Vinyl is technically made from Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, which means it’s not biodegradable. Due to its durability issues, it needs to be replaced more often than others, like fiber cement. On the other hand, it can be recycled, unlike its cement counterpart. Additionally, since vinyl contains no organic products, it does not contribute to deforestation, unlike fiber cement and wood.

While vinyl may lose points for being made of unnatural materials, it regains some of those for having high energy-efficiency, especially when you select an insulated variety. Insulated vinyl can increase a home’s efficiency by 3-R and many varieties add points to a building’s LEED certification.

This is where distinctions between brands can really come into play. Some companies really perform their due diligence when it comes to building green, boasting zero-emissions goals and revamped facilities to reduce materials waste and carbon offsets. Whether your goal is getting your home LEED certified or just buying green, it pays to look beyond materials and into a brand’s reputation for sustainability.