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Vinyl Siding Certification Program
Administered by the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI)


The vinyl siding industry has third-party product certification and certified installer programs. Administered by an accredited, independent quality control agency to ensure products and colours meet or exceed ASTM International standards, the vinyl siding industry has third-party product certification and certified installer programs. The programs also make certain installers have demonstrated knowledge of ASTM-accepted application techniques.

Since 1998, the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) Product Certification Program, administered by Architectural Testing Inc. (ATI), has allowed Canadian and U.S. manufacturers to certify with independent, third-party verification their products meet or exceed the industry standard for quality - ASTM D 3679, Standard Specification for Rigid PVC Siding.

This includes tests for weatherability, wind loading, impact resistance, and heat shrinkage, along with verification of a manufacturers' advertising claims of length, width, gloss, and thickness. To ensure sustainability per ASTM D 3679, the tests are conducted to confirm the vinyl siding does not contain lead (as found in some uncertified vinyl siding manufactured overseas).

The program also assures the project team the material's colours have been certified to meet or exceed the retention requirements of ASTM D 68&, Standard Specification for Colour and Appearance Retention of Solid-colored Plastic Siding Products, or ASTM D 7251, Standard Specification for Color and Appearance Retention of Variegated Color Plastic Siding Products, depending on the style. Further, VSI's colour retention certification process requires an outdoor weathering study to be conducted for each colour being considered. Resistance to major changes over time in a variety of climates must be demonstrated. There are nearly 950 certified products, with about 350 vinyl siding colours.

Since 2005, VSI's Certified Installer Program has trained and tested experienced vinyl siding professionals on their knowledge of proper installation techniques, based on the industry standard ASTM D 4756, Standard Practice for Installation of Rigid PVC Siding and Soffit. Currently, more than 3700 vinyl siding installers have been certified in North America, with more being added every month.