What Insulation Is Best Under Vinyl Siding

An honest professional vinyl siding contractor will tell you exactly what you re getting.

What insulation is best under vinyl siding.

I get asked if this or that in the in the cavity works as well as foam under the siding. Installing foam insulation under vinyl siding is a wise choice for homeowners who are seeking to protect their homes against moisture infiltration as well as improve energy efficiency. It also serves as an air barrier. By glenn hooper june 2 2015.

Insulated vinyl siding has an outer skin made of polyvinyl chloride or pvc just like standard vinyl siding. Many houses built today have a double wall type of insulation with fiberglass batts fastened between the studs on the inside and rigid foam board over. Continuous insulation under new siding has become a popular way to improve energy efficiency on an existing home because it addresses a problem known as thermal bridging. As many things in building science go you my dear reader have to learn something.

Most homes in the united states are built with traditional wood frame construction with studs every 16 on center. Installing foam board insulation under vinyl siding today more than ever before homes are being built with foam board insulation installed on the outside of the sheathing and under the siding. How to install rigid foam under siding. Insulated vinyl siding manufacturer reviews.

Alside prodigy insulated vinyl siding is backed with 5 of insulation the thickest in the industry to provide r 5 energy star qualified heat resistance. So if you re comparing proposals to install new vinyl siding on your home please be aware of this important fact. Behind this skin is a layer of expanded polystyrene eps that is form fitted to the stepped siding profile of the vinyl. Hot climates already have a lot of heat and vinyl siding tends to expand and contract with temperature changes up to 1 if the siding is made of recycled vinyl material.

The insulation is glued in place for a permanent connection. Why insulation under the siding is important. There are insulated rigid foam products that will increase the insulation factor but you ll pay much more for r 5 to r 7. Before installing vinyl siding over existing wood siding or wall sheathing the wood must be dry and in good condition.

Installing insulation over moisture or existing rot can create larger headaches later. I thought i should show why continuous foam under the exterior siding is so important. This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work. Here are the top brands making insulated vinyl siding and what they offer.

We will start with hot climates. Below are some of the design details along with the benefits.