Blog Post

3 Benefits of Ply Gem Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding

Andrea Erickson • Dec 19, 2022

A modern alternative that offers the same breathtaking appearance of natural wood with none of the hassle.

With modern innovations in building material fabrication, there is no shortage of types of siding for houses from which New Hampshire residents can choose. However, with the abundant forests and orchards throughout the region, there is just something about traditional wood siding that stands out in the area.


Nonetheless, despite its natural beauty, wood siding comes with a host of issues that New Hampshire homeowners would rather avoid. Fortunately, there is a modern alternative that offers the same breathtaking appearance of natural wood with none of the hassle: Ply Gem vinyl cedar shake siding. To discover more about why this is an ideal siding choice for New Hampshire residents and why we use it on our
new homes, keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of the top 3 benefits of Ply Gem vinyl cedar shake siding.


Lower Maintenance Than Traditional Wood Siding

Although the timeless beauty of natural wood plank siding is a staple in homes in the New Hampshire region, there is no denying that the decision to side with wood creates ongoing maintenance requirements that homeowners would rather avoid. For example, wood siding must be painted or treated at least every other year to reduce the risk of  moisture, insect, and fire damage. Simply put, this is more expensive and time consuming than most homeowners bargained for, with many falling behind schedule and undermining the building envelope of their homes.


Enter Ply Gem vinyl cedar shake siding.


Although it is nearly indistinguishable from natural wood siding, it comes with virtually none of the maintenance and upkeep requirements. With no painting, staining, or treatment required, homeowners can spend more time enjoying their home and less time maintaining it. Its inorganic composition makes it naturally resistant to moisture, pest, and fire damage, giving New Hampshire homeowners confidence that their home is protected in all conditions. While it is a good idea to pressure wash your Ply Gem vinyl siding every year to prevent debris buildup, little else is required for keeping this innovative siding material looking pristine for many years. 


Breathtaking Curb Appeal

As mentioned, many New Hampshire homeowners choose natural wood siding thanks to the rustic curb appeal it created. As such, you may be concerned that switching to a manufactured product such as Ply Gem vinyl will undermine these aesthetic advantages.


There is no need to fear, as Ply Gem vinyl siding is nearly indistinguishable from natural wood options. Moreover, Ply Gem vinyl can be fabricated in a wide range of colors, designs, and patterns, providing homeowners with the exact look they are going for. With natural cedar, you kind of get what you get, and there may be some disparity between individual shakes that is not necessarily charming. This can be magnified when the forces of nature strike, as traditional shakes may crack, fade, and warp at varying rates when exposed to the elements, creating a truly tacky exterior.


By choosing Ply Gem vinyl cedar shakes, homeowners can be assured of the quality and longevity of the product they are getting, locking in top-notch curb appeal for years to come. 


Ease of Installation


Working with high-quality, consistently manufactured Ply Gem vinyl shakes has its advantages for installation as well. Whether you are a DIY home improvement enthusiast or a professional tradesman, Ply Gem shakes provide a lightweight, intuitive, and repeatable installation experience.


Using a
C-LOK continuous locking system, Ply Gem shakes’ snapping lock-in system runs the entire length of the panel and provides significantly more stability than less reliable “tab-style” panels. The shakes are also exceptionally flexible, allowing for installation in tight spaces and guaranteeing a perfect fit and professional finish for every square inch of the siding surface. 


Why Choose Ply Gem Cedar Shake Siding in New Hampshire?


If it is not obvious by now, the diverse benefits of Ply Gem vinyl cedar shakes make them an ideal option for New Hampshire homeowners. As upper New England has four distinct seasons, a home’s siding will have to face a wide range of elements. From bright sun in the summers to thick snowfall in the winters, New Hampshire homes get put to the test in many unique ways. 


With Ply Gem shakes, New Hampshire homeowners do not need to worry about scrambling to get their siding treated prior to the first big snowfall of winter. They can rest assured that excessive UV exposure will not cause their siding to dry out and crack. And by choosing Ply Gem vinyl, they can still get that homey feeling of a wood cottage that plays so well in the forested New England surroundings. 


The Bottom Line: The Benefits of Ply Gem Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding

Ply Gem vinyl cedar shake siding offers the same breathtaking curb appeal as natural wood with none of the maintenance and upkeep requirements. It is also extremely easy to handle and install. For these reasons, it provides a top-notch siding solution for homeowners in the New Hampshire region.


Andrea Erickson is a freelance writer that loves sharing her knowledge and expertise on home construction and remodeling. She lives in her hometown of Austin, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and decorating with her children. Andrea’s work as a freelance writer can be found on
Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource launching in the New Year.

09 Feb, 2023
Staging a home in New Hampshire can be a great way to maximize the potential of your property and attract potential buyers.
Photo of Lewis Builders Award Recipients
26 Jan, 2023
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievements in design, craftsmanship, and overall excellence in the home building industry.
By Lewis Builders 25 Feb, 2022
This New Hampshire town called the "Center of the Universe" is a great place to call home!
Hampstead NH
By Lewis Builders 21 Jul, 2021
Whether you are considering moving to New Hampshire or you have lived here your entire life, Hampstead, NH is one of the best southern New Hampshire small towns. You might think with a population of just over 8,500, there would not be much to this small town, but Hampstead and the surrounding area have a lot to offer.
Virtual Resident Center
17 May, 2021
As part of our commitment to providing you the best customer service experience, we are pleased to announce the launch of our Virtual Resident Center!
By Lewis Builders 12 May, 2021
At Lewis Builders, the health and safety of our customers and employees is our top priority. We have been closely monitoring COVID-19 (coronavirus). Lewis Builders has advised all employees that if they are experiencing any symptoms to remain home as a precaution so as not to infect co-workers or customers they may come in contact with, and to notify us if they have traveled to any areas of concern. We are currently maintaining normal operations and advise all to follow the most current guidance from the Center for Disease Control, as well as state and local agencies. As the spread of the coronavirus has evolved, our continued focus has been on the health and safety of our employees and our customers. Main Office: Our main office at 54 Sawyer Ave is currently open to the public at normal operating hours. Please check back often as this may change. Tenants and Rental Applicants: If we do need to schedule maintenance, our team may ask you questions such as whether or not you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been asked to voluntarily quarantine yourself or if you or anyone in your home is ill or has been within the last 14 days . We ask you to answer these questions honestly, so that employees can take the appropriate steps to protect themselves from infection if a home visit is required. We have also developed a new Virtual Resident Center where you can make payments, submit requests, or apply online. If you have any questions or concerns regarding rentals, feel free to contact us at 603-362-5333 or email rentals@lewisbuilders.com .
Atkinson NH town center
By Lewis Builders Development 15 Oct, 2020
Atkinson has so much to offer, but we came up with four essential reasons why this New Hampshire border town is the perfect place to live.
First Place Safety Award form ABC NH/VT
By Lewis Builders Development 25 Sep, 2020
On September 24, 2020, the Associated Builders and Contractors NH/VT chapter hosted their 2020 Annual Construction Safety Awards. Annual safety awards are for the BEST safety records, MOST IMPROVED safety records, and MOST CREATIVE safety programs among “small” and “large” member firms. Lewis Builders received top honors for having the best safety record of cases resulting in lost workdays in the SIC 15 100,000 – 200,000 personnel-hours category. SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) 15 is the category for building construction.
New Home featuring Huber ZipSystem R-Sheathing
By Lewis Builders Development 15 Jul, 2020
What is Zip System Sheathing? How does it work? And how is it saving you money? We answer all these questions and more as we introduce the first article in a new series we are calling "Do You Know Your Home?"
Danville NH is the center of NH's Rockingham County
By Lewis Builders Development 14 Aug, 2019
Danville NH is a hometown that is centrally located in Rockingham County and conveniently close to MA, the Seacoast, and Manchester. We explore the possibilities of living in Danville and what you can easily get to in a short drive.
More Posts
Share by: