Boomers are increasingly and unabashedly choosing vinyl siding for their new homes, or to give their existing homes a muchneeded facelift, with confi dence that this familiar material will see them through their golden years in style.

Boomers literally grew up with vinyl (a generic term for material made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, resin), which came onto the market in the late 1950s. But unlike hula hoops and wood-grained station wagons, vinyl evolved technologically and aesthetically.

Vinyl siding was fi rst introduces to the exterior cladding market in the early 1960s and steadily increased in popularity over the next four decades because of its durability, versatility and ease of maintenance. True to its generation, vinyl siding matured to exhibit exceptional impact resistance, rigidity and strength. Forty years of improvements has produced a new generation of vinyl siding that is extremely durable and fade resistant. In addition, technology has led to the creation of new profi les and fi nishes that mimic wood, such as textured cedar, and the availability of a broad palette of colors, profiles and trims.

Alcoa Home Exteriors also off ers baby boomers a virtually limitless color palette with its DreamColor tool. Homeowners request siding that is made to match their favorite paint chip or, in the case of a remodel, their current siding color. For more information about DreamColor and to experience the tool yourself, visit www.alcoahomes.com.

Will my home age as gracefully as me?
According to a study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), an overwhelming percentage of Americans aged 45 and older-more than 83 percent want to stay in their current homes long after they retire. Yet even the most easy-going aging hipsters want their homes to stay in step with the times. That means increased amenities inside and long-lasting good looks on the outside.

In addition, baby boomers want a maintenance-free lifestyle, allowing them to travel, socialize and pursue active lifestyles, according to Kent Conine, 2003 President of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the co-sponsor of a study on housing trends among boomers and seniors.

More than 100 million people (the Baby Boomers) will be 50 years or older by 2010. As baby boomers and their homes age, a close look at the evolution of vinyl siding demonstrates why this old-time favorite has become an icon of the current era and how it will stand the test of time for many years to come.