz, vice president, marketing & product management at Westlake Royal Building Products. “We’re thrilled to be part of this journey and to support NAHB’s members in their dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction.”

To get started and access tools and events, visit NAHB’s National Home Remodeling Month landing page.

Stay up on industry events and resources by subscribing to our enewsletter here.

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Mid-America™ Adds Four New Dark Colors to Vinyl Shutters Line

New color options for Mid-America vinyl shutters: French Roast, Storm Cloud, Treated Cedar, and Platinum.

Westlake Royal Building Products™ has added new on-trend colors to its Mid-America™ vinyl shutters line. The four dark colors—French Roast, Storm Cloud, Treated Cedar, and Platinum—complement current trends in siding colors. They’re ideally suited for styles across the Mid-America vinyl shutters line, including open louver, raised panel, Board-N-Batten, and louver/panel combo shutters.

“Shutters give homes a distinctive appearance, elevating their curb appeal and charm through accurate architectural designs and vibrant colors. Beyond simply complementing windows, they contribute an additional layer of beauty and vibrancy to a home’s overall aesthetic,” said Steve Booz, vice president of marketing for Westlake Royal Building Products. “We’re proud to expand Mid-America’s comprehensive selection of shutters through the addition of four new colors that cater to the rising demand for darker accessories.”

Mid-America vinyl shutters in the new French Roast hue
Mid-America shutters in new French Roast

Vinyl Shutters Provide Aesthetics, Low Maintenance

Mid-America vinyl shutters come in a diverse range of colors, sizes, and styles, making it effortless for pros and homeowners alike to find the perfect accents to complement any home. The shutters are visually appealing and low maintenance, and they’re easy to install, equipped with hardware suitable for any siding system or home exterior, including vinyl, poly-ash, fiber cement, wood, brick, stucco, and stone.

All Mid-America exterior vinyl shutters feature SolidThru™ Colors. This ensures enduring vibrancy and guarantees that even in the event of scratches or impacts, the chosen color remains unchanged.

Mid-America shutters in new Platinum
Mid-America shutters in new Platinum

With the addition of the four new hues, Mid-America offers 14 total colors, including Black, White, Clay, Midnight Blue, Forest Green, and Wineberry. A paintable version also is available.

For more information about Mid-America siding accessories, including shutters, trim, gable vents, and mount blocks, visit https://midamericacomponents.com.

Be among the first to learn about Westlake Royal’s latest product introductions by subscribing to our enewsletter here.

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What Home Buyers Want the Most

Pergola Kleer Lumber

What features are most in demand from new-home buyers? NAHB sought the answers in its latest “What Home Buyers Want” report. Among the top and/or fastest-growing in-demand features were laundry rooms, patios, and home security.

The Top Features Home Buyers Want

In the What Home Buyers Want study, buyers were given a list of more than 200 home and community features and asked to rate them as “essential,” “desirable,” “indifferent,” or “do not want.”

According to Eye on Housing, of all the features in the study, there were 13 that ranked “essential” by at least 80% of respondents:

  1. Patio (86%)
  2. Laundry room (86%)
  3. Energy Star-rated windows (83%)
  4. Exterior lighting (82%)
  5. Ceiling fan (81%)
  6. Garage storage (81%)
  7. Front porch (81%)
  8. Hardwood (81%)
  9. Full bath on main level (80%)
  10. Energy Star appliances (80%)
  11. Walk-in pantry (80%)
  12. Landscaping (80%)
  13. Table space in kitchen (80%)
Laundry rooms are a top feature in the What Home Buyers Want report.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock

In addition, there were a handful of features that made tremendous gains in popularity over the past decade. All were in the area of technology, including security cameras (climbing 36 percentage points in 12 years), wired home security systems (35 percentage points), and programmable thermostats (31 percentage points). 

What Homebuyers Want in Exteriors

When it comes to exterior design styles, Eye on Housing found no national consensus in the study. “At best, a plurality of 34% would prefer to purchase a ‘traditional’ home (rooted in historic styles), while a smaller 26% would rather buy a ‘contemporary’ home (clean lines, sloped roofs, expansive windows),” Rose Quint reported. “Far smaller shares of 17% and 12% of buyers, respectively, would choose a ‘modern’ home (bold, boxy, flat roofs) or a ‘transitional’ home (contemporary design with traditional cues).

Delving further into in-demand exterior features, consider the results of AIA’s quarterly Home Design Trends survey. In its Q4 2023 edition, examining Neighborhood and Community Design, the survey reported that “low maintenance/durability” continue to be the most popular feature, with 59% of architects reporting increasing interest. Unlike the NAHB study, the AIA survey found contemporary styling to be most common, with 51% of architects reporting increasing interest, down just 1 percentage point from 2022.

To learn more about what’s in demand, the full “What Homebuyers Want” report is available for purchase here.

Stay up on all the latest trends and industry insights by subscribing to our enewsletter.

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“Family to the Rescue” Remodel Improves Homeowner Accessibility

Front of family to the Rescue house featuring Foundry siding and Royal trim

On April 6, Dina saw her newly renovated home for the first time. The joyful reveal was the culmination of months of hard work by volunteers, product donors, and Rescuing Families, a nonprofit organization that specializes in remodeling the homes of people with physical limitations. The donation and installation will be featured on the docuseries “Family to the Rescue” on PBS.

Updates Bring Safe, Modern Improvements

The home, located in Franklin Square, New York, was renovated to improve accessibility and safety for Dina. Dina and her father have lived in the home for nine years.  

Front of family to the Rescue house, featuring Foundry siding and Royal trim

The bungalow’s new exterior exudes a cozy coastal vibe with cedar-look shingles, crisp white trim, and elegant flower boxes. Working closely with its distributor partner New Castle Ronkonkoma in Long Island, Westlake Royal Building Products™ donated Foundry 7″ Split Shake siding in the color Golden Straw, as well as rabbeted white Royal PVC corners, starter strip, historic window trim sill, and trimboard. Westlake Royal team members were also on site to assist with the installation.

“From our work as contractors and our experience as caretakers, we have seen that often when a person is suffering from an illness, mental or physical disability or even aging, their home becomes an unsafe environment for a multitude of reasons. We see individuals not being able to thrive in their homes anymore, and even get to the point of becoming fearful of their own homes,” said Gina Cantone-Centauro, co-founder of Rescuing Families. “With the help of our partners like Westlake Royal, and the community, we are able to work on projects that affect the overall quality of life of our community’s most vulnerable.

The front of the home is more welcoming, with a larger porch and beautiful windows.

Rear of family to the Rescue house, featuring Foundry siding and Royal trim.

The interior was gutted to the studs. The finished project included new drywall and paint; new flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and heating; and a new, modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, and a beautiful tile backsplash in Dina’s favorite color, blue. Dina’s sister Gina cleaned and repaired stained glass piece in the kitchen window, which had been beloved by their mother. An old chimney discovered during demo was updated with manufactured stone.

Remodeled kitchen

Family to the Rescue Improves Lives

“Family to the Rescue” follows Rescuing Families on its quest to improve the lives of people with disabilities. There are more than 50 million disabled individuals in the United States who need access to unique home construction and specialized design. Through a completely new approach to home design, they transform the lives of families who feel forgotten, and raise awareness of solutions that are available for them.

“We are humbled and honored to donate Foundry siding and trim to the well-deserving family and contractors working with Rescuing Families,” said Steve Booz, vice president, marketing, Westlake Royal Building Products. “Making homes safe and accessible for people with disabilities is incredibly important to us, and we feel confident that our products will be low maintenance and durable, ensuring that these families do not need to worry about upkeep or renovations after installation.”

Remodeled bathroom

“The products that we work with are extremely important to the overall outcome of our renovations, and we are so thankful to Westlake Royal for their generous donation of top-quality siding and trim,” said Vinny Centauro, co-founder of Rescuing Families. “We always want to make sure that the products we use are low maintenance and long lasting, so the last thing the families need to worry about is upkeep. We want to give our families absolutely zero work while also making the home accessible to their specific needs.”

See the home’s transformation by following #ProjectDina on Instagram.

Want to see more projects? Be sure to subscribe to our monthly enewsletter.

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1930s Virginia Farmhouse Undergoes Sustainable Renovation

A sustainable renovation transformed this farmhouse in Virginia

Though the Avondale Farmhouse of today is brimming with modern features, its story goes back more than four generations. The home and farm surrounding it have been passed down through Donna Browning’s family since the late 19th century, transforming many times over the years with the changes of life and time. Most recently, the farmhouse underwent a sustainable renovation that enhanced its efficiency, upkeep, and durability.

The story begins with Donna Browning’s great-grandfather, who acquired the first two-over-two home on 252 acres near Rice, Virginia, in the late 1800s. After that original house burned down in 1930, Donna’s grandfather elected to move his family into the village, but he kept running the farm, and in 1935 built a story-and-a-half house there for his foreman. In 1975, Donna’s father, James, and her husband, Bob, gutted the foreman’s house and added a family room, rear porch, and additional bathroom. James and his wife, Hilda, lived in the home until 2011.

After that, Bob Browning, who has a degree in architecture from Virginia Tech and spent his career in construction, began drawing up plans to renovate the house again, eventually adding an additional bedroom, two bathrooms, an office, and a larger family room. After this final renovation was completed in 2022, the farmhouse now boasts around 3,000 square feet with five bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

The farm itself also transitioned over the years, originally harvesting tobacco, and later adding a dairy operation. Today, the land is leased to a neighboring farmer for hay and beef cattle.

A Durable, Sustainable Renovation

More space for modern living wasn’t the only goal Browning had in mind for the remodel. He also wanted it to be as green as possible. The original construction and additions comply with the certification standards of the Viridiant program. Formerly EarthCraft, Viridiant is a regional green building program focused on using building science to make homes more affordable, durable, livable, and serviceable. Also, he updated all assemblies and systems to LEED for Homes standards.

Among the features Browning implemented into the sustainable renovation were new low-E double-pane windows, TruExterior poly-ash siding, and metal roofing. He replaced the 1970s-era batt insulation with blown-in cavity insulation plus nail-base insulated sheathing to reduce air infiltration and to increase the R-value while eliminating thermal breaks. He upgraded the HVAC system to an 18-SEER two-stage compressor with multi-positional variable-speed air handler; enclosed the crawlspace; converted appliances, including two fireplaces, to propane; and repurposed existing hardwood flooring; among a host of other upgrades.

Browning’s sustainability goals were so successful that he won Viridiant’s “Single-Family Project of the Year” award in 2023.

Sustainable renovation includes converting wood-burning fireplaces to propane.
The walnut mantels above the propane stove and fireplace—converted from wood-burning units—were handcrafted by the third-generation owner from a tree on the property.

Sustainable Siding

Among Browning’s planning was “an extensive search for a siding material that was sustainable, is easy to maintain, and would require minimal repainting over time” he recalls. “I looked for a while then discovered TruExterior Siding and Trim.”

TruExterior Siding & Trim® from Westlake Royal Building Products™ is made with poly-ash, a blend of fly ash (a byproduct from coal-fired power plants that otherwise would be sent to the landfill) and polymers, for 70% recycled content. What’s more, it’s durable: It is resistant to rot, decay, and bugs; is ideal for areas with high humidity and rain; is suitable for ground contact applications; and is dimensionally stable for long-lasting paint adhesion. Along with TruExterior Siding, Browning used TruExterior for all of the trim, including fascia, frieze, window casing, and corner boards. He used channel trim made with TruExterior to eliminate the need for caulk that would eventually harden, crack, and fall out. 

“It’s all about attention to detail,” Browning said, noting that he kept on top of his contractors to ensure they installed all of the siding and trim properly in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines. “We installed and painted it in 2018, and it’s still clean and fresh today. When shown to guests, they are quite impressed with how well the paint has held up.”

Hand-painted switchplates were a personal touch for this sustainable renovation.
Switchplates, hand-painted by Lee Moffett, show the original Browning family homeplace in Broad Run, Virginia. Another cover portrays the Greystone Service Station with attached house and snack bar where Bob grew up in Warrenton, Virginia.

A Labor of Love

The story of the Avondale Farmhouse sustainable renovation is about both the family that runs the farm—it’s being passed on to its fifth generation, Donna and Bob Browning’s children—as well as the house and its many layers. Among the modern updates are a host of decades-old details that will never go out of style, including solid-walnut fireplace mantels handcrafted by Donna’s father, electrical switchplates hand-painted by family friend Lee Moffett with scenes from the Fauquier County, Virginia, countryside where Bob grew up, antique furniture from both the Browning and Mahan families, and heart pine flooring made from trees harvested from the land.

As Browning notes, “Every piece of this home has a story to tell.”

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Best Practices for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

Pergola Kleer Lumber

The right trim can bolster a home’s curb appeal or transform the style of an interior room. And with so many options available, professionals aren’t restricted to just wood trim any longer. PVC trim is highly workable, so milling cellular PVC trim provides tremendous flexibility for designs.

Benefits of PVC Trim

PVC trim like Westlake Royal® Trim, Skytrim®, and Kleer® offer the look of wood but with a number of advantages. PVC trim absorbs very little moisture; as such, it is resistant to rot, mold, and insects; it can be used in ground- and masonry-contact applications; and it doesn’t require paint or stain for weather protection. These same attributes also make PVC trim suitable for high-moisture interior areas such as a bathroom or a baseboard that can be exposed to water.

With a smooth and woodgrain options along with the capabilities to be heat-bent, milled, and routed, it’s easy to elevate a home’s curb appeal with the ideal finish.

Milling cellular PVC resulted in this beautiful church detail
Royal Trim

Best Practices for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

Contractors can mill cellular PVC trim using traditional woodworking machinery and tools. For more intricate designs, a CNC machine may be needed.

Consider these best practices to get the most out of your PVC trim:

Safety first.

When using milling and cutting tools, always follow the manufacturer’s safety requirements and instructions.

Start milling cellular PVC trim with lower RPMs and work your way up.

Because the feel for milling cellular PVC is different from standard wood, professionals may need to adjust the speed slowly to find their comfort zone.

Use the chip load calculator.

Some machinery comes with preinstalled chip load calculators. If one is available, it can help to determine feed rate more easily.

Keep bits and cutter heads sharp.

High speed steel is good for milling, but carbide is even better. If diamond-coated is available, however, it should be the choice of anyone milling cellular PVC.

Don’t cut cold PVC.

PVC trim expands and contracts lengthwise with temperature changes. This means it could be cut to the wrong size if milled while cold. Store the product at room temperature prior to milling in wintry conditions.

Use the right tool for each type of cut.

Not every tool is equal when it comes to milling cellular PVC trim. Typical woodworking machinery, blades, and bits are ideal for PVC milling, but each type of tool has its own use. A 10” or 12” miter saw blade is perfect for finishing end-cuts and miter joints rather than cutting decorative shapes—that’s where a 10-TPI jig saw needs to come in. Be sure to use the right tool for each task rather than one tool to cover everything.

Sand and seal after milling cellular PVC trim.

Sand exposed surfaces with 320-grit sandpaper and wipe them down with acetone to seal the cell structure. Be sure to follow any manufacturer safety guidelines.

Manage static.

Saw dust from cellular PVC has more static buildup than wood, which isn’t an issue for small jobs; however, larger milling jobs will require sawing or routing profiles to be covered lightly in static guard or anti-static spray. They may occasionally need to be resprayed, depending on the length of the job.

Find the Right Options for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

The right trim can make all the difference for your milling experience. Browse Westlake Royal’s selection of PVC trim to find an easy-to-work-with solution for any project.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to picking the right trim? Check out our exterior trim inspiration.

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4 Industry Insights from LBM Journal’s Trim Trends Report

Achieve trim trends with Skytrim PVC trim

Despite ongoing volatility in the housing market, the trim market is going strong, with the power to elevate home exteriors for homeowners looking to elevate their space or prepare it for sale. LBM Journal took a look at the latest Trim Trends in its annual In Depth feature on trim. Here is some of what they found.

Trim Trends Upward

While there may be uncertainty about how economic recovery will chart this year, trim offers an upgrade that makes sense for many homeowners.

“There are several factors that could potentially support remodeling and repair spending, including record levels of home equity and the significant amount of people still working from home,” Steve Booz, vice president of marketing for Westlake Royal Building Products, told LBM Journal. “During this time, we foresee smaller projects and those with high return on investment being prioritized. Even with constraints in time or budget, there are still impactful projects that can enhance a home’s ROI. With creativity and effort, these ideas offer an accessible means to updating a home.”

Booz noted that adding trim and mouldings is an easy, affordable way to add unique architectural details. “In 2024, we expect a growing demand for classical architectural elements, such as trim, mouldings and columns, due to the increasing construction of single-family homes,” he said. “New homes often incorporate these details to enhance their upscale appearance and overall market appeal.” Along with being an approachable project, adding trim can help elevate the marketability of a home in a time when higher interest rates have slowed existing home sales.

Royal Trim Knock Down Column Wraps
Royal Trim Knock-Down Column Wraps

Supply Chain Improvements

Helping the cause is an easing of the supply woes that dealers and contractors have encountered over the past few years.

“In 2023, there were notable improvements in supply chains within the building products industry,” Booz noted. “Looking ahead to 2024, there is optimism that supply chains and material prices will further normalize.”

He added: “Barring any unforeseen upstream issues, most Westlake Royal Building Products trim and mouldings products are back to normal lead times. We are also happy to say that we have begun to re-introduce products that had been furloughed as well as launching new products to the market, particularly in our siding and trim businesses.”

These introductions include Royal® WoodTone Styles, beadboard trim with a warm woodgrain finish, and Royal® Knock Down Column Wraps, offering easy installation for an instant upgrade.

Color Leads Trim Trends

While neutrals will never go out of style, trim manufacturers say those colors are getting warmer. Bolder colors also are catching on.

“In 2024, timeless off-white and cream hues will continue to dominate home exteriors, providing versatility and a modern aesthetic that complements diverse architectural styles,” Booz said. “Light grays, browns, and bolder blues will also emerge as popular choices for a fresh and contemporary look.”

For customers looking for darker trim, check out TruExterior Siding & Trim®, a poly-ash product that can be painted any color, including black.

WoodTone Styles on porch ceiling
Royal Trim Woodtone Styles beadboard trim

Product Knowledge Is Key When Navigating Trim Trends

Trim manufacturers agree that dealers must be consultants for their pro customers, LBM Journal reported, especially amid ongoing labor shortages. Dealers should leverage manufacturer-provided training opportunities to ensure they’re up to speed on product features and installation best practices. Also, be sure to check out the many online design tools that can help pros and homeowners visualize how different products will look on the home. Westlake Royal Building Products, for example, offers the HomePlay and Virtual Remodeler tools.

For more tips and trends check out the full LBM Journal article here.

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Designing with Manufactured Stone Veneer to Enhance Mood and Energy

Designing with manufactured stone veneer with Cultured Stone Tenley Brick

Homes are intimate spaces, and the elements we choose to style them with consequently bear the ability to influence the way a homeowner feels when they enter a room. That’s why it is all the more important that they connect to the energy of the home on a deeper level. Here’s how designing with manufactured stone veneer and leveraging the colors and textures can influence mood, emotion, and even energy levels.

A Hue for Every Mood When Designing with Manufactured Stone Veneer

When used intentionally, designing with manufactured stone veneer throughout the home is an excellent way to express personal style and speak to the senses on a deeper level.

Thanks to what we know regarding color theory, the shades and hues we choose to incorporate in homes can prompt a number of different psychological responses. The perception of color is highly personal, so homeowners should pay close attention to how they respond to certain colorways. While bright hues of red and orange might be invigorating to some, these same shades may introduce feelings of anxiety and overstimulation to others.

Eldorado Stone’s LorieoBrick in Farola colorway.
Eldorado Stone’s LorieoBrick in Farola colorway.

If calm, serene spaces are desired, nature-inspired shades of greens and blues, or perhaps earth-toned neutrals, tend to be warm and welcoming. In contrast, deep, dark shades of greys, purples, and even black are often associated with a sense of mystique and might speak to the senses on a soulful level.

Pay close attention to the color palettes your customers naturally gravitate to and encourage them to trust their intuition.

Infusing Tone-Setting Texture

Often flying under the radar, we tend to neglect the importance of texture for interior spaces. By incorporating tactile diversity into the design, you can give a room a refined, finished look while improving overall mood.

Textures, much like color, can evoke certain feelings in our senses by adding visual depth to a space. This sense of depth, scientifically speaking, adds dimension and expands our mental engagement with the physical spaces we inhabit. It may sound surprising, but enhancing the textural elements in a space often translates in the brain to that comfortable feeling of “home.”

Versetta Stone Ledgestone in Sand
Versetta Stone Ledgestone in Sand

While it will manifest differently from room to room, incorporating textiles, wood grains, metals, decorative accessories, and other interesting materials is what makes the space welcoming and unique. Sleek, shiny textures and geometric patterns tend to reinforce a more suave, cosmopolitan atmosphere, whereas organic shapes and natural fibered textiles often have the opposite effect, directing our senses back to the warm, cozy familiarity of nature.

Spending time in spaces with natural or biophilic design elements is correlated with reduced stress and lower heart rates and blood pressure while increasing creativity, productivity, and well-being. A textured stone statement wall can not only create a memorable space but also evoke a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world.

Throw pillows, rugs, wall hangings, and lampshades can also add texture and dimension. On a larger scale, incorporating a stone or brick accent wall or woven wallpaper may be the perfect way to add charm and character to the space.

Designing with manufactured stone veneer using Eldorado Stone’s Cliffstone in Montecito colorway.
Eldorado Stone’s Cliffstone in Montecito colorway.

Smart, intentional changes to color and texture may be just the adjustment homeowners need to feel their best in every space, helping to manifest inherent creativity while creating warmth and familiarity in the spaces where they live, work, and entertain. Designing with manufactured stone veneer is an easy, versatile way to achieve energy-giving interiors.

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3 Residential Product Trends—and How To Use Them

Zuri Premium Decking helps answer residential product trends

During this year’s International Builders’ Show, Westlake Royal Building Products™ showcased three prominent residential product trends and several sub-trends designed to educate and inspire pros and consumers alike. The compilation of trends explores how design is evolving under new and ongoing influences, how pros and homeowners are adapting to changing conditions, and how we collectively leverage design to better our lives inside and outside the home.

Here’s a look at the trends our experts are seeing, along with tips for including them on your projects.

Residential Product Trends: 1 — Design Versatility

Bringing the visions of homeowners, architects, designers, and builders to life demands the creation of unique and harmonious indoor and outdoor spaces that reflect continuously evolving tastes. This can be accomplished through siding, trim, stone, roofing, and outdoor products that deliver the highest level of design versatility.

Residential Product Trends: Multi-Textured Facades

Homeowners and homebuyers tired of ho-hum, cookie-cutter houses are seeking out aesthetics to add an eye-catching pop that increases curb appeal and helps differentiate them from others on the block. For builders, these changes can create a more appealing streetscape in communities with limited elevations.

Tips for Multi-Textured Facades:

• Blend colors: Play with the different areas of the façade by incorporating different colors or profiles within the same cladding material. For example, specify gable siding in a color one or two shades removed from the rest of the façade or add a bold-yet-complementary color to a bump-out or other accent.

• Play with profiles: Similarly, matching colors but different siding profiles—such as lap siding on the main façade with shingles in the gables—can create a subtle but eye-catching shift.

• Create texture: Blend siding materials for a textured look. This can be made literally, such as adding from more robust materials like a stone half wall or column, or visually, from movement between materials and authentic, wood-like profiles.

• Leverage accessories: Trim, shutters, and columns are an excellent way to infuse style and create variation in low-profile ways.

Foundry Split Shake in Arizona Clay helps meet residential product trends calling for multi-textured facades
Foundry Split Shake Siding, seen here in the new Arizona Clay color, can be used in gables and other accent areas to help create in-demand multi-textured facades.

Biophilic Design

Connecting people more closely with nature and natural elements, biophilic design can lead to increased well-being and productivity. Growing wellness and environmental concerns are driving demand for outdoor living space improvements and integration of nature in design, including elements like green roofs, living walls, and large windows.

Products to consider:

  • Cultured Stone’s architectural stone and brick veneer products reinforce our inherent connection to the natural world, infusing residential and commercial spaces with a sophisticated touch of texture that complements a wide variety of other natural materials.
  • Kindred Outdoors + Surrounds fuels the outdoor entertaining scene with its captivating line of elegant, sculpture-inspired fire bowls.
  • Zuri Premium Decking (pictured top of page) offers the natural beauty of exotic hardwood with minimal grain repetition, resulting in a flawless design flow from the outdoor space to the interior.      
Kindred Fire Bowls help meet residential product trends demanding outdoor living and biophilia
The Kindred Lyra Fire Bowl combines a modern linear design with an earthy, honed finish.

Solutions for Every Home Style

Flexibility and versatility are key for creating inviting facades. Westlake Royal Building Products’ extensive portfolio of exterior products makes it easy. These include:

  • Dutch Quality Stone’s growing catalog of manufactured stone veneer provides an expanding portfolio of options to create seamless transitions between interior and exterior applications and unify the textural aesthetic of any project.
  • Royal Trim and Mouldings have architecturally correct profiles that match any home style from Colonial or Craftsman to Victorian or Modern.
  • Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing is an ultra-lightweight yet strong roofing material offered in numerous profiles, emulating the look of traditional shingle, clay tile, cedar shake or slate roofing to complement a vast array of home architectural styles. 

Residential Product Trends: 2 — High-Performance Products & Materials

As climate extremes have intensified, the demand for high-performance, weather-resistant building products has surged. Homeowners and building professionals are faced with complex product selection decisions—navigating around the areas of regional weatherability, performance, and sustainability.

Residential Product Trends: Extreme Weather Protection

Exterior products are the first line of defense for a home during a storm, fire, or other climate event. As extreme weather incidents continue to mount, it’s critical to choose resilient building materials.

For example:

  • Eldorado Stone’s premium manufactured stone veneer products have been rigorously tested to withstand years of intense freeze/thaw cycles without damage, which is particularly crucial in northern latitudes and throughout Canada.
  • Newpoint Concrete Tile Roofing is known for its superior strength, durability, and protection against ever-increasing weather events. The concrete tile helps shield the roof and home from the elements, offering a Class A Fire Rating, as well as a Class 3 or Class 4 Hail Rating (for select products).
  • TruExterior Siding & Trim is made with a proprietary blend of fly ash and polymers, combining the look of wood with versatility and toughness to stand up to extreme weather, and ground and masonry contact. TruExterior is California Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) listed.
Newpoint Steel roofing
Newpoint Concrete Tile Roofing.

Long Product Life Cycles

Materials that don’t have to be replaced as often or maintained as frequently are a fundamental part of sustainably built homes—not to mention preferable for homeowners who don’t want to invest time and money into maintenance or replacement.

Tips for longevity:

  • There isn’t a universal standard for “low maintenance,” so don’t take claims at face value without inquiring for greater detail. When trying a new material, always research a manufacturer’s maintenance claims, including reading the warranty, and compare it to other materials.
  • When investigating low-maintenance siding, consider the other products used in its installation. For example, if a cladding requires caulking, that caulk is a secondary maintenance liability, requiring regular inspection and replacement before the siding’s life span is complete. 
  • Read the fine print on painting, as some siding warranties are divided into categories, with different guarantees for product life span versus details like color and fading.

Products to consider:

  • Dutch Quality Stone requires little to no maintenance and may be cleaned with a soft bristle brush and water to remove dust and dirt—pressure washing, sandblasting, or acid washing is unnecessary and not recommended.
  • Industry-leading DaVinci Roofscapes uses virgin resins, and UV and thermal stabilizers, along with a highly specialized fire retardant to craft durable composite slate and shake tiles that are ideal for any climate and backed by a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty.
  • Kleer cellular PVC trim products offer the workability of wood without the durability issues or high maintenance. Every piece is straight and free of defects, and they won’t split, warp, crack, or check.
TruExterior poly-ash siding and trim
TruExterior Siding in Nickel Gap and TruExterior Trim on the Bella Terra wedding venue project in Texas.

Sustainability

Among the Westlake Royal’s portfolio of products are a number of options made with resource-efficient materials and using efficient manufacturing processes. This includes:

  • Cultured Stone is manufactured using a closed-loop system to recycle water and contains up to 58% recycled content; the finished product offers comparable durability to natural stone without the need to quarry material from the earth.
  • Vinyl siding, such as options from Royal Siding and Exterior Portfolio, outperforms almost all other common cladding materials in total environmental impact. Over its life cycle, vinyl siding’s impact on global warming is 1/3 that of fiber cement. 
  • US Tile Clay Roofing is naturally reflective, and many of the colors offered meet the highest cool roof rating standards (such as LEED). The roofing material is not only long-lasting, but is also 100% recyclable at the end of its life on the roof.

Residential Product Trends: 3 — Innovative Industry Solutions

Building professionals face the daunting challenges of labor shortages and product delivery issues, while trying to gain strong project margins and grow their business. To meet these varied and evolving needs, Westlake Royal Building Products is exploring every innovation, from new products to support services.

Residential Product Trends: Labor-Supporting Innovations

It’s no secret that the construction industry continues to struggle to find enough workers, especially as older contractors retire and fewer young people enter the trades. Using products that are straightforward to install and working with companies that offer extensive training options is crucial to keeping jobsites moving.

Products to consider:

  • Versetta Stone combines the beauty and texture of authentic stone masonry with the simplicity of panelized installation. With an integrated nailing fin, the lightweight, interlocking stone siding panels attach with nails or screws.
  • Brakes and saw tables from Tapco Tools offer the utmost precision for high-quality custom exterior trim, siding, and flashing. The tools and accessories are efficient, durable, portable, and easy to use, and our partnerships with industry pros and trade schools provide learning opportunities.
  • DaVinci Roofscapes Technical Trainers offer regular regionally specific training for contractors, designers, and distributors across the country. With hands-on training and continuing education courses, DaVinci provides multiple avenues for learning more about our roofing systems.
Versetta Stone fireplace surround
Versetta Stone panelized stone siding makes it simple to create fireplace surrounds and other stone accents on the interior and exterior.

Robust Contractor Resources

Product and installation knowledge are key to crew success. Take advantage of manufacturer-provided literature, courses, and training to keep your installers trained and up to date. For example:

  • In addition to channel-specific assets for architects, builders and designers, Cultured Stone has partnered with the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) on a Certified Installer Program for masons and other installers to hone their craft.
  • The Westlake Royal PROS Perks Program rewards pro customers for purchasing products from an extensive selection of Westlake Royal Building Products brands. Merchant or VISA gift cards are easy to earn and redeem, with no complicated point systems to navigate.
  • DaVinci Roofscapes offers a Masterpiece Contractor Program with nationwide membership, online portal support, and expansive business-building marketing assistance.

For more trend and design inspiration, subscribe to our enewsletter.

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Introducing Knock Down Column Wraps With Easy, Affordable Curb Appeal 

Royal Trim Knock Down Column Wraps

During the 2024 International Builders’ Show, Westlake Royal Building Products™ launched its new Royal™ Knock Down Column Wraps, an easy-to-install and cost-effective way to transform ho-hum posts with a classic update and add instant curb appeal to the home. The column wraps feature best-in-class lock miter joints for easy assembly, so they can seamlessly slip over existing, outdated columns to give a porch or exterior a cleaner and more modern look.

Made of durable cellular PVC, Royal Knock Down Column Wraps are resistant to moisture and avoid issues found in traditional wood columns, such as warping, rotting, and insect damage. In addition to low-maintenance qualities and long-lasting performance, the column wraps are beautifully versatile: They come in a bright white color and smooth texture, which can be left as is or painted to complement a home’s exterior color palette.

“At Westlake Royal, we are committed to understanding and addressing customer needs, leveraging those insights to bring forth innovative solutions,” says Steve Booz, vice president of marketing at Westlake Royal Building Products. “Recognizing the increased importance of curb appeal, we’re excited to introduce a knocked down version of our popular Royal PVC Column Wraps. These new wraps require minimal maintenance and can be effortlessly installed over existing porch columns, offering a simple and accessible way for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts to achieve porch transformations.”

Royal Knock Down Column Wraps are available in 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 sizes, and in two standard lengths—8’6” & 10’. Each piece is also delivered flat in heavy-duty corrugated boxes for added protection and features a protective film on the outer surface to help keep the product clean and ensure a flawless installation.

To stay up to date on new product introductions, project case studies, design trends, business strategies, and industry insights, subscribe to our enewsletter.

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Energy Efficiency Takes Center Stage for Texas Off-Grid House

Jon Dawson's off-grid house includes Cedar Renditions in the porch ceilings and soffits.

On a sprawling piece of land outside Fort Worth, Texas, builder Jon Dawson is putting his experience and ingenuity—and dreams—to work, building an off-grid house with energy efficiency and performance top of mind.

When completed, the 1,280-square-foot, three-bed/two-bath house with cedar looks will serve as a temporary home for Dawson and his wife while they build the main house on the property, and then will stand as a guest house. “The goal of this home is to remove myself from the rat race and have my own little piece of paradise,” Dawson says.

Cedar Looks Lend Beauty to Off-Grid House

Taking advantage of the ranch’s 360-degree views, the home is positioned on a hill facing the sunset. An expansive, 1,000-square-foot porch wraps around two sides, with overhangs blocking radiant heat from the large sliding doors in the afternoons.

After considering several options, including vinyl and wood, Dawson chose Cedar Renditions® for the soffit and overhangs for the rear of the home and for the ceiling of the vaulted front porch. “It was the most realistic looking and appealing product I could see,” he says. “When I saw it had a rich cedar color, it was a no brainer. There’s no maintenance needed, no waste, it’s easy to install, and lasts a long time.”

Dawson admits he was nervous to install aluminum siding for the first time, but found Cedar Renditions to be straightforward. “Install the J channel and slide the panels in—it was foolproof. Cutting was easy with a miter saw, and using snips for the can lights,” he recalls. “I finished my covered porch, a 20×10 vaulted ceiling, in a day by myself.”

The Cedar Bark color of the Cedar Renditions matches the color of the deck boards for a cohesive look.

Energy Efficiency Starts With Robust Envelope

Beyond looks, Dawson sought to infuse energy efficiency at every turn while staying within his budget. After a lot of research he ended up with Passive House-inspired perfect-framed walls, which eliminates exposed eaves. He used mineral wool cavity insulation, then added 1-1/2” of rigid foam to the exterior walls to eliminate thermal breaks.

The roof system also has 3” of the polyiso foam board plus a 1” gap underneath the metal panels to provide circulation and cooling, helping to keep the framing from transferring heat into the attic.

“All insulation meets at every point, so when the sun hits, it doesn’t transfer to the framing,” Dawson says.

Inside, Dawson installed DIY-friendly mini-split systems. A Span Panel smart electrical panel provides usage data for each breaker. “I know exactly how much energy I’m using at any given time,” Dawson explained. “It gives me an understanding on how to use the home in efficient ways.”

Prior to completion, Dawson will add solar panels, keeping the house off the electrical grid. The property has a well along with a 1,000-gallon cistern for storing rainwater, which will be used for chickens and horses.

Throughout the build, Dawson has turned to other industry experts for guidance, and has chronicled the journey on his Instagram channel. Follow along here.

For more projects and inspiration, subscribe to our enewsletter.

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How to Use Board-and-Batten Vinyl Siding

When it comes to siding trends, one of the biggest ongoing trends is vertical installations—and board-and-batten in particular. Whether a full façade for a Modern Farmhouse exterior or used in a gable accent, board-and-batten styles can add a traditional or contemporary touch and are an easy, eye-catching way to create popular multi-textured facades. And for ease and affordability, board-and-batten vinyl siding options are readily available.

In fact, board-and-batten vinyl siding offers some installation advantages over fiber cement board-and-batten: Namely, with full profiles and an integrated nailing hem, there’s no need to cut battens, no extra prep work to hide nails behind battens, and no worries about water getting behind the battens. Plus, you’ll have fewer penetrations into the wall envelope.

Board-and-Batten Vinyl Options

Westlake Royal Building Products™ offers board-and-batten vinyl siding options in two design options: a 7” o.c. batten and a 10” o.c. batten.

Exterior Portfolio® Board-and-Batten siding features a traditional 7” on-center vertical batten profile, with a low-gloss finish that replicates the look of cedar. It has a seamless appearance suitable for the full façade or an accent, and it is designed to withstand winds of up to 170 mph.

Exterior Portfolio Board-and-Batten vinyl siding
The gable of this home features Exterior Portfolio Board-and-Batten vinyl siding in Espresso

CraneBoard® Solid Core Siding® comes in a board-and-batten profile with a 10” on-center batten for a more robust look, and its Double 10” design means fewer panels to install. The wider batten is made possible by CraneBoard’s insulated backing, which adds greater rigidity, more thermal resistance, and a more robust appearance.

Both board-and-batten siding options feature Chromatix™ technology that helps keep colors from fading.

Accents include CraneBoard board-and-batten vinyl siding in Cypress.
Accents on this home include CraneBoard board-and-batten in Cypress.

Best Practices for Installing Board-and-Batten Vinyl Siding

Like any board-and-batten application, pre-planning your board-and-batten vinyl siding is critical to ensure an aesthetically pleasing result. Start by finding the center of your wall and planning outward in both horizontal directions to ensure your panels are even on either end and the overall look of the wall is balanced. Otherwise, you may end up with an asymmetrical appearance.

Unlike traditional vinyl siding installation, board-and-batten vinyl siding profiles install vertically. Requirements may vary from product to product, so be sure to follow all manufacturer instructions, including requirements or recommendations for water-resistant barriers.

CraneBoard board-and-batten vinyl siding in Lighthouse Red.
CraneBoard board-and-batten insulated siding in Lighthouse Red.

Vertical installation means you won’t nail into the studs, with nails 16” o.c., like horizontal applications. Because of this, be sure to use a sheathing rated as a nailable substrate. More nails also will be required—Westlake Royal, for example, recommends nails every 12” for board-and-batten vinyl siding instead of the typical 16”.

Like any vinyl siding application, the same principles apply to accommodate normal expansion and contraction: Nail loosely, not completely flush, and follow instructions for proper gaps at top and bottom (particularly at the bottom as vertically hung siding is likely to expand downward). Hang the siding from top to bottom, with the top nail in the top of the slot and the rest in the middle.

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What to See at the 2024 International Builders’ Show

International Builders' Show

The 2024 International Builders’ Show is just a few weeks away—is your schedule ready? The show returns to Las Vegas, Feb. 27-29, and once again will co-exhibit with the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show as part of Design & Construction Week.

With three halls of exhibits, dozens upon dozens of education sessions, and a host of demos and special events, there’s plenty to see and do throughout the week. Take a look at some of our picks and previews for IBS to help you get organized.

Education Sessions at the 2024 International Builders’ Show

This year’s show features several types of education opportunities, including Super Sessions, fast-paced Learning Labs, daily Game Changer keynotes, and 60-minute Building Knowledge Sessions.

Here are a few that caught our eye:

• Navigating Generational Differences: How Today’s Leaders Can Attract Tomorrow’s Talent (Building Knowledge Session)
Tues., Feb. 27, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

• Punch List: 2024 Design & Product Trends (Learning Lab)
Tues., Feb. 27, 10:15-11:15 a.m.

• A Simple Project Management Formula for Better Service, Cycle Times & Profitability (Building Knowledge Session)
Tues., Feb. 27, 10:15-11:15 a.m.

• The Outlook: Housing Trends, Forecasts & Insights for 2024 (Super Session)
Tues., Feb. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

• Avoiding Profit-Killing Callbacks & Poor Performing Homes (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 10:15-11:15 a.m.

• A New Estimating Strategy for Greater Remodeling Profit & Resilience (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 10:15-11:15 a.m.

• Emerging Trends & Forecasts for Building Materials (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

• 20 Elevation Styles to Have on Your Radar for 2024 (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 2-3 p.m.

• Outside, Inside & In-Between: 2024’s Top Trends & Design Practices (Building Knowledge Session)
Thurs., Feb. 29, 10:15-11:15 a.m.

High-performance zone at the International Builders' Show
Photo: Nick Hagen Photography

Real-Time Experiences at the 2024 International Builders’ Show

See the latest trends and products in person through these at-show opportunities:

ProTradeCraft LIVE Stage at Pro Builder Show Village

ProTradeCraft’s Jobsite Training Portal comes to life across three stages. Be sure to check out live demos of our Tapco Tools brakes hosted by siding professionals!

Pro Builder Show Village

See the latest innovations, products, and design trends across a neighborhood of demonstration homes at the Pro Builder Show Village in the Silver Lot exterior exhibits. Along with home tours, check out live demonstrations, skills challenges, block parties, and more.

Craft Techniques Zone, West Hall, W3643

A variety of 30-minute interactive demonstrations on home details, finishes, and updates, from decks to fine woodworking.

The New American Home

Each year, the New American Home showcases the latest products, design trends, and building innovations. This year’s house, located in the luxury Ascaya community in Henderson, features skyline views and a resort lifestyle. Tour busses run every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Pick up tickets at booth C10 in the Central Hall. 

New Product Zone

See a handful of the 2024 International Builders’ Show product introductions at the New Product Zone on the exhibit floor.

Royal Woodtones beadboard

What’s New From Westlake Royal Building Products™ at the 2024 International Builders’ Show?

This year you’ll find Westlake Royal Building Products at one of the Central Hall’s largest exhibit booths—C3819.

Browse our entire product portfolio—Siding, Trim, Roofing, Stone, Windows, and Outdoor Living—to see the latest solutions for beautiful exteriors and interiors. We’re introducing an array of new products across our brands, including new siding profiles and colors, new column wraps, new roof colors, new stone profiles, and more.

And be sure to check out these special events at our booth:

  • Trend Walls: Browse 2024’s hottest trends in our interactive display at the center of the booth.
  • Meet the Pros From The Build Show
    Tuesday, Feb. 27:
    Steven Baczek, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 28:
Stephanie Dailey, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Matt Risinger, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

  • RoofersCoffeeShop live podcast interviews, including the latest market insights.
    Tuesday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Need a free Expo Pass? Get yours here.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Want more insights into design trends, events, product installation, and more? Subscribe to our enewsletter.

Top photo: Nick Hagen Photography

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What Does Low-Maintenance Siding Truly Mean?

Premium Pointe low-maintenance siding

These days, low-maintenance siding is one of the most popular trends in home exteriors. And nearly every siding manufacturer is touting the low-maintenance aspects of their cladding materials. Unfortunately, there are no industry standards around low-maintenance claims, and therefore no way for buyers to fully understand what “low maintenance” truly means when it comes to individual products.

The Challenge of “Low Maintenance” Siding

Without a universal approach or definition of low maintenance, it’s important for pros and DIYers to ask questions and understand how each manufacturer defines low-maintenance for their siding products.

Here are some areas to watch out for.

Low-maintenance siding means different things to different manufacturers

When trying a new material, always research a manufacturer’s maintenance claims, including reading the warranty, and compare it to other materials. Don’t take claims at face value without inquiring for greater detail.

This graphic from the Vinyl Siding Institute provides an example of how maintenance needs vary from material to material.

Vinyl Siding Institute graphic shows what defines low-maintenance siding across categories

Moisture resistance and its impact on low maintenance siding

Often seen in concert with low maintenance, moisture resistance is another term often used but not always defined clearly. For example, some fiber cement products claim to be “moisture resistant,” but also cannot be installed against moisture-prone areas like the masonry or the ground. Compare that to vinyl siding or TruExterior poly-ash siding, both of which can be installed directly against those elements.

Moisture is one of the biggest challenges homeowners face when it comes to siding performance and longevity, so understand how each siding material handles moisture and be sure to adjust installation practices and maintenance expectations accordingly.

Maintenance doesn’t just impact the material itself

When investigating low-maintenance siding, consider the other products used in its installation. For example, if a cladding requires caulking to prevent moisture from infiltrating the cladding layer, that caulk is a secondary maintenance liability, requiring regular inspection and replacement before the siding’s life span is complete. 

Read the fine print on painting

Some siding warranties are divided into categories, with different guarantees for product life span versus details like color and fading. For example, if you compare Royal’s and Exterior Portfolio’s surface finish coverage versus a fiber cement manufacturer’s prefinished offering, Royal and Exterior Portfolio both offer a Double Lifetime Warranty with fade coverage of 3 or 4 Hunter units, depending on the color, while the fiber cement product carries just a 15-year warranty for chipping and flaking, but only covers fade of up to 4 Delta E for only three years. This means homeowners may need to repaint their fiber cement in a few years if they wish to maintain a color close to what they purchased.

The Importance of Low-Maintenance Siding

Homeowners are increasingly seeking exterior cladding materials that don’t require frequent painting, caulking, and other maintenance. And for many, it’s worth additional upfront investment to avoid those hassles. That’s why it’s important to do your due diligence when considering new materials and truly understand what the manufacturer is claiming when they describe their product as low maintenance. Doing so can not only ensure that the siding meets customers’ expectations, but that they know what to expect for future maintenance expenses. This is particularly important for multifamily properties, where building management and HOAs need to prepare for future assessments for large-scale painting and exterior maintenance.

Have questions about the maintenance needs for Westlake Royal Building Products’ portfolio of siding materials? Contact us today.

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8 Winter Workwear Options for the Yard or Jobsite

Ergodyne winter workwear jacket

Whether you’re installing siding on the jobsite, stacking material in the dealer yard, or driving a delivery truck, winter can be a challenging time to work outdoors. Having comfortable winter workwear that keeps you warm and dry from your head to your feet is essential.

Here are a few work gear options to check out.

Winter Workwear for Outdoor Jobs

Heated Jacket

The M12 Heated Axis Jacket from Milwaukee uses M12 RedLithium battery technology, carbon-fiber heating elements, an optimized liner, and Quick-Heat functionality to distribute heat quickly to the chest, back, and shoulders. It has a hidden battery pass-through for front or rear battery placement. The jacket’s re-engineered Axis Ripstop polyester fabric protects the wearer from abrasion while preventing tears from spreading.

Heated jacket from Milwaukee as winter workwear

Work Boots

Wolverine’s I-90 DuraShocks waterproof insulated steel toe 6-inch work boots feature a breathable, waterproof membrane with a Dri-lex moisture-wicking mesh lining, 200-gram Thinsulate insulation for additional warmth, and a waterproof nubuck leather upper. A DuraShocks polyurethane outsole absorbs shock and returns energy, while a removable double density footbed adds cushion and stability, and a fiberglass shank stabilizes the foot.

Wolverine work boots

Hi-Vis Winter Jacket

The GloWear 8275 Heavy-Duty High-Vis Workwear Jacket from Ergodyne has a wind- and water-resistant polyurethane coating, 280-gram sherpa lining in the body and the hood for mid-weight warmth, 40-gram quilted sleeves, and a large hood to fit over hard hats. Other details include reinforced, flexible shoulders for long-lasting wear as well as freedom of movement; adjustable cuffs, waist, and hood; and six exterior pockets and two interior pockets. The jacket has Type R, Class 2 – ANSI/ISEA 107-2020-compliant fluorescent material and 2” reflective tape for night-time conspicuity.

Ergodyne winter workwear jacket

Insulated Winter Workwear Pants

Carhartt Storm Defender lightweight relaxed-fit rain pants with Gore-Tex are designed to seal out rain and wind while letting the body breathe and regulate internal temperature. The pants feature Cordura reinforcements for added durability, waterproof seams, ankle-to-knee zippers with storm flaps, and reflective details.

Carhartt winter workwear pants

Balaclava

The Fargo 2.0 balaclava from Helly Hansen Workwear is flame-resistant, anti-static, and abrasion-resistant. It has a ribbed, expandable face opening, moisture-moving material to wick sweat away from the skin, and flatlock seams that minimize chafing.

Helly Hansen winter workwear balaclava

Cut-Resistant Winter Workwear Gloves

Coldwork Hi-Viz Fastfit E5-260 high-visibility, cut-resistant work gloves from Mechanix feature 100-gram Thinsulate insulation on the back of the hand and 40 grams of Thinsulate on the palm, a water-resistant and wind-proof SoftShell, and water-resistant, touch-screen-compatible polyurethane grip palm with added padding to reduce impacts and vibration from tools. The gloves’ high-tensile-strength liner provides 360° EN 388: 2016 level E & ANSI A5 cut resistance.

Mechanix work gloves

Beanie

Simple-yet-effective winter workwear, Caterpillar’s Logo Knit Beanie is made with 100% acrylic material and has darts on the crown for a better fit. Three colors are available.

Caterpillar beanie

Base Layer Shirt

Made with 100% Merino wool, the Blaklader Warm Base Layer Top is designed to keep the worker warm and dry in temperatures from -20 degrees to 25 degrees F. It features warming zones in the shoulders, arms, back, behind, and sides; rib-knitted collar; extended back; and wristlet at sleeve ends.

Blaklader base layer work shirt

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How Contractors and Dealers Can Generate Local Leads With Effective Marketing

Generate local leads with Google ads

Whether you’re a homebuilder, remodeler, or LBM dealer, your customers are likely using the internet as one of their first steps in shopping for a new vendor or service provider. Unfortunately, many contractors and small dealers don’t have a well-established online presence to generate local leads like larger chain brands.

So how can you go about competing for customers in your area? Below, we’ll explore effective strategies on how to generate local leads for contractors and dealers, focusing on the importance of local marketing.

Leveraging Marketing to Generate Local Leads

Without an established online presence, it can be hard to rank organically in customer searches. Even if you develop a website and start contributing heavily to content and organic SEO, it’s a long-term investment. Investing in paid advertising like Google ads can help you get in front of an audience through strategies like geotargeting.

Optimizing your Google Business (previously “Google My Business”) is a crucial step in local marketing for contractors and dealers, ensuring that potential customers can easily find your services and learn how to generate local leads. Make sure you own your brand’s Google Business and update it with all the correct information, including your business address, phone number, and hours of operation. Customers will often ask questions here, and providing answers can act as an easy-to-find FAQ page.

Tools for Contractors to Generate Local Leads

Google offers local service ads that businesses can take advantage of. Unlike Google Ads, you don’t need a wealth of knowledge to use the service, which means even those with basic tech skills can use it. With this service, contractors can highlight their services, garner customer reviews, and receive the “Google Guaranteed” badge for further credibility. Pairing this with strategic sponsored ads (think “contractors near me” results) can create a dual approach to sustained presence in search results.

These tools play a vital role in the local marketing strategy for contractors, providing an avenue to generate local leads effectively and set up a strong online presence.

Generate local leads using Google ads
Photo: iStock.com/ThinkNeo

Tools for Dealers to Generate Local Leads

Dealers can enhance their local outreach through digital co-op programs with manufacturers. These programs offer dealers a unique opportunity to boost local marketing and generate local leads through collaborative efforts and shared resources. The manufacturer provides financial support or resources for advertising and activities while the dealers can use this support and the dealer’s name to appeal to local buyers. The shared investment between the two businesses can help ensure a robust marketing strategy.

Start by reaching out to ask about being listed on their website or sponsoring a limited sales event. Sometimes manufacturers will also grant dealers the rights to specific regions, so once a solid relationship has been established, this can be a lucrative request.

Local Digital Advertising Mistakes to Avoid

When implementing these local marketing strategies, avoid these common pitfalls:

  • Forgoing geotargeting: Targeting local buyers is of the utmost importance, so ads should be specific to the area. If a contractor is in Dallas, there is no need to spend on clicks in Chicago.
  • Not putting the phone number front and center: Having your phone number in an easy-to-locate place affects visibility.
  • Directing all ad links to your home page: Each ad should link to a specific landing page relevant to the subject matter of the ad. If there are multiple services to choose from, having a roofing ad link directly to the roofing service page or form ensures the customer journey is more direct than making the visitor navigate to the correct place from the company’s home page.

What Local Ad Success Looks Like

Success looks different for every brand and the effort it puts in. But there are a couple of ways to mark growth. First, be sure to track what matters. If the goal is to drive contact form submissions, pay attention to submissions that arrived from ad efforts, not organic reach. Or perhaps a brand is more concerned about service visits, in which case impressions aren’t as relevant. Also, pay attention to year-over-year and month-over-month growth or when traffic begins to decline.

Learn More Tips From Westlake Royal Building Products

Westlake Royal Building Products offers helpful insights into both our products and growing your construction business. Get all the latest news and tips right to your inbox: Subscribe to our monthly enewsletter.

Top image: iStock.com/ThinkNeo

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Videos: Tapco Tools Accessories That Boost Efficiencies When Working With Trim Coil

Desmond Tse demonstrates Tapco Tools accessories

If you’ve invested in a brake from Tapco Tools, you already know it helps deliver precise, high-quality custom exterior trim. But did you know that there are several Tapco Tools accessories that can make the process even more efficient?

In these videos, follow along as Desmond Tse (aka “The Siding Guy”) walks through how to use several Tapco Tools accessories for siding and trim coil, including the Port-o-Slitter and Brake Buddy.

Introduction to the Port-o-Slitter Tapco Tools Accessory

The Port-o-Slitter offers precise, high-quality slitting and rib forming in a portable, efficient package. Watch as Tse explores what it is and how to use it.

How to Set Up the Port-O-Slitter Stand and Mount Assembly

Follow along with Tse as he sets up and adjusts the stand and mount assembly for the Port-O-Slitter. 

How to Add a Handle to the Tapco Tools Pro Brake

Adding a second handle to your Tapco Tools brake is easy. Learn how to ensure precise placement and attachment in Tse’s video.

Introduction to the Brake Buddy

The Brake Buddy Tapco Tools accessory allows you to increase the style and originality of your trim, producing brick mold trim and decorative ribs from trim coil in just seconds. A measurement guide and quick-twist handle provide for quick adjustments and simple, efficient operation.

In this video, see how the Brake Buddy works and what it can do to increase the style and originality of your trim work.

How To Change Brake Buddy Rollers from Tapco Tools

Ready to try the Brake Buddy? Watch as Tse demonstrates how to change out the rollers.

Eager to learn more about using Tapco Tools brakes, saws, and accessories? View more how-to videos on our YouTube channel and click here to find the right brake or saw for your operation.

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2024 Colors of the Year Bring Both Calm and Energy

Sherwin Williams Upward

Toward the end of each year, paint manufacturers and other experts announce their Colors of the Year. These highly anticipated declarations offer a reflection of life and society in the moment—our collective mood, influences, and emotional drivers—and guidance for the months ahead.

Some of this year’s prominent 2024 Colors of the Year selections divide neatly into two distinct categories: softer, more relaxed tones answering our mutual desire for peace and calm in a messy world, or bolder, dramatic hues delivering much-needed energy. Though the two sides are notably different, common themes include interpretations of “warmth,” “peace,” and “well-being.” All of the options, light or dark, evoke a depth and saturated richness that draw you in and strengthen each color’s versatility throughout the interior and exterior.

Rich and Relaxing Colors of the Year

Sherwin-Williams: Upward

Described as a “breezy, blissful blue,” Sherwin-Williams’ Upward (SW 6239) is “a sunny-day shade for spaces brimming with positive energy, creative thinking, and total contentment.” Like the company’s 2023 color, Redend Point, the shade is soft but rich, soothing yet eye-catching, a way to make a statement without feeling overwhelmed. Pair it with greige neutrals, black, olive or honeydew green, or a desert brown.

Colors of the Year: Sherwin-Williams Upward
Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

Valspar: Renew Blue

Similar to Sherwin-Williams, Valspar’s Color of the Year, Renew Blue, is a soft-yet-rich hue in the blue family, but with green influences that lend a peaceful vintage feel evoking a sense of calm. “Most of us are seeking an end to feeling overwhelmed—less stress, less information, less technology, fewer choices. Simplicity,” the company said. “Here, we can slow down and create the peaceful place we seek.”

Pair it with mid-toned neutrals in tan and greige.

Colors of the Year: Valspar Renew Blue
Photo courtesy of Valspar

Pantone: Peach Fuzz

Pantone’s Peach Fuzz is “a velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul,” the global color authority says, noting that our need for nurturing, empathy, and compassion was a driver for this year’s selection. A “warm, cozy shade” between pink and orange, Pantone says Peach Fuzz offers a fresh approach to softness, with gentle lightness and a vintage vibe for a subtle sensuality that evokes new modernity.

“Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz brings belonging, inspires recalibration, and an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm, offering us a space to be, feel, and heal and to flourish from whether spending time with others or taking the time to enjoy a moment by ourselves,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director for the Pantone Color Institute. “Drawing comfort from Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, we can find peace from within, impacting our wellbeing. An idea as much as a feeling, Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth.”

Photo courtesy of Pantone

PPG: Limitless

Limitless, a creamy, soft yellow from PPG, “instills a warm, sunny vibe that hints at growth and blooming energy,” the manufacturer said. By offering both “the power of a primary color and the essence of a neutral,” Limitless is, as its name suggests, a versatile option for interior and exterior applications as a full-body color or as an accent. The hue’s soothing vibe is in sharp contrast to vivid Vining Ivy, a Caribbean aqua, the company’s previous-year selection.

Colors of the Year: PPG Limitless
Photo courtesy of PPG

Bold and Energetic Colors of the Year

Behr: Cracked Pepper

Confident and dramatic, Cracked Pepper from Behr is a versatile soft black that can make a statement as the primary focal point in the room or as a simple, classic accent. Lush and elegantly moody, Cracked Pepper provides a perfect contrast against creamy whites but is rich enough to stand alone without overpowering the space.

Photo courtesy of Behr

Dutch Boy: Ironside

Another color selection that is dark but lush is Ironside, a deep olive that Dutch Boy describes as a “richly dimensional hue that soothes and reassures.”

“Creating a space for wellness should be a driving factor in everyday life,” said Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager for Dutch Boy. “That’s why taking a natural approach to healthy living and safe spaces is a pivotal part of the current landscape. Dutch Boy Paints’ 2024 One-Coat Color of the Year—the stunning, strong Ironside—incorporates all the above in one bold color and can be applied in one single coat.”

The company says the color provides a sense of sophisticated comfort behind furniture, art, and accessories.

Photo courtesy of Dutch Boy

Benjamin Moore: Blue Nova

The blue-violet of Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova offers “depth and intrigue, balanced by an undercurrent of reassurance,” the paint manufacturer says. “This alluring mid-tone features an enchanting duality, capturing the spotlight with endlessly classic appeal.”

The company’s larger trending 2024 color palette features softly saturated hues for a nuanced contrast. “On adventures near or far, we encourage collecting poignant color moments with verve and personality that are unexpected and boundlessly magical.”

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

From Colors of the Year to exterior trends, get the latest insights by subscribing to our monthly enewsletter.

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5 Home Exterior Trends for 2024

Siding like Celect can help meet 2024 exterior trends

A home’s exterior is often the first thing guests or potential buyers see, meaning its curb appeal can have a significant impact on making a good first impression. Whether refreshing or renovating a home, staying current on 2024 exterior trends can help make a statement, increase a home’s value, and enhance the comfort of the living space.

Here are a few home exterior trends we’re expecting in the new year.

1. A Connection with Nature

Connecting people more closely with nature and natural elements, biophilic design can lead to increased well-being and productivity. Growing wellness and environmental concerns are driving demand for outdoor living space improvements and integration of nature in design, including elements like green roofs, living walls, and large windows.

You can create dramatic outdoor spaces by contrasting light and dark colors. For example, matte black can be paired with materials like brick, stone, shingles, and wood for an eye-catching twist. Bold, earthy tones such as navy blue, forest green, dark brown, and red can also be combined with nature-inspired materials for organic texture and warmth. Other trending colors for 2024 include vivid teal and aqua blue, which can induce a sense of serenity.

2. High-Performance Siding

As climate change continues to intensify and lead to severe weather, there is a growing need for high-performance, weather-resistant building products. Homeowners continue to favor resilient materials that require less maintenance or replacement.

For example, Celect Cellular Composite Siding replicates the beauty and aesthetics of wood while remaining low maintenance and durable for a lifetime. Featuring a patented interlocking seam design, it keeps moisture out and almost completely eliminates seams. Plus, its Kynar Aquatec coating provides superior protection against ultraviolet rays, reduces energy demands and resists dirt, seasonal staining and insects.

Celect siding

3. Functional Outdoor Living Spaces

Focused on creating seamless connections between interior and exterior spaces, 2024 exterior trends include an evolution in outdoor design that includes integration of outdoor kitchens and living areas. Elements such as fire pits, pizza ovens, outdoor entertainment, and games can be incorporated to personalize the space and provide a unique entertaining hub. Using cohesive materials and textures that can withstand the elements and flow from indoors to outdoors, such as stone veneer, can help elevate the space and further tie it to the home’s interior.

4. Exterior Trends: Mixed Materials and Textures

Blending various textures, finishes, and materials on a home’s facade can create a unique, visually dynamic look. Using a combination of materials like brick and vinyl siding or stone and wood can add depth and visual interest. An option like Versetta Stone delivers the authentic look and feel of stone in a panelized format that is easy to install with screws or nails and requires no metal lath or scratch coat. The stone siding features a tongue-and-groove system for perfect spacing, has a built-in rainscreen, and can be installed almost anywhere without additional footings for support.

Versetta Stone manufactured stone siding

5. Exterior Trends: Transitional Takes on Tradition

A versatile design approach allows a home to transcend trends, ensuring its relevance and appeal over an extended period of time. In 2024, look for a rise in classic design trends featuring elements such as vertical siding, crisp white trim, and other modernized traditional styles as well as a shift away from minimalism that incorporates more nostalgic, personal touches to home exteriors, ushering in more of a transitional style.

To stay up to date on the latest trends, subscribe to our monthly enewsletter.

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Siding Warranties: Always Understand the Fine Print

Royal Residential siding offers robust siding warranties

Among the many considerations when specifying building products is the robustness of warranties. After all, what better indicator of product quality and lifespan? Unfortunately, the language of siding warranties—and nearly every building product, for that matter—can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you don’t read the fine print, you and your customers may be left helpless in the face of fading and decaying products.

Here’s what to look out for.

Get to Know Your Siding Warranties

Warranties are notoriously hard to decipher—there’s a lot of jargon, legal speak, and fine print. But making sure you understand the meaning behind the warranty and what it actually covers can be key for your customers as well as your business.

When in doubt, ask your salesperson for a layman’s explanation for what the warranty covers and when. For siding, this not only means manufacturer defects and other obvious flaws, but also color and fading. For what length of time is fading covered? And how much is considered fading? 

Vinyl siding is one product category in which you might find some big differences if you dig into the fine print.

Exterior Portfolio carries Double Lifetime siding warranties

For example, our Royal® and Exterior Portfolio® siding lines with Chromatix Color Technology carry an industry-leading Double Lifetime Warranty. While most other vinyl companies prorate the coverage for the second owner of the house, Royal and Exterior Portfolio provide full coverage to the second owner. This additional coverage not only instills peace of mind, it can help increase resale value.

In addition to Double Lifetime coverage, the use of Chromatix technology enables us to warrant fade to as low as 3 Hunter Units (a common measure of color difference), while most other vinyl manufacturers only warrant a higher fade amount of 4 Hunter Units. The following image shows the approximate magnitude of 3 Hunter Units of fade with a typical gray color.

comparing Hunter Units for siding warranties

This also can be the case in considering vinyl siding to other materials. In comparing Royal’s and Exterior Portfolio’s surface finish coverage versus a fiber cement manufacturer’s prefinished offering, Royal and Exterior Portfolio both offer a Double Lifetime Warranty with fade coverage of 3 or 4 Hunter units, depending on the color, while the fiber cement product carries just a 15-year warranty for chipping and flaking, but only covers fade of up to 4 Delta E for only three years.

These are just two examples of why it’s incredibly important to read the fine print—not just the warranty claims in bold on manufacturers’ marketing materials. For further guidance, reach out to our customer service representatives to get more details and help break through the legalese.

To get more product insights, subscribe to our monthly enewsletter.

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SEO for Building Pros: A Practical Guide to Boosting Online Visibility

Man types on computer to ensure good SEO for building pros

In the digital age, the first page of search results is the new storefront on Main Street. It’s where credibility is established and first impressions are formed. Search engine optimization (SEO), therefore, acts as the architect of this storefront, ensuring that your business is not just a hidden gem but a beacon that stands out in the crowded marketplace. SEO for building pros is your company’s ticket to the top of search results, where potential customers are searching for your services, and the good news is, you don’t need a marketing or IT department to get started.

Capitalizing on all that SEO has to offer involves tweaking your online presence to make your website more appealing to search engines. Why does it matter? Because when someone needs a contractor, they’re likely to trust the ones they find on the first page of Google.

Different Types of SEO for Building Pros and How to Maximize Their Impact

Let’s break down the essentials of SEO for contractors with a focus on simplicity and practicality.

Content Strategy:

  • Craft simple, informative web content that answers common questions your customers and prospects might have.
  • Use everyday language and prioritize words and phrases that potential customers searching for your services are likely to type into Google.

Technical SEO:

  • Don’t let the tech jargon scare you. “Technical SEO” just means ensuring your website is user-friendly and easy for search engines to understand.
  • Check if your website loads quickly and is mobile-friendly. Google likes that.

Local SEO:

  • Make your Google Business Profile (or Google My Business profile) your new best friend. Fill it out completely, and keep it updated with your latest business information and contact details.
  • Encourage your satisfied clients to leave positive reviews. It’s like a virtual word-of-mouth recommendation. The more positive reviews you have on your website, the more credible Google will assume you are.

Offsite SEO:

  • Think of “offsite SEO” as making friends on the internet. Get your business mentioned on other reputable websites, and make sure they link back to you.
  • Engage with your local community online. Join forums or social media groups where potential clients might be hanging out.
Man searches on phone to find contractors practicing good SEO for building pros

SEO Changes You Can Make Right Now

Now that we’ve established the significance of SEO for building pros in the digital landscape, let’s dive into actionable steps — changes you can implement immediately to enhance your online presence. Consider these practical tweaks and optimizations that can make a tangible impact on how your contracting business appears in search results.

Smart Keyword Use

Identify the words your clients are likely to use when looking for a contractor. For example, “siding replacement contractor.” Sprinkle these words naturally throughout your website.

Image Optimization

Compress your images before uploading them to your website. This helps your site load faster, and Google appreciates that.

Google Business Profile Tune-Up

Double-check your business information on Google My Business. Is everything accurate? Great, you’re on the right track.

Regular Content Updates

Updating your website pages regularly with relevant content signals to Google that you’re active and engaged. This is where a blog might come in handy. And you can start off small, maybe once or twice a month, turn the frequently asked questions and concerns of your customers into a thought leadership piece on your blog and share it through email, newsletters, and/or social media to drive viewers to your site.

Other Ways to Increase Google Visibility

SEO success is all about playing the long game. Unfortunately, none of these updates will change your search engine ranking overnight. If it did, everyone would be doing it! So stick with it, and keep monitoring the changes you’ve made and their impact. At the same time,look into alternative pathways that can propel your contracting business even more in the vast realm of Google visibility, such as:

Local Service Ads

Google’s Local Service Ads are like the fast pass to the top of the search results. Look into them — they’re worth it. These ads prioritize local services, ensuring that your business is prominently featured when potential clients in your area are actively seeking the services you offer.

PPC (Pay-Per-Click)

If you have a bit of budget, PPC ads can give you a boost. With PPC, you set a budget for your ads, and you only incur costs when users actively engage by clicking on your advertisement. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure you’re reaching a targeted audience, maximizing your budget by paying for actual interactions rather than just impressions.

Consider PPC as a strategic tool to amplify your business presence, especially when aiming for specific demographics or promoting time-sensitive offers.

Setting Expectations for SEO for Building Pros

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a stellar online presence. Results take time. Be patient as you build your digital strategy and ramp up your SEO efforts.

This guest post was provided by Socius. Learn more about their SEO services below.

Introducing Socius’s Fast Start Program:

If you’d rather not take on an SEO strategy alone, Socius can work as an extension of your business to expand your digital marketing efforts and help you reach ready-to-act, qualified customers.

And now, Socius has partnered with EverConnect to offer you up to $2,500 in credit toward qualified new leads for your home improvement business when you partner with Socius for digital marketing. It’s designed to generate leads and business while your long-term SEO strategy takes shape. Learn more here.

Boosting your online visibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the practical steps we’ve outlined in this blog, you’re well on your way to dominating the digital arena, one search result at a time.

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8 Siding Tips and Tricks From Solo Installer Desmond Tse

Solo siding installer Desmond Tse, shown here with a Tapco Tools brake, loves giving siding tips on Instagram and YouTube

Whether he’s on a roof or on his siding brake, siding installer Desmond Tse has mastered the art of working smarter, not harder. And he’s built a popular Instagram platform while doing so. Tse, aka @thesidingguy, shares siding tips and tricks to nearly 200,000 followers, teaching other craftspeople how to install vinyl siding (he’s been using Royal® siding throughout his career) and create custom trim more efficiently.

A Long Career Leads to Endless Siding Tips

Tse is a solo siding installer, but it wasn’t always that way. “I had 10 of my own crews working 10 projects at any given time,” he explains. “But I realized I really like installing as opposed to managing people and paperwork.”

Once he decided to make the move to being an independent contractor, Tse took a gradual approach, whittling down as his crews only as they voluntarily moved on to other jobs. Today, after several years on his own, he’s further transitioning in size to smaller projects than he used to.

Along the way, he’s picked up—and continues to learn—quite a few best practices and hacks to make his siding projects more effective and efficient. This includes on his Tapco Tools siding brake, where he has perfected bending techniques to the point of presenting workshops to others. 

Solo siding installer Desmond Tse gives siding tips from the roof

Siding Tips to Improve Your Efficiency

Here are a few best practice, tips and hacks for improving your siding skills, as well as your business approach.

Repetition is the key to improving your skills

Using a brake can feel intimidating. The best way to tackle it is repetition, Tse says. “Gather up scraps and practice. Work on a certain profile. That’s how it becomes muscle memory,” he notes.

The same goes for other aspects of the job: “Even when training crews, I encourage repetition. They’d ask to do siding, but first they need to learn J-channel, so I’d make them go do that over and over.”

Sometimes anything can be used as a jig on your brake

@thesidingguy_

Sometimes anything can be used as a jig. In this case I used the 2’ square and a scrap piece of aluminum as a jig. I do have the material stopper for my brake, but since the aluminum was fed with the material arcing down, it was too floppy to use without getting frustrated. I’ve kept most of my scrap pieces of metal with measurements over the years so I can pretty much just grab the appropriate one for that job and bend away. This way my brain doesn’t have to interpret markings on a tape and it keeps it super simple (not that reading a tape is difficult but I have screwed up before thinking I marked 7” when in fact I went an inch to big accidentally). There are many ways to gain efficiencies in every job. Sometimes different methods work equally as well, it’s up to you to decide which way you like doing it while minimizing the chance of possible errors. I’ve tried many ways and this simple jig is one of my go to methods for bending. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aluminum #aluminumbrake #tapcobrake #aluminumcapping #exteriortrim #edmonton

♬ original sound – @thesidingguy

You can use a brake to make finish trim that provides a hidden fastener system

@thesidingguy_

Here’s a video showing the bends to make finish trim or sill trim. It’s a great way to do a hidden fastener system. It’s basically a double hem. The unfinished edges of the aluminum slips into this trim. The black you see in the video is where it gets fastened. I choose to do 3/4” so that I don’t have to pull out a tape measure or gauge, rather just use the lip of the brake. I hope this video is useful. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions, and sometimes I won’t know the answer but I’ll always try my best. . . . . . . . . . . . . #aluminumbrake #finishtrim #aluminumcapping

♬ original sound – @thesidingguy

A good go-bag can save your time and effort

“One of the items that has helped increase efficiency for me over the years is my ‘go bag,’” Tse says. “This bag stays close to where I’m working at all times and holds all of my ‘just in case’ items. I keep spare fasteners of all kinds, tape, pencil lead refills, nail slot punch, spare tape measure, aviation snips, duckbill pliers, a crescent wrench, a folding tool, chalk line, and a pry bar. … By keeping my tool belt light I have more energy through the day and I don’t have to waste time going to the trailer to grab any items.” (See his go bag in action here.)

Sometimes you can leave your tape measure in your belt

@thesidingguy_

I’ve often suggested to people to only pull out your tape measure if you have to. I sided this entire wall without pulling out the tape until the top row where I pulled it out once to double check if that last row was a consistent height. Holding siding upside down determines all of the length and then cut right in the spot instead of measuring, remembering said measurement then measuring the piece to cut saves a lot of time. Seconds here and there add up to many minutes of time saving. Maybe even an hour throughout the day. That will add up to days in saved time over the year. I didn’t have to move quickly at all to get this wall siding quickly. I had the materials sitting just off screen to the right. I did initially have the box of siding propped up in front of the wall, but it stuck up way too high and I would’ve had to pull up the siding past the eaves just to take a piece out so I opted to have it off to the right. Preplanning makes a big difference in efficiency and ease of a job. Preplanning can be done while driving, or as you initially pull nip to the site and finish your coffee or set up a ladder. Think through things in your mind quickly so that the project goes smoothly every day. Happy Friday all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #fastsidinginstallation #vinylsidinginstaller #remodel #skilledtradesmatter

♬ original sound – @thesidingguy

Wear your fall protection harness properly

@thesidingguy_

I was in a fall protection certification course today. This video shows my instructor properly performing a partner check. If you’re working solo, check it in your vehicle mirror. It’s always good to have refresher courses. It’s not a legal requirement here, but many builders require you to have the certification to work on their homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #fallprotection #safetyharness #workingatheights

♬ original sound – @thesidingguy

Ensure your social media posts add value

If you’re putting your projects and practices on Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok, consider what will benefit your audience in terms of both content and delivery. “I’m pretty easygoing, but I’m pretty particular. I try to keep my posts semi-serious but add humor once in a while,” Tse says. “My mentality for anything I post is ‘Is it going to add value?’ And if it’s not, I won’t post it.” (And, yes, sometimes something for just a laugh has value in its own way.)

Siding tips from solo siding installer Desmond Tse: Sometimes it's good to have fun

Not everyone is wired to be a business owner

Owning your own business provides a lot of freedom, but it also requires a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to paperwork, dealing with numbers, and getting and retaining customers. Tse encourages new business owners to be true to their word and to always under-promise and over-deliver.

To learn more siding tips, follow Tse on Instagram at @thesidingguy.

Want more insights from your fellow pros? Subscribe to our monthly enewsletter.

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Skytrim PVC Trim: Looks Meet Longevity

Skytrim PVC trim on a home exterior

The ideal trim for a home’s exterior delivers an authentic look without worry about excess maintenance, a short life span, or unsightly deterioration. Skytrim PVC trim offers a solution, delivering the optimal combination of beauty, performance, and durability.

Why Choose Skytrim PVC Trim Over Wood?

Like wood trim products, Skytrim PVC trim provides an eye-catching finish that completes a home’s exterior, it can be milled and routed, and it comes in a wide selection of available dimensions. But that’s where the similarities end. Skytrim offers a range of benefits that go above and beyond what wood can do, including:

  • Rot, mold, and insect resistance
  • Virtually waterproof
  • Can be installed in direct contact with masonry
  • Resistance to splitting, cupping, and warping
  • Self-extinguishing
  • Doesn’t require paint, stain, or varnish for weather protection
  • Built-in weatherability and UV protection
  • Smooth sealed edges, easy to wipe clean

What Profiles and Sizes Does Skytrim PVC Trim Include?

Skytrim has a range of widths, lengths, and thicknesses to match and elevate the architecture of any home style. (See everything Skytrim has to offer here.)

Trimboards and sheets

Trimboards and sheets come in smooth or reversible smooth/woodgrain texture. Sealed edges and a factory-applied protective film (pictured below) keep them clean until the day they’re installed.

Skytrim PVC trim products come in white, sand, and clay. This range of neutral trimboard and sheet shades complement any siding color, from lighter to bold.

Dimensional boards and sheets are available in a range of sizes.

Skytrim PVC trim beaded profiles

Skytrim beaded profiles bring warmth of any home style, ideal for everything from dining room wainscoting and entryway accent walls to porch ceilings. The reversible beadboard has a Nantucket style on one side and classic V-groove on the opposite, and it has a hidden nailing hem, full PVC skin, and lower sheen celuka extrusion. Beaded sheets also are available for fast installation.

Skytrim PVC trim soffit

Skytrim post wrap

To dress up porch posts with ease, Skytrim low-maintenance PVC post wraps feature three pre-assembled sides that surround an existing post for a seamless appearance; the fourth side is then applied to enclose the entire post. Post wrap comes in white with a smooth finish and the same protective film as Skytrim trimboard and sheets. Decorative trim kits in three sizes provide added design flexibility.

Skytrim PVC trim column wraps

Skytrim mouldings

Choose from dozens of decorative accents that are lightweight, strong, and built to last. Moulding profiles include crown, casing, base cap, brick mould, historic sill, quarter round, Scotia cove, shingle mould, and many more.

Skytrim PVC Trim millwork

Save time and money on the jobsite with millwork profiles including skirt board, J-channel, and trim with flange. They are available in white with a smooth or woodgrain finish.

Skytrim corners

Corner profiles to create a truly finished look.

No matter the style or application, there’s a Skytrim option to meet your trim needs.

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The Hottest Color Trends for 2024

Color Trends for 2024, mood board, earthy shades

Home decor trends forecasted for 2024 focus on unique color pairings that balance joyful, attention-getting tones with timeless hues that are more subtle. This combination of dynamic and refined shades offers plenty of interior design inspiration, from paint colors and fabrics to building materials and trims.

Earthy shades will continue to spark interior design ideas but with added warmth. For instance, instead of home interiors heavy on white and beige, imagine palettes of taupe and greige, a combination of beige and gray. These colors offer a versatile backdrop for you to experiment with bolder shades and accents, injecting more personality into spaces.

Here are some other predicted color trends for home interiors and exteriors:

  • Warmer natural tones: Earthy and natural tones are still the go-to choices for creating grounded, soothing environments. But instead of just deep or light browns, look for colors such as terracotta, olive green, sage, and nutmeg—hues reminiscent of organic, natural elements such as sand, clay, wood, and stone.
  • Moody, dramatic color palettes: Adding charcoal gray, deep navy, forest green or black to cabinetry, furniture, or accent walls creates drama with coziness, experts say.
  • Lighter shades of calm: Creating a sense of tranquility at home is still top of mind, but instead of blues and greens for calm, expect more blush pink, dusty pastels and light grays.
  • Color combos: Combining autumnal and romantic hues such as mauves, browns, and greens with brighter blues, reds, and fuchsias adds a modern twist to vintage tones.
  • Bold accents: Artwork, furniture, accessories, and upholstery are prime spots for energizing colors to pop against an overall neutral color scheme. Watch for rich jewel tones such as sapphire and emerald; vibrant citrus hues such as yellow, lime, and apricot; and electric blues.
  • Jolts of joy: Whether used in accessories, upholstery, or exterior paint colors for trims and accents, designers like fiery reds, fired brick, violet, magenta, sharp green, rich purple, tropical blue, and golden green.
  • Subtle, complementary tints and tones: Look for deep forest hues, versatile tans, ethereal grays, deep grays, and fresh off-whites.

(See Also: Color Palettes Inspired by Winter)

Color trends for 2024, mood board showing shades of calm, including blushes and grays

What Is Informing Color Trends for 2024?

The pandemic inspired a desire to create more calming, restful spaces, but other factors have been driving home renovation trends recently. For instance, an interest in sustainability has spurred a yen for nature-inspired aesthetics, along with minimalist color schemes. Rapid shifts in the economy, society, and technology also play a role, with consumers craving a subtle ease and a way to balance contemporary design and timeless elegance.

Experimenting with different color pairings, such as splashes of vibrant hues with classic tones, is a way to explore creativity and infuse energy and imagination into our space.

Color Trends of 2024, mood board showing pops of joy, including rich browns and pinks

How Can I Use Color Trends for 2024 in Home Designs?

Colors set the atmosphere and tone of a space, impacting our emotions and our well-being. Some hues can even influence a space’s functionality and productivity, such as using muted blues or greens in a home office to promote concentration and focus.

Here are a few ways to incorporate 2024’s color trends into home remodeling ideas:

  • Wall paint: Creates a backdrop for other design elements with a solid foundation for an overall color scheme.
  • Furniture and upholstery: Makes a statement, creates a focal point, or adds personality and visual interest through colors and patterns.
  • Accessories and decor: Rugs, pillows, curtains, artwork, and other smaller decorative accents easily update a room’s aesthetic on a budget.
  • Cabinetry and built-ins: The finishes on cabinets in kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms can add depth and texture, such as covering cabinets in beadboard.
  • Accent walls and statement pieces: An armchair with vibrant upholstery can create an impact just like an accent wall in a trending color or a different finish, such as Versetta Stone or shiplap.
  • Exterior elements: Exterior remodeling elements such as paint colors, siding, trim colors, shutters, lighting fixtures, and landscaping boost curb appeal and set a cohesive design tone.

(See also: Easy Ways to Add Color to Your Home Exterior)

Whether you’re ready to jumpstart 2024 with a fresh color palette or aren’t sure where to begin, Westlake Royal’s Visualizer Tools give you an idea of what a completed project can look like before you begin. Play with colors and experiment with textures to create the perfect combo that reflects each home’s style.

Want more insights into design trends, product installation, and more? Subscribe to our enewsletter.

Sources:
https://thefashionfrill.com/fashion/key-color-trends-of-2024/

https://www.pantone.com/articles/fashion-color-trend-report/new-york-fashion-week-autumn-winter-2023-2024

https://www.builderonline.com/design/interior-finish/move-over-neutrals-color-to-make-its-return-inside-homes-in-2024_o

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Tapco Tools Solves Roofing Trim Headaches

The Tapco Tools Max-I-Mum brake system for crafting roofing trim

Tapco Tools® brakes are widely recognized for helping contractors create high-quality custom exterior siding trim. But did you know that the versatility and precision of the Max-I-Mum® XL and MX Series® brake systems are also ideal equipment for roofing trim and flashing fabrication needs?

Tapco Tools brakes are efficient, durable, and portable, and they’re engineered to make it easy to accurately craft the ideal roofing trim solution for every job.

The Max-I-Mum XL System (pictured above) combines the Max-I-Mum II brake with a MAX Snap Stand and MAX Cut-off for a powerful-yet-portable commercial-grade braking system. The system weighs as little as 133 pounds but can bend all vinyl; aluminum up to .040, galvanized steel up to 24 gauge, painted galvanized steel up to 26 gauge, soft and annealed copper up to 32 ounce, and stainless steel 1/2 hard up to 24 gauge.

Less portable but no less robust, the MX Series provides heavy-duty bending without sacrificing precision. It’s stable, tough, and has double-walled pivot arms for added strength. The MX can bend all vinyl, galvanized steel up to 22 gauge, painted galvanized steel up to 24 gauge, CR sheet and coil steel up to 22 gauge, soft and annealed copper up to 32 ounce, and stainless steel 1/2 hard up to 24 gauge.

The Tapco Tools MX Series brake system for crafting roofing trim
Tapco Tools MX Series brake

Efficient, Accurate Roofing Trim Fabrication

To give your clients a truly custom, finished look, the Max-I-Mum XL and MX Series can be used to craft a variety of roofing trim and flashing details. These include:

  • Hip cap
  • W-valley flashing
  • Angle 3” by 3”
  • 3/4” angles
  • Drip cap
  • J-channel
  • Monoslope ridge
  • Baseguard
  • Outside corners
  • Narrow outside corners
  • Inside corners
  • Residential eave drip
  • Step sidewall flashing
  • Double angle flashing
  • Transition flashing
  • Gambrel flashing
  • Endwall/sidewall flashing
  • Residential gable trim

See Tapco Tools brakes in action and learn bending techniques on our YouTube channel.

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12 Frequently Asked Questions About Trim and Moulding

Royal trim and molding on a home in Delaware

Trim and moulding are the often-unassuming heroes of the construction and design world. These seemingly minor additions can transform a space, adding character, elegance, and even functionality. In fact, 97% of real estate professionals say that moulding and trim affect the overall price of a home during a sale.

Of course, when it comes to trim and moulding, even the professionals have questions. Here are a few of the most common questions we get asked.

Trim and Moulding FAQs

Is Westlake Royal® PVC Trim Solid or Hollow?

Cellular PVC is a solid extrusion that’s waterproof, insect-proof, and easy to use. The term “cellular PVC” refers to a process and type of polyvinyl chloride that has microscopic air cells inside. The process makes this type of PVC less dense and more flexible than the PVC you see in plumbing pipes, making it more suited to trim applications.

Can I use interior mouldings outside?

Many interior mouldings can also be used outside, but not decorative woodgrain non-vinyl laminated interior mouldings. Westlake Royal Building Products™ offers a variety of cellular PVC and vinyl-wrapped PVC trim moulding that can be used for both interior and exterior applications. Always check with your manufacturer when trying a new trim product.

Can Westlake Royal’s cellular PVC trim moulding be painted?

Our trim comes in white, one of the most popular options for trim. But if other hues are desired, our cellular PVC trim is paintable. Check out our blog on painting PVC trim to learn more.

Can PVC be stained?

PVC mouldings can be stained, but it takes a specialty coating, such as TruStain from AquaSurTech OEM or AWP SPQT Stainable Primer Wood Base Coat for Hard Surfaces. Our warranty does not cover the product with applied third-party coatings, so be sure to follow the stain manufacturer’s recommendations. We also recommend you thoroughly research the coatings you intend to use with PVC.

The same limitations for coatings concerning light reflective value (LRV) on cellular PVC apply to stain, especially for exterior applications.

How do you clean and remove scratches from PVC trim moulding?

Cellular PVC is durable for standing up to exterior elements, but of course accidents sometimes happen during installation. If the scratches aren’t too deep, an all-purpose cleaning agent and a melamine foam sponge or non-scratch scrubbing sponge can often remove the scratches. A rubbing compound such as Turtle Wax can also be used on surface scratches.

Buffing them out may take some time, depending on the severity of the scratches, so be sure to take that into account. Be sure to also clean the trim after buffing.

How do I remove the product description paper label from the trim or moulding?

Use a dissolving product, following the manufacturer’s instructions. We typically recommend De-Solv-It Citrus Solution or Turtle Wax Label and Sticker Remover. If either of those is not available, you can soak the product in surface cleaner, gently scrape the sticker off with a plastic putty knife, and use rubbing alcohol to remove any leftover residue.

What do you recommend for cutting trim and mouldings?

Royal® Trim & Mouldings should be cut with a carbide-tipped blade with 80 teeth or more. To reduce excessive build up on the blade, you can lightly spray it with cooking spray or furniture polish; however, it is important to note that you should not spray the mouldings directly, which can affect paint adhesion. Cellular PVC can be cut with typical saws and blades used for woodworking.

Are Westlake trim and mouldings bendable?

We do offer mouldings that are specially formulated for heat bending, but not all cellular PVC trim and mouldings apply. For example, Royal S4S Trimboard is not recommended for bending, but SurEdge and Precision Cut trim can be bent into a reasonable radius.

Cellular PVC is a thermoplastic polymer, which means it becomes pliable or bendable when exposed to certain temperatures, returning to a solid state when cool. Because of its nature, some cellular PVC profiles can be reheated and reformed; however, variations in batches, profile geometry, and density or weight of the profile mean some experimentation will be required to perfect this skill.

For best results, don’t bend any cellular PVC trim greater than 6” wide.

Is cellular PVC suitable for applications like raised garden beds?

With adequate construction techniques, yes, cellular PVC can be used for this purpose.

Can item 7311 1×6 trim board be used on garages as fascia board?

Yes, but keep in mind that 1×6 is a nominal size, with true measurement being ¾”x5-½”, so you’ll want to be sure that this size is wide enough for your application.

What recommendations do you have for placing 5523 Base over existing ¼-½ moulding?

Existing moulding needs to be removed before Base is installed; it can’t be placed over the previous moulding. Mechanical fasteners like 16- to 18-gauge nails or 6d or 8d should be used. Liquid Nails can also help keep the product glued to the wall.

Is item 2450 Base Cap flexible enough for picture frame panel mouldings on a curved stairway?

This will depend on the radius of the curved stairway. Some trial-and-error will likely need to occur on the most curved area before deciding on how to finish out the application. This can work, but it will require some creativity.

Have more trim questions? You can reach our customer service team at 1-855-ROYAL85 or via our customer support form.

Ready to see how Westlake Royal trim and moulding products can add the perfect finishing touch to your project? Explore all our solutions.

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4 More Ways AI Can Help the Construction Industry

AI for construction and design

By now you’ve likely heard about artificial intelligence (AI)—and if you’ve ever “conversed” with a company’s website chatbot, you’ve used it too. AI is the buzzword of the moment, for sure. As we’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, it’s not likely going to replace construction workers. But artificial intelligence is definitely showing potential to enhance what we do and create efficiencies in how we do it.

Previous AI opportunities we explored include pre-design support, design development, permit documentation automation, site safety, and materials management.

AI also has the potential to help your homeowner customers, as well, by streamlining processes and providing a better experience. Paul Burleson, Westlake Royal Building Products™ National Remodeling Accounts Manager, outlines some of the additional ways AI can be used in this industry:

1. Personalized recommendations: AI-powered tools can help homeowners get personalized recommendations on which products and materials to use, based on their preferences, budget, and specific needs.

2. Smart assistants: AI-powered smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can help homeowners with a range of tasks, from turning their lights on and off to adjusting the temperature in their home. Homeowners can use these assistants to control various smart home devices, which can help to improve their overall living experience.

3. Virtual home improvement tools: AI-powered virtual tools can help homeowners visualize changes before they make them. This technology can be used to create 3D models of a home’s interior and exterior, allowing homeowners to see how different paint colors, furniture, and décor will look in their home before making a final decision.

4. Predictive maintenance: AI can be used to predict when maintenance needs to be performed on home appliances, systems, and other components. This can help homeowners to avoid costly repairs and replacements, as well as ensure that their home is always functioning at its best.

Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionize the home improvement industry, making it easier and more convenient for homeowners to improve their living spaces. For more ideas, be sure to read our previous coverage here.

Image credit: iStock.com/metamorworks

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Survey: What Are Homeowners Planning for Home Remodeling?

interior trim in home foyer

What are Westlake Royal Building Products’ homeowner customers and potential customers thinking about for their upcoming home remodeling projects? We recently surveyed 114 subscribers to the Live Abode consumer blog about their design plans and preferences. Here are a few insights:

Home Remodeling Styles Remain Classic

When it comes to their “dream” architectural styles, Traditional continues to reign, with 34.3% of respondents selecting the style. Coastal (18.9%), Farmhouse (15.3%), and Mid-Century Modern (10.3%) styles followed.

Interior Remodeling Is in the Plans…

Of homeowners who are planning to remodel, 22% said they plan to prioritize interior projects, while 14% are planning an exterior renovation.

Homeowners who are planning to upgrade their exterior space are targeting regular refreshes and updates over a full deck project.

But what if money were no obstacle? When asked what changes they would make to their homes if they had an unlimited budget, 21.6% would tackle an interior remodel and 17.7% would renovate the exterior. A deck or porch expansion was a close third, with 13.8% of respondents selecting the option.

…but Exterior Remodeling Is on the Brain

While responding homeowners indicated they are planning interior remodels more than exterior, they’re seeking knowledge mostly on exterior projects, which could indicate that such projects are next up on their lists or are forming in their minds. We asked what they’d like to hear more about, and their most-wanted topics were exterior home ideas, siding and trim, and outdoor living spaces, followed by paint color trends.

For your homeowner customers working through the decision and design process, Westlake Royal Building Products™ offers a number of tools to assist both you and them. These include:

• Online design tools: The Virtual Remodeler, the Dream Designer, and HomePlay Prime each allow buyers to mix and match products on an image of their own home or a similar home.

• Live Abode: Our design blog written especially for homeowners is delivered directly to their inbox. Access and subscribe here.

• Color Explorer: Choose color families and find products that match and coordinate. Click here to access.

• Color Combinations: Start with a base color and mix-and-match coordinating accent colors. Click to access Royal Color Combinations, Exterior Portfolio Color Combinations, and Celect Color Combinations

Browse all of our exterior and interior products, access samples and resources, and find inspiration at www.westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com.

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2023 Southern Living Idea House Embraces Natural Surroundings, Indoor-Outdoor Living

Southern Living Idea House back porch with Zuri decking

Nestled on 20 acres of rolling countryside near Nashville, the 2023 Southern Living Idea House offers a distinct nod to its relaxed surroundings and roots, blending a cozy, welcoming vibe with contemporary and eclectic touches inside and out.

Architects at Lake + Land Studio sought a Modern Farmhouse look but with a feel that it was built over time and added onto in a thoughtful way, growing with the needs of the people who lived there while still working with the landscape. The high-vaulted ceilings of the great room are balanced by smaller adjacent gathering spaces, ample windows of varying sizes and heights bring in lots of light, and the multi-slide back door opens up views to the countryside and valley.

Southern Living Idea House

Southern-Style Outdoor Living

As with any true Southern home, seamlessly connected outdoor living spaces were crucial, anchored by a welcoming front porch and a cozy rear terrace with optional screening. An outdoor kitchen and a raised-bed garden expand the entertainment opportunities.

“Overall the house [has] deeper and exaggerated bracketed overhangs on the front and back porches, which allow you to enjoy those spaces a little bit longer when [the day] gets to the hot parts of the sun, but also helps shield you from the many rainy days that we deal with,” Luke Sippel, architect with Lake + Land Studio, told Southern Living.

With the emphasis on indoor-outdoor interplay, interior designer Laura Hodges and the architects worked together to choose the decking, opting for Zuri® Premium Decking from Westlake Royal Building Products™ in the Chestnut color. “We wanted to make sure the decking would work with the interior flooring,” says Hodges, owner of Laura Hodges Studio. “We chose the decking first, selecting a color that would work well with a white oak floor. For the interiors, we selected a darker floor stain on white oak, and we knew that the Zuri decking was going to live with it in a beautiful way.”

Southern Living Idea House back porch with Zuri decking

The indoor-outdoor connections are strengthened by a cohesiveness in color and texture. “We worked with the architects on the exterior color palette, selecting colors that reflected the landscape and would coordinate with the interior,” Hodges explains. “We carried the stone from the exterior onto the fireplace in the great room, which gives a great sense of continuity to the design.”

In addition, “Zuri was a beautiful and natural-looking complement to the paint colors and the stone finishes,” she says. “The decking color we chose has a warm undertone to it that works so well with the muted greens and grays of the exterior.”

Southern Living Idea House, back porch featuring Zuri Premium Decking

Natural, Sustainable Interiors

Hodges followed similar principles for the interior. “We wanted to make sure the design of the interiors was a reflection of the natural surroundings,” she says. At the same time, “We wanted the house to reflect the lively music and arts scene in Nashville,” which can be seen in the original artwork and locally sourced rugs and vintage furniture.

With a more natural-feeling color palette, Hodges played with stronger textures, including linen, velvet, and leather, and added statement-making light fixtures with graceful silhouettes.

The use of vintage and antique pieces was part of Hodges’ sustainability approach that spans inside to out.

Zuri Premium Decking on the 2023 Southern Living Idea House

“We made intentionally sustainable design choices inside the house,” the designer says. “What’s nice about having the Zuri decking on the outside is the durability and the longevity of the product. Zuri decking feels and looks natural while holding up really well with low maintenance. Hopefully any new homeowners would keep it there even if the house changes hands and that speaks to the idea that good design is sustainable.”

To see how Zuri Premium Decking can help you create the perfect outdoor space, learn more here, try the deck visualizer, or order a sample.

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8 Recruiting Tips to Ease Labor Woes

labor and recruiting tips

It’s no secret that one of the biggest challenges that continues to plague the construction and construction supply industries is labor. Whether you’re seeking trained carpenters or an entry-level stocker, the market for reliable employees ready to commit to the industry is tight.

As a company, you’re not just competing for labor with other builders or dealers for staff, but with similar businesses and trades in your area. And that means even small missteps can make all the difference in losing a potentially great candidate.  

We checked in with Rikka Brandon, a nationally recognized building industry recruiting and hiring expert and best-selling author, to gather a few easy-to-follow tips that can have an immediate impact on your labor and hiring game.

• Embrace and nurture your brand: Job seekers have an advantage, and that means they get to be picky and choose companies that create a good working environment and culture. Your company’s “talent brand”— the reputation it has in the market—has an impact on whether potential candidates apply for jobs or accept them. Not only do you have to tell the world who you are as a company, you have to show it in how you operate. Spell out your values and live them.

• Write a strong job ad: Your job ad should never be a reiteration or shorter version of a job description. A job ad should be a marketing tool to sell your brand to potential candidates. It should not only include what the job entails, but the “what’s in it for me” factor about why they should want to work for your company.

• Use multiple forms of advertising: You can’t post an ad on Craigslist and call it done. Go where the applicants are: Embrace, and invest in, tools like Indeed and LinkedIn, and boost posts on your company’s social media. And don’t ignore the power of networking—connect with people at local association events, let all of your contacts know about openings, and reach out to talent you’ve met in the past.

• Don’t drag out the hiring process: With tight competition, job candidates aren’t going to wait around for an offer because they likely are getting several. If your hiring process is four weeks long and involves six interviews, your candidate is going to lose interest and look elsewhere. And keep in mind that many candidates are having to take time off from their current job for interviews, so be respectful of their time and even consider video interviews or off-hour meetings when appropriate.

• Ensure your salary and benefits are up to par: With rising inflation, minimum wage salaries are not allowing young workers to keep up. To find loyal, committed employees, you need to pay them accordingly—let’s be honest, most people don’t work simply for pride or love of a company, they need to make money. Do your research on salaries in the area, both within the industry and outside of it, and make sure yours are keeping up.

• Stay flexible: Times have changed, and workers of all ages are seeking a work/life balance—and they’ll move to another company to get it. While many positions in construction and construction supply simply cannot have flexibility beyond a normal in-person 9-5, others can. Allowing workers to go to their children’s soccer games, removing guilt from calling in sick, providing extra PTO, and permitting remote work when it makes sense can go a long way to attracting and keeping staff members.

• Keep tabs on existing staff: Retention is as important as, or more important than, recruiting. Don’t neglect your current team. Conduct surveys and talk to workers about what they like and don’t like about working for your company, hear them out, and make adjustments accordingly. It’s a lot more expensive to find and train a new team member than to make small investments to keep great workers.

• Don’t keep bad managers: The saying goes, people don’t leave jobs, they leave bad managers. As part of surveying your employees, understand the relationships between staff and their supervisors. Are one team’s members leaving in droves? Are you hearing rumors? It may be worth investigating the management style of your supervisors. Include leadership training for your managers just as you provide installation training or sales training.

For more labor and hiring tips, check out Brandon’s blog and follow her on LinkedIn. And be sure to follow Westlake Royal Building Products on LinkedIn for product news and industry and business insights.

Want more industry insights? Subscribe to our enewsletter!

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Where and How to Use Beadboard

Whether to enhance the aesthetics of a home or give it a fresh look before selling, there are few things that offer an elevated look for a great price as well as beadboard.

While beadboard is most popular in Victorian and Craftsman styles (and those in between), it can be used to enhance just about any home as there’s a panel to fit most decors.

What Is Beadboard?

Beadboard is a paneling where each narrow plank is separated by a vertical groove and a small ridge or bump, also called a “bead.” Most commonly applied vertically on walls, the boards are typically trimmed out with horizontal molding to create a finished look. While people often use the term “wainscoting” and “beadboard” interchangeably, wainscoting refers broadly to decorative paneling, of which beadboard is just one type.

Historically, beadboard was made of wood. But advanced materials, like cellular PVC options from Royal® Trim & Mouldings, are becoming a preferred choice of contractors and homeowners looking for higher performance and low maintenance. For example, wood beadboard needs to be repainted every three to five years while acrylic paint on PVC beadboard can last upwards of 20 to 25 years; in addition, most cellular PVC trim comes manufactured in white, so it may not need to be painted at all depending on color preferences.

Royal Trim & Moulding beaded plank
Royal Trim & Moulding beaded plank

Where and How to Use Beadboard

Beadboard can be installed on both the interior and exterior of the home. You’ll commonly see it in mudrooms, saunas, pool roofs, accent walls, and under porch ceilings and soffits.

Inside the home

On the interior, narrower beadboard is often used to add character to the space as an accent wall or by applying whole-room wainscoting. The resulting look evokes a higher-end, traditional feel.

Most commonly, panels are applied in 32” to 36” shorter segments, but taller 54” to 56” installations are becoming more popular as a way to create an even bigger wow factor.

The thinner the paneling and more beading you have on a wall, the more ornate it tends to appear. Narrower paneling is ideal for smaller spaces such as bathrooms, hallways, and stairways.

Outside the home

Beadboard paneling (or cladding with a similar appearance, such as nickel gap or shiplap) is an easy way to provide a more classic look in often overlooked areas of the exterior.  Using a high-performance material, such as TruExterior, which is made with fly ash and polymers, delivers the look as well as resistance to warping, rotting, and insects.

Beadboard is most often found on porch ceilings to create a finished aesthetic as well as to hide leveling irregularities and in soffits with exposed rafters or enclosed built-up soffits.

Boral TruExterior beadboard porch ceiling
TruExterior on a porch ceiling

Tips for Selecting and Using Beadboard

Beadboard is fairly straightforward to install, but keep these considerations in mind:

  • Cost: Like other more decorative trim pieces, beadboard typically has a premium upfront cost. However, it also delivers a high-end look that can elevate the perceived value of the home. And low-maintenance products like cellular PVC can lower upkeep costs over time.
  • Panel installation: Because beadboard usually comes in panels, it can cover more area and therefore can often be installed quicker. Just keep in mind that lining up the panels can be a bit tricky if the installer tries to move too quickly. Always pre-plan your layout from the center.
  • Painting: Because of the texture of all the beading, painting beadboard may require attention to detail. If white is desired, opt for an unfinished white product like that from Royal Trim & Moulding. If color is specified, be sure to clean and prime the surface, opting for a high-quality primer to ensure the paint lasts for as long as possible; follow beadboard manufacturer instructions for paint type and any limitations on color. TruExterior comes pre-primed and ready to paint any color, including dark hues. A paint sprayer will create a smooth finish and get the most surface covered in the fastest time, but you’ll likely need to follow up with a brush to fill in the grooves.

To learn more, check out our idea gallery to see how others have used our panels in their homes.

Want more industry insights? Subscribe to our enewsletter!

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25 Years of Vinyl Siding Certification

The Vinyl Siding Institute recently marked the 25th anniversary of its Product Certification Program, an important tool for buyers and specifiers to identify siding materials that are code compliant and high quality. Products listed under VSI’s Product Certification Program are tested and validated by an independent ISO/IEC 17065 accredited third-party certification body to deliver superior protection and meet and exceed international code standards.

“The program’s goal was standardizing the industry as a whole so that all manufacturers were on a level playing field and that products were consistently produced and distributed to the standards established,” explained Sara Krompholz, VSI’s senior director of technical and certification. “The program was also designed to achieve greater consumer confidence.”

VSI Certified Products provide quick, at-a-glance verification of code compliance, eliminating the need for specifiers to research manufacturer documentation. The products also are tested and proven to stand up to harsh conditions. The program certifies traditional vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding, and polypropylene siding.

The Evolution of Vinyl Siding Certification

According to VSI, the organization has continued to expand and refine the Certified Products Program as the market has required. This includes adding standards for color in 2006 and adding wind-load testing in 2008. And in 2021, VSI relaunched the program as an independent third-party program with ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation, with Intertek as the certification body. With this change, products in the program must carry a Product Certification Listing (PCL) declaring that it complies with recognized standard. An optional Product Evaluation Report (PER), which denotes that a product meets recognized standards and requirements for building codes, is also available.

VSI says it will continue to evaluate, refine, and adapt the Product Certification Program as it moves forward. “The sky’s the limit,” said Krompholz. “We are continuing to evolve and expand our scope as evidenced by the addition of backed siding. We are working on recognizing Canadian certification to the National Building Code of Canada (NBC). In the future, we might consider adding accessories and other PVC-related materials, and a scheme has been written to allow us to include expansion opportunities, which could also expand membership.”

Westlake Royal Building Products Certified Under VSI’s Program

Nearly all vinyl siding products from Westlake Royal Building Products are certified under VSI’s Product Certification Program. These include:

For more details on Certified Products, visit the VSI certified products listing and search “Westlake.”

To view products, browse idea galleries, and order samples, visit Westlake Royal Siding Solutions™.

Want more industry insights? Subscribe to our enewsletter!

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Palight® Trimboard Rebrands as Skytrim™

Skytrim on home

Westlake Royal Building Products has rebranded Palight® Trimboard as “Skytrim™.” A sophisticated line of PVC trim options, Skytrim allows designers to achieve the aesthetic they want while enjoying better longevity and lower costs than wood products.

Skytrim is made with free-foam PVC that works and cuts like wood, but is also lighter in weight, making it easier to transport and install. PVC delivers amazing performance without many of the drawbacks of wood — such as rotting, painting, or staining — and significantly lowers regular maintenance for the homeowner over time.

The line includes:

Trimboards & Sheets: Skytrim PVC trimboards and sheets are available in white, sand, and clay colors. The range of neutral trimboard and sheet shades provide the flexibility to complement a variety of siding colors, from lighter to bolder shades. Both trimboards and sheets come in smooth/smooth or fully reversible in smooth or woodgrain texture for design and aesthetic flexibility. This product comes with sealed edges and factory-applied protective film. 

Beadboard and Beaded Sheets: Skytrim beaded profiles are a great match for any home style, especially Modern Farmhouse, as it embellishes warmth and charm, both inside and outside the home. This product creates a point of interest in entryways or on feature walls, and can be installed in the dining room, laundry rooms as wainscoting, and even on porch ceilings. 

Post Wraps: Skytrim Post Wraps are decorative trim kits that come in matching sizes, giving added design flexibility to the installer. 

Skytrim post wraps
Skytrim Images

Decorative Mouldings: Simple to cut and install, and designed to last, Skytrim mouldings are ideal to highlight details and add character to any home. 

Corners & Millwork Profiles: Millwork profiles and corners highlight home details and create virtually seamless transitions. Skytrim Corners are available in a variety of sizes and profiles that perfectly highlight any home style while providing lasting protection and performance. 

Cortex® Fastening System: The Skytrim Cortex Fastening System is a fast and easy way to hide fastener heads when installing PVC trimboards, sheets, and profiles. It combines the strength of a face-fastened connection with the style of a hidden fastener. The screw is specially designed to cut a clean hole through the surface of any Skytrim product so there’s no need to pre-drill. The countersink setting tool is included and available in white, clay and sand in both smooth and woodgrain textures. 

To learn more, visit www.skytrim.com. 

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Dealers Ramp Up Adoption of Ecommerce, Other Technologies

ecommerce activity at home improvement store

The construction and LBM industries are notorious for their slow adoption of technology. This includes ecommerce, which has lagged behind the pace of other industries. But the pace of adoption is increasing, driven by several factors, most notably the pandemic, wider acceptance, and demand from the next generation of customers and workers. And, perhaps surprising to some, AI is also playing a role.

Dealer Surveys Show Ecommerce on the Rise

According to LBM Journal’s 2023 LBM 100 survey, 40% of dealers offered online sales in 2022, a 9.5% increase over the previous year. Of those, 27.4% of orders were for curbside pickup.

“We’re hearing from almost every dealer we talk to that there is a real awareness that ecommerce is a needed element,” said Mike Berger, managing editor for LBM Journal. “The buying habits not just of consumers but also pros have changed so much since the pandemic started.”

Consumers have gotten used to logging onto not only Amazon but also home improvement retailers like The Home Depot and Lowe’s to compare prices and make purchases; LBM dealers are realizing that they need to ramp up their own ecommerce to keep up.

“Ecommerce is here, it’s only going to increase, and dealers are going to need to make every effort they can to accommodate it,” Berger said. “Younger folks coming into the LBM industry are bringing with them patterns of commerce they’ve already developed. To them, it’s second nature to be able to go to their phone, go to an app, place their order, and be done.”

While ecommerce has lagged, LBM dealers have made strides in other areas of technology. In its 2023 Construction Supply 150 report, Webb Analytics noted that while construction suppliers continue to devote a low percentage of revenue to technology, they’ve made remarkable gains. “Online bill presentation now is common, with online payment capabilities close behind,” the report explained. “The next big trends will involve notification of delivery status and online information about whether a product is in inventory. Both are likely to be features of customer-facing apps for smartphones—another growing trend.”

Dealers have responded to customer demand for easier access to accounts and pricing by making it easier to pay bills or check inventory online, a must-have for building pros who do office work after regular business hours because they’re on the jobsite all day. Online access may also be beneficial for customers for whom English is not their first language.

“Despite spending an average of less than 1% of revenue on technology—far below most other industries—leading dealers have gotten dramatically more techie over the years, especially this decade,” the Construction Supply 150 said. “We’re at the point where more than two-thirds of responding CS150 dealers make it possible for their customers to see purchasing history and bills online, and another quarter of the dealers plan to add that capability. Over half permit online bill payment, and another 30% plan to roll out the feature.”

One reason ecommerce might be slower to adopt is because pricing and supply in the building sector isn’t always black and white. Supply chain challenges, particularly over the past few years, have made it harder to predict what is available, and pricing can be impacted by a number of factors that vary customer by customer.

But, ironically, technology is helping to address those challenges, as well. “The stock issue is gradually improving as dealers get better warehouse systems,” Webb Analytics President Craig Webb said. “The pricing is getting better in part because dealers are getting more sophisticated at being able to categorize customers.”

Webb’s Construction Supply 150 found that 35% of dealers have a warehouse management system, but another 26% want to add it. Delivery notification systems are also on the rise, the study found, with 40% of dealers offering it now; 79% of dealers have dispatch/delivery software, which means notification offerings could rise soon.

For now, Berger said, many customers are using ecommerce for smaller items or one-off items, such as a few extra 2x4s or other missing materials needed to quickly complete a job. Consumers are using it as part of their pricing research, which positions dealers to potentially earn new business if they have an item at an equal or better price as a nearby big box store.

How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Dealers With Ecommerce

Webb and Berger both point to artificial intelligence (AI) as an important factor for dealers going forward.

“It looks like artificial intelligence’s ability to slice and price could be one of the very first ways AI makes an impact on dealers,” Webb said. “It’s possible to collect tons of information about customer history and purchasing patterns, to scrape the internet for what everyone else is selling for, and to look at commentaries on what’s happening with pricing trends, strikes, forest fires, etc., and make pricing recommendations in the moment for customers. [As a simple example,] it’s an automated way of seeing a winter storm coming and analyzing how many shovels you have.”

Berger said one of the biggest fears he hears from dealers is that adding ecommerce means increasing the amount of staff needed to handle it. But dealers who have found success are reporting the opposite, thanks in part to AI tools that can assist with filling out product descriptions, answering common questions, and more. “With the tools that are available, dealers aren’t having to radically ramp up their hiring.”

Ecommerce Solutions With Software

Existing and trusted software solutions also are playing a key role in getting dealers up to speed. The industry’s leading software providers offer systems that allow companies to run programs for what they want and need while adding or removing capabilities in the future.

Epicor’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, for example, has an option for an integrated ecommerce platform.

ECI announced in July a new ecommerce solution for its Spruce ERP platform. The tools allow dealers to build a professional storefront website and customer portal without the need for coding or web development expertise. “For consumers and tradespeople, this means unlocking the ability to shop online for delivery or in-store pickup, browse products, create accounts, build self-service quotes, pay invoices, and more,” John Maiuri, division president LBMH at ECI, said in an announcement of the launch. “For LBM and hardlines businesses, this means help in avoiding over-stocking since inventory counts, transactions, pricing, invoices, and other information are directly connected between systems.”

It’s clear that more and more LBM dealers are embracing the efficiencies that technology can bring—while recognizing that customers will only continue to expect such conveniences in the future. As technology solutions become more advanced and more user-friendly, there perhaps may be no better time to take the leap.

Gain more insights and stay connected with Westlake Royal Building Products® on LinkedIn.

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Image: iStock.com/gorodenkoff

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Project Gallery: Cedar Renditions at Work in Ontario

Cedar Renditions on modern home by Tip Top Exteriors

One glance at Tip Top Exteriors’ Instagram page and it’s clear that owner Joe St. Angelo and his crew are facade experts. Whether cladding a new Modern Farmhouse or replacing aging siding on a traditional split-level, the team’s exteriors deliver eye-catching looks and reliable performance alike. 

Tip Top Exteriors uses a variety of siding materials and profiles in its work, and St. Angelo often turns to Cedar Renditions® siding from Westlake Royal Building Products™ for accents as well as for porch ceilings and soffits.

As an accent, Cedar Renditions provides an easy way to create the multi-textured facades that are currently in high demand. Apply in key detail areas or to bumpouts and other prominent features. In addition, adding vertical or horizontal bands can help avoid the seams brought by long expanses of siding. For porches, Cedar Renditions offers the perfect wood-look accent for a streamlined finish.

Modern and high-end in appearance, Cedar Renditions comes in seven woodgrain colors with a fade-resistant PVDF top coat. The siding is water-resistant, impervious to cold, insect-resistant, durable, and virtually maintenance free.

Cedar Renditions on Homes in Ontario

Along with aesthetics, Tip Top Exteriors relies on Cedar Renditions for its simple installation. Corner posts and J-channels provide starting points, then panels install easily with a drop-in interlock system.

“It’s easy to quote and install. You don’t need to be a carpenter,” St. Angelo says. “While wood is sometimes cheaper, it requires a more skilled install. Cedar Renditions is low maintenance and lasts.”

St. Angelo recommends pre-planning your layout to avoid seams. With porches, he plans for application direction based on which orientation will create the fewest seams and the least waste.

(Watch Tip Top Exteriors install a porch ceiling with Cedar Renditions here.)

In addition, he says, make sure the plane is level. This will ensure that the screws won’t need to be overtightened, which can lead to indents and affect the aesthetic.

Tip Top Exteriors has installed the siding on homes of numerous styles, from traditional to modern. Here are a few recently completed projects:

Niagara Falls, Ontario:
For this project, Tip Top Exteriors installed Westlake Royal Building Products™ Haven® insulated siding in the D5 profile on three sides of the house, then used Cedar Renditions for the porch ceiling, installed perpendicular to eliminate the chance of seams.

Modern Trio, St. Catherine’s, Ontario
For these three spec houses, Cedar Renditions accents helped Tip Top Exteriors achieve the modern look the builder was seeking while still keeping the project on budget.

This home combines blended stone hues with Cedar Renditions 6” siding in Charwood. The dark brown complements the darker grays and taupes in the stone.

The other two homes in the modern trio feature a more muted stone palette with the lighter tones of Cedar Renditions in Cedar Bark. St. Angelo likes the way the lighter tones show the wood grain and complement the dark siding on the sides of the house. 

Cedar Renditions on Tip Top Exteriors modern homes in Ontario

“You can pair Cedar Renditions with anything—stone, fiber cement, and more,” St. Angelo says. “You can use it as the soffit, as the siding, an accent on the porch, or a single accent in center. Add a 2-foot strip and it completely sets the home apart.”

To learn more, see additional projects, and request samples, click here.

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How to Paint Cellular PVC Trim

Painting cellular PVC trim, Royal Trim & Mouldings

Nothing accents a home quite like trim. It can help create a bold frame for a modern look or offer a decorative touch to tie a more traditional aesthetic together. While white trim is often a popular choice, painting cellular PVC trim can make a statement for the perfect exterior addition.

Cellular PVC trim typically comes manufactured in a white substrate. But while easy, it’s not the hue every homeowner wants nor every home needs, so achieving the preferred look will require you to paint.  Different types of trim react differently to different coatings, and there are also some best practices for painting cellular PVC trim to keep in mind.

PVC vs Cellular PVC Trim

When most people think of PVC, they’re thinking of rigid PVC, which is commonly used in commercial and industrial applications for things like pipes, doors, refrigeration, and tanks. It’s less flexible than other formulations and is commonly known as UPVC, PVC-U, and uPVC (the “U” standing for “unplasticized”).

Cellular PVC, like Royal® Trim and Mouldings and Kleer® from Westlake Royal Building Products™, is an expanded PVC that is ideal for creating shapes. It’s less dense, more flexible, and more moldable than rigid PVC, making it more economical and able to replicate the looks and profiles of wood. It’s also durable, waterproof, low-maintenance, and resistant to dents, scratches, splitting, and warping.

Choosing Paint for Cellular PVC Trim

It’s crucial to select the right coating for cellular PVC trim to ensure it lasts as long as designed. When painting the trim with a color with a light reflective value (LRV) of 57 or above, a high-quality 100% acrylic latex or acrylic blend paint is recommended. For darker colors with an LRV of 56 or lower, it’s crucial to opt for an approved solar reflective coating (such as Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe or Benjamin Moore Colors for Vinyl) to avoid any heat distortion, warping, or buckling over time.

Best Practices for Painting Cellular PVC Trim

When painting cellular PVC trim, there are a few best practices to follow and details to be aware of.

  • Remember that painting cellular PVC trim is different from other materials. Paint adheres to cellular PVC much better than materials like wood. Wood has a 6% moisture allowance, which means it will need to be repainted after three to five years. Cellular PVC trim, however, won’t need to be repainted for upwards of 20 to 25 years if the right paint is chosen and the PVC is prepped properly. Since cellular PVC doesn’t absorb moisture, most coatings will be dry to the touch within an hour or less, but may take 30 days to fully cure (depending on humidity and temperature).
  • Prep the trim. Always clean cellular PVC trim before painting to remove any dust, dirt, or other foreign material. Because some cellular PVC can have a high sheen, lightly scuff the surface to help improve paint adhesion. Priming isn’t necessary; however, the finish quality is greatly enhanced if you use a premium 100% acrylic latex paint for trim with a built-in primer. In addition, a primer may be required under the paint manufacturer’s warranty. If you do use a primer, make sure to follow the same LRV limitations, as some primers can be dark and can create heat distortion issues.
  • Paint after the trim is installed. While trim can be painted prior to installation, doing so will necessitate touch-ups around fasteners. Painting after installation can help avoid repetitive touch-ups, and if the homeowner isn’t sure about color choice, installers can move forward with the job before the decision is made.
  • Follow paint manufacturer’s instructions. Again, it’s important to select a solar reflective coating when using a 56 LVR or lower paint. Installers should also carefully read and follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions as they can offer additional insight on coloring and coating requirements.

PVC Trim from Westlake Royal Building Products

Following these simple guidelines for painting Royal and Kleer cellular PVC trim can help ensure a look that lasts.

Royal Trim & Mouldings come in a variety of shapes and styles, offering virtually endless ways to transform the exterior of a home. Options include S4S Trimboard, Conceal Trim System, SurEdge Trimboard, Prefinished Trim, Precision Cut Trim, and Garage Door Trim.

Kleer cellular PVC trim products are a beautiful, sustainable alternative to wood. Their TruEDGE feature protects against dirt intrusion with a finished edge on all sides.

To see how Westlake Royal Building Products can bring your next exterior project to life, check out our online design tools or request a sample of Royal Trim & Mouldings or Kleer Lumber.

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3 Ways Leadership Is Evolving to Ensure Happier Employees and Customers

Leadership team on construction site

Anyone who has ever had a bad boss knows there’s at least some truth to the oft-quoted phrase “Employees don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.” Along with employee turnover, poor leadership on the part of managers and supervisors can impact employee morale and overall operations to a point of causing inefficiencies, costly mistakes, and, ultimately, unhappy customers.

According to Paul Burleson, Senior Account Executive of National Remodeling Accounts for Westlake Royal Building Products™, we need to see a paradigm shift in our approach to leadership—a significant change in the way leadership is viewed, practiced, and executed.

“Historically, leadership was often associated with a top-down approach where leaders made decisions and gave instructions to their subordinates,” Burleson says. “However, recently, there has been a significant swing toward a more collaborative, inclusive, and participatory style of leadership.”

Burleson describes three ways the old methods are changing:

  • A move toward servant leadership: This approach emphasizes that leaders should be servant to their subordinates and prioritize the needs of their team members above their own interests. This style involves focusing on developing and empowering team members, providing support and guidance, and creating a positive and inclusive work culture.
  • An emphasis on emotional intelligence: Leaders are expected to be empathetic and in tune with the emotions and needs of their team members. This involves actively listening, understanding individual strengths and weaknesses, and adapting one’s leadership style to meet the needs of their team.
  • A shift toward more collaborative leadership: With this approach, team members share decision-making. This method recognizes the value of diverse and multiple perspectives and involves engaging team members to ensure that all voices are heard.

Overall, these paradigm shifts are a response to the changing nature of work and the evolving needs and expectations of today’s workforce, Burleson says. By adopting more inclusive, emotionally intelligent, and collaborative leadership styles, leaders can create a more engaged and empowered team that is better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.

Stay connected with Westlake Royal Building Products on LinkedIn.

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Introducing: New Versetta Stone Accessories & Accessory Colors

Versetta Stone trim stone accessory

Westlake Royal Building Products™ is expanding its Versetta Stone™ siding line with a new Large Light Box and new colors for stone accessories.

Featuring panelized installation, Versetta Stone siding provides the beauty and texture of authentic stone masonry without the added skill and time required for installation. The siding panels combine seamlessly with Versetta Stone accessories—including universal corners, wainscot cap/sills, receptacle boxes, and light boxes—to create a fully finished look. Every component works as a system with the stone siding panels and is made with the same premium materials and in coordinating styles, colors, and textures.

The accessory expansion includes new Large Light Boxes, measuring 9.5” by 15”. Like the smaller Light Boxes, the new size provides a finished look behind sconces at the home’s front entryway, garage, and rear entry. The new Large Light Boxes come in Charcoal, Stone Grey, and Taupe, which coordinate with Versetta Stone’s siding profiles and color palette.

In addition, three existing accessories have new color options:

  • Trim Stone is now available in Stone Grey (pictured above) as well as Taupe and Charcoal. The Trim Stone measures 36” by 9-1/2” and has a 8.2” exposure.
  • Starter Strips also are now available in Stone Grey in addition to Taupe and Charcoal. Starter Strips come in 10’ lengths, install with mechanical fasteners, and have built-in weep holes for drainage.
  • J-Channel offerings now include Charcoal and Stone Grey as well as Taupe. J-Channel comes in 10’ lengths.

Versetta Stone siding and accessories coordinate to create a flawless exterior, and the new sizes and colors provide contractors and DIYers alike with more options than ever to elevate their homes’ curb appeal in a way that is beautiful, cohesive, and unique.

Learn more at www.versettastone.com.

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How to Leverage AI in the Construction Industry

In a rapidly evolving world where technological advancements are reshaping industries, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer. People are already using it to create more efficient schedules, develop recipes for their leftovers, and even create code to build websites when they have no web development experience.

But what about industries that are hands-on like construction? AI can’t build a home, right? It can’t put on a roof or replace old plumbing pipes, can it?

No, but it can help make many of the processes faster and safer.

AI Will Not Replace Construction Jobs

Before delving into the details of AI in construction, it’s crucial to address a common concern: the fear of AI replacing human workers.

Rest assured, AI is not here to replace construction jobs; rather, it is here to enhance existing roles. AI technology can be a powerful tool to aid construction workers, boost their productivity, and streamline processes, leading to more efficient project execution.

AI and the Future of the Construction Industry

The future of the construction industry lies in embracing advancing technologies to unlock its full potential. By integrating AI and construction, we may see remarkable improvements in each stage of the building process, especially during planning. It can streamline processes, reduce costs, minimize errors, and optimize overall efficiency in construction projects.

Here are some of the ways AI might be used (or is already being used) in the construction industry:

AI and pre-construction

  • Pre-design – With AI tools, professionals can generate design options, analyze site conditions, and optimize building layouts. This can help to speed up the decision-making process and empower the creation of more innovative and workable designs.
  • Design development – AI can analyze large quantities of data and generate solutions based on specified parameters. Construction professionals can use AI to accelerate the design process, find potential issues, and improve the overall quality of designs.
  • Construction documents – Generating construction documents, drawings, specifications, and schedules can all be enhanced through AI automation. With these integrations, professionals can not only reduce errors but also improve document accuracy and enhance collaboration among different project participants.
  • Bidding and negotiations – AI can assist during bids and negotiations by analyzing historical data, current trends, and your project requirements. Because it can optimize cost estimates and evaluate subcontractor proposals, the decision-making steps in the process become more informed and efficient.
  • Permits and approvals – Documentation automation through AI could mean a faster process of getting permits and ensuring compliance. There are now AI-powered tools that can aid in the analysis of building codes, zoning regulations, and environmental requirements, which means fewer project delays to meet compliance.
  • Finalizing pre-construction documents – Leveraging AI when reviewing and finalizing pre-construction documents, contracts, and agreements can aid in minimizing potential risks and discrepancies.

Performance and safety during the construction process

  • Site-safety – AI-powered cameras and video analytics can detect potential hazards, monitor on-site behavior, and provide the supervisor and general contractor with real-time alerts. Surveillance at this level means improved safety for all and fewer accidents on construction sites.
  • Labor and materials management – Optimizing the allocation of labor and materials by analyzing project schedules, resource availability, and productivity data ensures that projects are executed with efficiency. That results in maximum productivity with minimal material waste.
  • Building performance analysis – AI-powered systems can help find opportunities for energy savings, predict maintenance needs, and contribute to overall sustainability and cost savings for building owners.

The Future of AI in the Construction Industry Is Bright

If we want to fully harness the power of AI in the construction industry, it’s imperative to continue collaboration between technology providers and construction professionals.

The potential benefits are emerging: streamlined processes, lower costs, improved accuracy, enhanced safety, and optimized project management, just to name a few. But the journey doesn’t stop here — continued research, development, and adoption of AI technology may be crucial to move the industry forward.

One way Westlake Royal Build Products is embracing technology is through our available Home Design Tools. Create your own home masterpiece by interacting with our design tools.

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Accommodating Expansion and Contraction in Vinyl Siding Installation

Exterior Portfolio siding creates a multi-textured facade

Vinyl siding is a fairly straightforward cladding to install, but, like any building material, it’s critical to follow proper vinyl siding installation procedures outlined by your manufacturer. And the No. 1 consideration to keep in mind? Managing expansion and contraction.

Nearly every material expands and contracts. And this phenomenon is one that’s easy to accommodate by following proper vinyl siding installation instructions. Vinyl siding manufacturers have designed their systems holistically to work well together, with a pocketed system design to hide any potential expansion and contraction of the materials.

The Potential Challenges of Expansion and Contraction

Like many PVC-based materials, vinyl siding will grow when it gets warm and shrink when it gets cold. A 12-foot vinyl siding panel could see a ½- to 5/8-inch difference in length between winter and summer. This basic principle drives nearly all installation guidelines for vinyl siding, and understanding the principle is important to ensure your exterior project looks as good as it should for years to come.

When you don’t accommodate for a siding panel’s potential movement, a number of things can happen. Nail the panel too tightly and it has no room to expand; this can result in rippling (also called oil canning) as the panel forces itself outward. A similar issue can occur if panels are too long on the ends. And if you  don’t trim the siding properly, visual gaps can appear as the panels contract.

Vinyl Siding Installation Strategies to Accommodate Expansion and Contraction

Avoiding these issues is fairly straightforward. Here are best practices to keep in mind:

• Nail vinyl siding panels properly: Most vinyl siding panels come with elongated nail slots. Drive the nail in the middle of the slot. Nail it loosely—leaving about a dime’s width between the fastener and the vinyl. Both of these practices will provide room for movement as the panel expands and contracts. Standard nail spacing is 16 inches on center, or 8 or 10 inches for high-wind areas; follow manufacturer instructions for nail type and spacing.

• Maintain a gap at ends: Vinyl siding should be installed with a gap at the end of the wall to accommodate expansion and contraction; make sure there is sufficient room to grow—a ¼-inch gap when installing in temperatures above 40 degrees F, and a 3/8-inch gap when installing in temperatures below 40 degrees F. Because of this, install J-channel trim to hide the gap as the panels contract.  

• Use care with top panels: It’s tempting to cut top panels to fit and then fasten them directly to the wall without the nailing hem. But this technique won’t leave room for expansion and contraction, and it also can trap water and block air movement that’s essential for keeping the wall cavity dry. Best practice is to install finish trim (also called sill trim or utility trim) at the top, cut the vinyl siding panel to height, and use a snap-lock tool to cut lugs to snap the panel into the trim. This holds the panel in place while still allowing for movement.

• Don’t ignore vertical installations: The use of vertically installed vinyl siding across the entire wall continues to grow. The same principles apply—nail loosely and leave proper gaps at top and bottom. Hang the siding from top to bottom, with the top nail in the top of the slot and the rest in the middle.

Following these simple steps, along with the other requirements in your vinyl siding installation instructions, can provide freedom of movement for the cladding, helping to ensure aesthetics and performance that last.

For more details, download the installation instructions for each of Westlake Royal Building Products’ siding brands, starting here. Also, check out the Vinyl Siding Institute’s Certified Installer program.