I agree with most of the responses on vinyl siding - it's icky, cruddy stuff.
 But I can't help feeling that the preservation movement is unnecessarily
isolating itself by holding vinyl siding at arms length while holding its
nose.  The people who are butchering their nice old three deckers are
unlikely to be brought into the preservation fold right away, especially if
the price of admission is a hefty first time painting & repair bill.

I am surprised that (some part of) the preservation movement does not embrace
these owners and try to work out some guidelines for helping them do a good
(or just not-so-bad) vinyl job.

Sign me,
Anyway I Hate Krispy Kreme Donuts; Jack Frost (1950's Kansas City) Was Better