A Web-based method for identifying matching or comparable siding materials
for use in construction repair, remodeling and the like. The method
employs an online computer network such as the Internet to provide access
to a database of siding materials organized by siding profile and grain
information--including such information not only for currently available
products but for discontinued products--from different siding
manufacturers. When performing a search for siding matching a given
sample, a user accesses the database, selects a desired profile based on
visual similarity between the sample and images of siding profiles stored
in the database, and then selects a desired grain type based on visual
similarity between the sample and images of siding of various grain types
for the selected profile. The database preferably also contains a color
specimen for each siding profile and grain type for visual comparison of
color.