Alside has launched a new composite cladding system, ASCEND, designed to provide an easier installation process, a lower total cost, and a beautiful high-quality finish for homeowners and professionals.
The cladding is available in 20 fade-resistant colors, and features tall exposures and a deep-grain wood look texture. It is nearly maintenance-free, according to the manufacturer, and joins with a self-aligning stack lock that requires no specialized tools to install.
“Not only is ASCEND a beautiful product, but it offers incredible value for builders and remodelers through cost savings, profitability increases, and productivity improvements,” says Shawn Hardy, senior vice president of Alside. “The goal with the development and launch of ASCEND is to provide at least a 10% lower total installed cost versus fiber cement and engineered wood while achieving the established and familiar look of real wood.”
A key component of the ASCEND composite is the addition of glass fibers, enabled through composite technology provided by Tundra, a material sciences company based in the Twin Cities. The (GP)2 Technology—glass-reinforced polymer and graphite-infused polystyrene—provide a Class A fire rating, strong wind load performance, and R-2 thermal resistance.
“Alside’s ASCEND Composite Cladding product is the first of its kind,” says Kurt Heikkila, founder and CEO of Tundra. “The proprietary composite technology enables the performance to expand traditional thermoplastics further into the building and construction markets.”
A number of matching trim, window, and accessory products are also available. alside.com
