Yes, our name says we do replacement windows, but we also do other energy-efficient exterior home solutions like siding. And just like the window and door companies we choose to partner with, we’re very particular about the siding companies we get materials from. We look for high-quality products and companies that have a great reputation for innovation as well as service. When we decided to install CraneBoard® insulated vinyl siding, those requirements were on our minds. Crane was the industry leader, pioneering vinyl siding nearly 70 years ago. We thought our readers might be interested in a little history of the vinyl siding industry as well as Crane products.
In the late 1950s, the Crane Plastics, an Ohio company, began producing vinyl siding for homes. At that point, the most popular siding material was aluminum. (You may still see aluminum siding on some older homes in the Twin Cities, but vinyl has overtaken it and become the most popular residential siding material.) The manufacturing process they developed was called mono-extrusion, where one material created a solid side and shape of siding, having a similar appearance to existing aluminum siding. Colors were mixed manually, which of course created problems with consistency. But after about 20 years improvements in the process created a better quality product that was more durable, had greater impact resistance, and offered more colors. The new production process – co-extrusion – was much faster as well.
Co-extrusion of vinyl siding involves 2 sheets of material (mostly PVC). with the top layer being extremely weather resistant and carrying the color pigments. Early vinyl siding products faded very quickly, but technological advancements now product vinyl siding products that are guaranteed against fading and chalking for decades, some products up to 50 years. And while dark colors of vinyl siding in the past have faded much more quickly than lighter shades, with newer siding products that’s no longer the case.
Crane vinyl siding has gone through a number of transitions over the years in terms of company affiliation. Its various siding materials fall under the umbrella of Exterior Portfolio®, sold by Crane to a Georgia company in 2011. Exterior Portfolio® is now a division of Royal Building Products, an industry leader. CraneBoard® Solid CoRe® insulated vinyl siding is available in several lap profiles. Exterior Porfolio also includes other vinyl siding lines, including shake and shingle, board and batten, and others. These siding products – including coordinating trim and accessories – are available in a wide range of colors, so homeowners can create a truly custom appearance for their homes by combining colors and styles, all of the same basic material.
CraneBoard® insulated vinyl siding is just one of the high-quality siding materials we install. If you’d like more information about this premier siding material or any of the others available from us, we’re here to answer your questions as well as give you a free no-obligation quote. We are a Minnesota licensed siding installation contractor serving the greater Twin Cities metro area.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
