VSI Product Certification Program Cladding with Confidence

The Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc. (VSI) Background The Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc. (VSI) Located in Washington, DC Represents polymeric siding manufacturers and suppliers to the industry VSI sponsors a program to certify with third-party verification the quality of both vinyl and polypropylene siding

VSI Product Certification Program Includes both polypropylene siding and vinyl siding Manufacturers certify their siding meets or exceeds the appropriate ASTM standard Verified by an independent, accredited quality control agency Twice yearly, unannounced plant inspections, product testing, and quality control plan review conducted 3

Certification Program Milestones 1998 Established VSI Product Certification Program Certification of vinyl siding to ASTM D3679 Standard Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Siding 2006 Certification of color retention of solid colors of vinyl siding to ASTM D6864 Standard Specification for Color and Appearance Retention of Solid Colored Plastic Siding Products (also must meet ASTM D3679) 2007 Certification of color retention of multi-color variegated vinyl siding to ASTM D7251 Standard Specification for Color and Appearance Retention of Variegated Color Plastic Siding Products (also must meet ASTM D3679) 2010 Certification of polypropylene siding to ASTM D7254 Standard Specification for Polypropylene (PP) Siding

Performance tests for polypropylene siding: ASTM D7254 Performance tests for polypropylene siding: Impact resistance Weathering Windload resistance Flame spread

How We Characterize Certified Polypropylene Siding Products certified to meet or exceed ASTM D7254 are inspected and tested by the third-party Administrator to: Weather elements over time without cracking, chipping, flaking, pitting, or peeling Meet impact resistance requirements Withstand wind pressures equivalent to 110 mph or more Demonstrate flame spread performance equivalent to or better than wood materials

How Does a Polypropylene Siding Become Certified? Manufacturer signs an agreement with VSI and the Administrator The Administrator conducts an initial review of the manufacturer's quality control procedures and an announced plant inspection for adherence to ASTM D7254 Administrator conducts twice yearly, unannounced inspections and additional tests Manufacturer marketing materials are reviewed Manufacturers who are not VSI members can certify their products through VSI’s Program, but an additional annual fee above the per square fee is required

Program Administrator Architectural Testing, Inc. Third-party Administrator for the VSI Product Certification Program since 1998 Qualifies and validates certified products Conducts twice yearly, unannounced plant inspections Updates Official List of Certified Products at www.polypropylenesiding.org Is an accredited quality control agency

Official List of Certified Products Found on VSI’s website www.polypropylenesiding.org www.vinylsiding.org Allows users to search for certified siding by material type, manufacturer, product, or brand Updated whenever changes occur Notes certified colors of vinyl siding as well

Official List of Certified Products Search for siding by company, brand, or product

Official List of Certified Products Select polypropylene siding, vinyl siding, or both

Polypropylene Siding Label Manufacturers are required to use an official Polypropylene Siding Label on their product cartons to identify all polypropylene siding certified to meet or exceed ASTM D7254

Polypropylene Siding Logo The Polypropylene Siding Logo is designed for use in marketing collateral for polypropylene siding certified to meet or exceed ASTM D7254, but is not required Label can also be used on marketing materials Administrator conducts annual reviews to ensure proper use of Program marks Product literature Websites Other marketing materials

Certification Label and Logo Manufacturers must use the official VSI Polypropylene Siding Label on shipping containers to identify all certified siding and may use the Polypropylene Siding Label or Logo on product literature to identify certified siding All usage of the Polypropylene Siding Logo and Label must adhere to the current version of the Instructions for Polypropylene Siding Label and Logo Use, as well as the applicable provisions of the Program Guidelines

VSI Certification Marketing Plan Support certification of polypropylene siding Educate builders, remodelers, architects, and consumers about: Recognizing the quality and integrity of certified polypropylene siding and vinyl siding Understanding the performance characteristics of certified polypropylene siding and vinyl siding Work with code officials and other influencers to incorporate certified polypropylene siding in their product requirements

Marketing Certified Products VSI creates the tools for manufacturers to market their certified polypropylene products Manufacturers use these tools and their own marketing efforts to differentiate their products in the marketplace 16

Marketing Tool Kit for Certified Polypropylene Siding Messaging Brochure Polypropylene Siding Label/Logo and instructions for their use Question and answer sheet Press release template for newly certified products and VSI announcement press release Sales PowerPoint Program documents 17

Contact Information Program Administrator Architectural Testing Inc. Sara Blue sblue@archtest.com (717) 764-7700 Marketing Firm Eastern Research Group Kathleen Brady kathleen.brady@erg.com (703) 841-0370