CertainTeed Horizontal Vinyl Siding: Which Line Makes the Most Sense in Maryland & Pennsylvania?
- Staff
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
If you’re replacing siding in Harford County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Howard County, Cecil County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County (MD) or York County, Lancaster County, Chester County (PA), you’re not just picking a color — you’re making a durability and resale decision.
Our region sees:
Heavy rain
Nor’easters
Wind events
Hail
Freeze/thaw cycles
High humidity in summer
That means panel thickness, rigidity, and fade protection matter more than brochure marketing.
Here’s how each CertainTeed horizontal siding line stacks up for homeowners in our market.
Encore
Thickness: .040"
Colors: 13
Relative Cost: $$
Encore is CertainTeed’s entry-level vinyl siding. It works well for rental properties, starter homes, or situations where budget is the primary driver.
In Maryland and Pennsylvania, it performs adequately, but it’s not what we typically recommend for long-term curb appeal in competitive resale neighborhoods. With fewer color options and a thinner profile, it’s more about affordability than premium finish.
Best for: Budget-conscious upgrades or investment properties.
MainStreet
Thickness: .042"
Colors: 25
Relative Cost: $$$
MainStreet is the “sweet spot” siding in our area. At .042", it’s thicker than entry-level panels and holds up better in wind and temperature swings.
For most suburban neighborhoods in Bel Air, Forest Hill, Towson, Eldersburg, York, or Lancaster, this gives you solid curb appeal without over-improving the home for the area.
Best for: The majority of homeowners wanting durability + value balance.
American Legend
Thickness: .042"
Colors: 18
Relative Cost: $$$
American Legend is comparable in thickness to MainStreet but leans toward classic styling. It’s often chosen when homeowners want a traditional clapboard or dutchlap aesthetic without stepping into premium pricing.
In historic-style neighborhoods or colonial-style homes common throughout Harford, Carroll, and parts of Chester County, this line fits architecturally.
Best for: Traditional homes where style matters as much as cost control.
Restoration Classic
Thickness: .044"
Colors: 29
Relative Cost: $$$$
This is where you start to see a noticeable upgrade in panel weight and finish quality. The .044" thickness adds rigidity, and the expanded color palette allows better trim and accent coordination.
In higher-value neighborhoods or homes over $500k+, Restoration Classic tends to make more sense from a resale standpoint. It avoids the “builder-grade” look while still staying within vinyl pricing.
Best for: Move-up homes and resale-focused upgrades.
Carolina Beaded
Thickness: .046"
Colors: 14
Relative Cost: $$$$
Carolina Beaded is a specialty architectural panel. You’ll see this selected on historic homes, coastal-inspired homes, or where the homeowner wants that distinctive shadow line.
It’s less about ROI math and more about achieving a specific look. In the right neighborhood, it absolutely elevates curb appeal.
Best for: Architectural style homes where detail matters.
Monogram
Thickness: .046"
Colors: 38
Relative Cost: $$$$$
Monogram is CertainTeed’s premium traditional vinyl siding. At .046", it’s the thickest standard horizontal vinyl panel in the lineup and offers the largest color selection.
In competitive resale markets like Howard County, Montgomery County, or higher-end areas of Baltimore County and Chester County, this is often the best vinyl choice for maximizing curb appeal without stepping into fiber cement pricing.
It feels more substantial and photographs extremely well for listings.
Best for: Homeowners prioritizing long-term durability and resale value.
Monogram XL (Long)
Thickness: .046"
Colors: 18
Relative Cost: $$$$$
Same premium thickness as Monogram, but with extended panel lengths to reduce seams. On large two-story elevations common in newer MD/PA developments, fewer seams create a noticeably cleaner finish.
Less visible joints = higher-end appearance.
Best for: Large homes with wide wall spans, homeowners who prioritize less seams.
CERTAplank (Reinforced)
Thickness: .046" vinyl face (reinforced backing)
Colors: 17
Relative Cost: $$$$$$
CERTAplank is a reinforced plank-style siding with added rigidity. It creates a flatter, more solid look than hollow vinyl panels.
For homeowners who want a more substantial feel but aren’t ready for fiber cement (or don’t want its maintenance), this is a strong alternative.
In storm-prone areas, the added rigidity can be appealing from a durability standpoint.
Best for: Homeowners wanting upgraded rigidity and a plank-style aesthetic.
ROI & Resale Considerations in Maryland & Pennsylvania
In our regional market:
Replacing siding can return roughly 70–80%+ of its cost in resale value.
Color choice matters almost as much as thickness.
Over-improving beyond neighborhood comps rarely pays off.
Under-improving can hurt perceived home value.
Practical Recommendation by Home Tier
Rental / Starter Home: Encore or MainStreet
Mid-Range Suburban Home: MainStreet or Restoration Classic
Higher-End / Competitive Market: Restoration Classic or Monogram
Architectural / Colonial Styling: American Legend or Carolina Beaded
Large Modern Elevations: Monogram XL
Premium Vinyl Alternative Feel: CERTAplank
Product Line | Nominal Thickness | Typical Profiles | Color Options | Positioning / Tier |
Encore | .040" | D4, D5, Dutchlap | 13 | Entry / Value line |
MainStreet | .042" | D4, D4.5DL, D5, T3, Beaded | 25 | Core / Mid-range |
American Legend | .042" | D4, D4.5DL, D5 | 18 | Classic styling / Mid-range |
Restoration Classic | .044" | D4, D4.5DL, D5 | 29 | Upper mid-range / Premium finish |
Carolina Beaded | .046" | Single 6.5" Beaded | 14 | Specialty beaded profile |
Monogram | .046" | D4, D4.5DL, D5 | 38 | Premium traditional vinyl |
Monogram XL (Long) | .046" | Extended-length D4, D4.5DL, D5 | 18 | Premium / Long panel for fewer seams |
CERTAplank (Reinforced) | .046" (vinyl face) | Single 7" reinforced plank | 17 | Reinforced / Foam-backed rigid plank |
In the market for new siding? If you live within our service area, call us today at (877) 846-9566 to schedule your free siding consultation, or schedule online. We'll help you pick the best line of siding for your home and your budget.
