Steve Booz, Vice President of Marketing & Product Management at Westlake Royal Building Products, is responsible for leading marketing, new product development and innovation, product management, social media, and advertising efforts for Westlake Royal and its broad and diverse range of exterior and interior building products, which include Siding and Accessories, Trim and Mouldings, Roofing, Stone, Windows and Outdoor Living.
What makes siding and trim a better choice compared to other building materials?
Siding and trim are often preferred over materials like stucco, brick, fiber cement or wood due to their combined functionality and aesthetic appeal. Siding covers most of a home's exterior, providing protection against the elements—whether it’s rain, snow, or UV rays—while also defining the home's style. Trim enhances architectural details around windows, doors and corners while sealing edges to prevent moisture infiltration.
Modern siding and trim options like vinyl or aluminum are easy to install, durable and low-maintenance, making them a more practical and affordable choice. They’re also customizable, offering a strong blend of function and design, which can increase a home’s curb appeal and resale value.
What are the emerging trends in siding & trim materials?
Emerging trends in siding and trim materials are largely driven by homeowners' desire for stylish, low-maintenance solutions that are both durable and resilient. Homeowners want to enhance their curb appeal with modern, beautiful materials, but they also want to avoid the time and expense associated with frequent maintenance or repairs. As a result, we’ve seen a growing interest in aluminum siding, such as Westlake Royal’s Cedar Renditions, which offers the beauty of stained wood without the maintenance challenges or flammability risks.
Additionally, as climate change continues to result in more severe weather events, weather-resistant materials are becoming increasingly popular. Homeowners now seek siding and trim that can withstand harsh conditions like heavy rain, strong winds and extreme temperatures. This has led to a growing demand for high-performance materials that help protect the home over the long term.
Finally, the demand for customization and design flexibility is influencing material choices. Homeowners are looking for siding and trim options that allow them to personalize their homes, which has led to an increase in demand for varied textures, colors and profiles. Materials that offer versatility in design—without compromising durability or ease of maintenance—are becoming the go-to choice in both new builds and remodeling projects.
What are the emerging trends in siding & trim styles and colors?
Emerging trends in siding and trim styles include a mix of traditional charm and modern aesthetics. One of the key trends is the continued popularity of board & batten siding, particularly driven by the modern farmhouse style. This look blends rustic charm with a contemporary edge, bringing a fresh, updated feel to traditional homes. Westlake Royal has embraced this trend by introducing new profiles, such as the Celect 11” Board & Batten, which adds visual interest to larger homes with its vertical pattern, and the Cedar Renditions Board & Batten, a durable and easy-to-install aluminum siding that is moisture-proof and low maintenance.
Another growing trend is mixing siding materials and colors to create texture, depth, and visual interest. For instance, pairing modern siding with rustic stone veneer, such as Versetta Stone, can dramatically boost curb appeal. We’re also seeing board and batten combined with stone, brick or clapboard, especially in transitional designs that blend farmhouse, mid-century modern, and industrial influences.
When it comes to colors, timeless neutrals like off-white and cream remain popular for their versatility. However, deeper hues such as dark grays, earthy browns and vibrant blues are on the rise, adding a bold and sophisticated touch to home exteriors. When paired with high-contrast trim, these darker colors create depth and a dramatic, eye-catching aesthetic. An option like TruExterior Siding not only provides the authentic look of wood, but it can also be painted in any color, including trendy dark shades.
When it comes to the siding & trim segment, what challenges do you see remodelers facing in 2025?
In 2025, remodelers could face several key challenges, including labor shortages that may cause delays and increase labor costs, making it harder to keep up with project demand. Inflation will continue to affect both material availability and pricing, as well as installed costs, potentially putting pressure on project budgets. High interest rates and economic slowdowns might further discourage homeowners from starting new projects or lead to tighter budgets for renovations.
Additionally, meeting consumer expectations could be a challenge. Homeowners are increasingly demanding beautiful, low-maintenance and long-lasting materials, particularly in light of the growing concern over extreme weather events. Balancing these preferences with cost considerations can be tricky, especially as clients seek more customized solutions that often add complexity to projects. Remodelers will need to navigate these challenges while delivering on both aesthetic and practical demands in a shifting economic environment.
How do Westlake Royal’s siding & trim offerings help with those challenges?
Westlake Royal’s siding and trim offerings are well-positioned to help remodelers overcome several of the key challenges expected in 2025, such as labor shortages and rising costs. Versetta Stone, for example, features a panelized design with an interlocking tongue-and-groove system, allowing for easy installation with screws or nails in any weather. Versetta Stone’s lighter weight compared to natural stone also simplifies installation while also lowering transportation expenses, making it an efficient and cost-effective option for achieving the look of traditional masonry.
Additionally, our vinyl siding products stand out due to their easy installation and low maintenance requirements, improving jobsite efficiency and reducing labor demands. This helps remodelers keep projects on track despite workforce limitations. Our affordable and durable vinyl siding options, such as Royal Vinyl Siding, also mitigate the effects of inflation and tight budgets. By offering a cost-effective cladding solution without sacrificing style or performance, remodelers can help homeowners achieve their desired aesthetic within their financial constraints.
In response to growing concerns over extreme weather and the demand for resilient materials, Westlake Royal’s insulated vinyl siding options, such as Royal Haven Insulated Siding and Exterior Portfolio's CraneBoard Solid Core Siding, provide enhanced energy efficiency, weather resistance and long-term durability. These products offer insulating power that reduces energy costs, while their Chromatix Technology ensures long-term UV protection and color retention, safeguarding homeowners' investment.
With a wide array of textures, colors, and profiles, our siding options also meet homeowners' desires for customized, stylish solutions that enhance curb appeal. This blend of affordability, resilience and design flexibility allows remodelers to meet the practical and aesthetic needs of modern homeowners while navigating the complexities of a shifting economic environment.
What other resources does Westlake Royal Building Products provide to help assist remodelers?
Remodeling home exteriors can be exciting but also overwhelming with so many choices in materials, styles and colors. To make the process easier, Westlake Royal offers a range of design tools and resources to help homeowners, designers and remodelers create beautifully designed exteriors.
Westlake Royal’s exterior design visualizer tools, like HomePlay by Westlake Royal, Dream Designer, HomePlay Prime and Trim Visualizer, allow homeowners and home improvement professionals to preview remodels and customize siding, trim and color options before work begins. For added inspiration and guidance, Westlake Royal’s social channels and magazine, LiveAbode, provides style tips and design ideas, while our Annual Trends Report: The Best In Home Design, offers insights into the latest design trends, helping them stay ahead of the curve and create cohesive, modern exteriors.
Lastly, to support remodelers, Westlake Royal offers downloadable installation guides and training videos on our websites, WestlakeRoyalBuildingProducts.com and WestlakeRoyalPros.com, along with a dedicated sales team and specialists to assist with product inquiries and installations.
How do your loyalty programs fit into the resources you offer for remodelers?
Alongside the resources we offer to support remodelers, we offer a loyalty program called PROS Perks. Our goal is to create a rewarding partnership that helps remodelers succeed while enjoying the benefits of our high-quality materials.
PROS Perks is a free rewards program that is easy to join and allows remodelers to earn points by simply submitting their invoices online. Remodelers can then redeem their points for a variety of rewards,Visa Reward Cards and merchant gift cards, giving them flexibility in how they use their rewards.
To learn more about the siding and trim offerings from Westlake Royal Building Products, visit WestlakeRoyalbuildingProducts.com.