Serendipity—an accidental event resulting in a positive outcome—was apparently at work in the formation of one of the most consequential materials in history. As the Pulitzer Prize winning book “Guns, Germs and Steel” pointed out, going back to 1800 BC, the discovery of steel is often linked to the accidental creation of a stronger, harder, and more durable material when iron was heated in furnaces with high carbon content.
Steel’s popularity is no accident. Steel has become the material of choice for an entirely new group of admirers – architects, builders and their clients. In fact, one of the important trends in home construction is the rise in the popularity of wood-grain, steel siding. One of the best of these products is Quality Edge Vesta®.
What This Means for You: There are 6 reasons that Quality Edge Vesta steel siding should be a part of your discussion about choices for residential and commercial cladding. They are its durability, its low maintenance, the siding’s exemplary aesthetics, its cost-effectiveness, environmental impact and fire resistance. To learn more, read on.
Acme is more than brick. The company is proud to offer an array of cutting-edge cladding products. To find out more, just click here.

Vesta in Gilded Grain
Similarities and Differences Between Quality Edge TruCedar® and Vesta
A previous post looked at the advantages of Quality Edge TruCedar for residential and commercial siding. Click here to read that article.
To understand the difference between the two Quality Edge steel siding products—TruCedar and Vesta—we asked Dan Kuster, Siding Brand Manager for the company, to help us out.
“Vesta and TruCedar share the same core advantages that define Quality Edge steel siding,” he said. “This includes a limited, residential 50-year warranty for peace of mind, top ratings for fire and impact resistance to protect your investment, and a Kynar® coating for exceptional UV protection that keeps colors vibrant for decades.
“Vesta and TruCedar all have the same class 4 impact rating, class A fire rating, and meet the rigorous Florida Building Code wind rating. In addition, every profile has a built-in rainscreen. This means the builder doesn’t have to worry about the additional cost of building a rainscreen behind other cladding material, which is the case with fiber cement.
“Once installed, neither product requires caulking or painting. It’s a true ‘set it and forget it’ solution that requires virtually no maintenance to preserve its beauty from the day it’s installed.
“Of course, we are always proud to mention that all our steel siding is manufactured in the USA, supporting hard working Americans – from the people who craft our panels to the builders who install our products.”
Kuster summarized the primary differences between the two cladding products:
Profiles and Surface Texture
TruCedar offers six distinct profile options, all featuring an embossed surface that creates texture and shadow for a traditional feel. Vesta is simplified with a single 5-inch plank face and a smooth surface finish, giving a modern and timeless feel.
Woodgrain Appearance
TruCedar uses an HD2 woodgrain print applied over its embossed panel, combining texture with two paint tones (high and low) to create a realistic, textured appearance.
Vesta features an HD3 woodgrain print, applying three paint tones (high, medium, and low) across six distinct panel designs within each woodgrain color. This tri-color process creates depth. When paired with the six variegated designs, it produces a more authentic appearance.
Material Thickness
Vesta panels are crafted from thicker steel than TruCedar, allowing the profile to sit more prominently off the wall for that strong, architectural plank look.
Different Solid and Woodgrain Options
- Vesta has 10 woodgrain finishes and 10 solid colors to complement any home or building.
- TruCedar has 7 woodgrain finishes and 17 solid colors for broader profile and color variety.
“Both lines deliver the same proven durability and performance,” Kuster noted. “The choice comes down to the ‘statement’ you want your home to make. Vesta delivers a smooth, premium plank profile with high-definition wood-grain variation with a modern feel. TruCedar offers a wider range of embossed profiles that bring a traditional look.”
What Makes Vesta Steel Siding Better Than Other Less Durable Siding?
“There are so many cladding types out there, and each offers their own advantages and disadvantages,” Kuster said. “Let me list out a few below that are benefits to steel siding versus an array of other products.
Vesta Has Tight Seams
Steel siding panels lock together, reducing gaps and creating a uniform appearance.

Vesta and TruCedar Have Superior Chalk and Fade Resistance
The Kynar paint finish resists the chalking effect seen on many painted or coated materials over time. This means there will be no white, powdery residue transferring to your hands or clothing when you touch it. Essentially, vinyl fades, and fiber cement needs repainting every few years.
Quality Edge Products Are Environmentally Friendly
Steel is fully recyclable, which makes it a more sustainable choice than vinyl or fiber cement.
High Moisture Resistance, High Fire Resistance, and High Impact Resistance
With Vesta and TruCedar, the ‘Big 3’ ratings are all wrapped up into one product! Steel siding performs extremely well.
Minimal expansion and contraction
Steel has far less movement compared with vinyl or manufactured wood, and that helps preserve tight seams over time.
Virtually No Maintenance Is Required with Steel
Both Vesta and TruCedar are designed to be virtually maintenance free, giving property owners confidence that their siding will retain its beauty and performance. There’s no painting, no caulking, and no costly maintenance cycles. Once it’s installed, it’s made to last.

TruCedar siding, TruVent, and Vesta siding
Vesta or TruCedar? It Comes Down to the Look
Once a homebuyer decides to purchase Quality Edge steel siding, what should be considered in the choice between these two products? Dan Kuster offers a simple suggestion.
“Because both Vesta and TruCedar have the same warranty, I believe it all comes down to the look, feel and design goals for the project,” he said.
“Vesta gives you a modern look with bold and contemporary color choices. The minimalist design gives the homeowner a true timeless elegance. TruCedar mimics the texture of real wood with the panel embossing and provides a more traditional look. With profiles like a single 6-inch and 10-inch board and batten, you can really achieve a craftsman feel.

This home features TruCedar in Ironstone and Vesta in Gilded Grain.
“Not only are the profiles different, but the woodgrain styles are very different. The Acme Brick sales associates have access to every color and wood grain profile. So, it’s all up to the customer as to what they prefer.
“Finally, there are options to fit any budget. With Vesta’s thicker gauge steel and variegated wood print, it comes with a higher cost. TruCedar can be more budget-friendly while still offering strong performance,” he concluded.

Vesta in Natural Oak
So Many Options!
Like brick, steel siding is almost indestructible. Both provide durability, fire and wind resistance, little or no maintenance, and a rich color patina. Architects, builders and homebuyers prefer MORE rather than FEWER options, so budgetary considerations and personal aesthetics drive the choices on exterior cladding.
If you’re planning a new home build, check out all your options for a stunning exterior, by clicking here.