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What is Seamless Siding?

T. L. Childree
T. L. Childree

Seamless siding is an exterior covering for homes and buildings that features continuous sheets or strips of material. This continuous installation design typically seals out rain, wind, and insects better than traditional seamed material. Seamless siding also provides a more uniform appearance to the outside of a structure. This type of siding material is available in steel or vinyl and usually requires professional installation. Seamless siding typically can be obtained in simulated wood, brick, and log designs.

Traditional seamed siding generally contains gaps and overlaps that allow moisture to penetrate the surface and cause decay. This traditional design can also allow insects to make their way into the structure. High winds often pull the siding apart at the seams and damage the substrate materials. Seamless siding helps to eliminate these hazards with its continuous surface. This seamless material can be cut to the exact length of an exterior wall to prevent unnecessary gaps and overlaps.

Seamless vinyl siding typically requires a professional to install it.
Seamless vinyl siding typically requires a professional to install it.

Exterior walls covered with seamed siding usually have an irregular, patchwork appearance. Seamless siding typically provides a neat, uniform look to exterior walls. Most seamless material is thicker and stronger than ordinary siding. Siding materials used for seamless construction are usually attached to the substrate with floating clips to allow warm weather expansion. The overall design of this siding generally produces a long-lasting exterior wall covering for homes and buildings

Seamless siding is manufactured in both steel and vinyl and can be custom ordered for larger structures. Steel siding is typically covered with polyvinyl chloride to prevent surface rust. Seamless steel siding is usually packaged in rolls and cut to the proper length at the job site. Seamless vinyl materials are very long and in most cases require a team of installers for best results. In general, professional installation of both kinds of seamless siding is usually required.

The most popular seamless siding designs include simulated wood, brick, and logs. Simulated wood siding may be either horizontal or vertical and is usually made of flexible vinyl. Horizontal styles typically have a wood grain texture and give the appearance of tongue and groove or lap siding. Vertical style siding is usually patterned after grooved sheathing panels.

Seamless brick siding is also constructed of vinyl and installed in panels. This material is colored and textured to give the appearance of authentic masonry. Log siding is available in both vinyl and polyvinyl chloride-coated steel. Unlike actual wooden logs, this maintenance-free material is not susceptible to termites or rot. Log siding is shaped and textured like wooden logs and available in several colors.

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    • Seamless vinyl siding typically requires a professional to install it.
      By: Dennis Oblander
      Seamless vinyl siding typically requires a professional to install it.