The Benefits of Insulated Siding

Insulated siding refers to vinyl siding that has a foam core. There are other forms of siding insulation, such as used with fiber cement and wood. That process typically involves installing a foam layer before the siding itself, wherein manufacturers integrate the insulation into the vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is among the most popular siding materials in the U.S. Market share for insulated vinyl siding continues to grow because of all the benefits it provides, from energy efficiency to relative affordability.

Enhanced Durability

Superior durability is among the top reasons homeowners choose insulated siding over traditional vinyl siding. The foam core is rigid and provides strength to the panel. One of the weaknesses of standard vinyl is that it’s hollow. Impacts, such as rocks flung from the blades of a lawn mower, can create holes in it. Regular vinyl can also tear, bend, and rattle. Insulated vinyl has a much higher impact resistance. It provides superior protection against hail, stray balls, branches hurled during a windstorm, and so forth. That rigidness also makes the siding materials much less prone to swelling, warping, or shrinking.

Energy Efficiency

Your home’s siding is a key element of its building envelope, along with the roofing system, windows, doors, foundation, and so on. Insulated vinyl siding can improve the airtightness of a home by more than 10%. That results in less unintended passive ventilation, which can undermine both comfort and indoor air quality. A loose building envelope can contribute 30% of the average household’s energy consumption. Insulated vinyl siding also has a higher R-value, which measures thermal resistance. You can expect lower heating and cooling costs. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates savings as high as 20% annually.

Installation Requirements

A common concern among homeowners is whether insulated vinyl siding is appropriate for their homes. The answer is almost always yes because vinyl siding has few, if any, installation requirements. Not much changes with insulated vinyl siding. Insulated siding is heavier due to the foam core. That additional weight does add to the cost because it’s more difficult to store and transport. It does not have any effect on the structure of your home. Most homes can support fiber cement siding, which weighs several times more than insulted vinyl siding.

Longevity

When a homeowner invests in new siding, they want it to last a long time, and vinyl siding does. Most modern vinyl siding will last 40 years, and a 60-year lifespan with regular maintenance is not unusual. Most insulated vinyl siding will last 50 years. It also has a better chance of lasting 60 years and beyond. It’s because it’s not prone to minor dings like standard vinyl. Those dings can add up over time and require replacing entire panels or sections.

Total Cost of Ownership

Insulted vinyl siding does cost more. There are additional material and labor costs, but many homeowners will recoup that investment over the life of the product. Your heating and cooling costs will be lower. The siding product should last longer, and maintenance costs should be lower. Another consideration is the federal tax credit. The federal government allows you to claim a nonrefundable credit worth up to 30% of your total siding installation cost. Standard vinyl siding does not qualify for this credit, but insulated vinyl siding often does.

Enhanced Property Value

Another consideration is the value of your home and overall property. Siding plays an important role in that assessment. Insulated vinyl siding can improve that assessment through the added value of the material itself but also curb appeal. If you intend to sell the home, insulated vinyl will make it more appealing. Longer siding longevity and high energy efficiency are characteristics that modern homebuyers value greatly.

Noise Reduction

Insulated vinyl siding can reduce noise transmission by up to 40% over standard vinyl siding. Traditional vinyl siding blocks noises well in the range of 2,000 to 4,000 hertz (Hz). Insulated blocks noise frequencies up to 5,000 Hz. This makes a considerable difference in providing you with a quiet environment. This should be more than enough soundproofing for the average home. That said, if you live in a particularly active neighborhood, there are options. Many brands sell insulated vinyl siding that they treat specifically for even better noise insulation.

Curb Appeal

Vinyl siding in general has come a long way over the years. Manufacturers offer an impressive array of colors, and the vibrancy of those colors holds up over many years. There are also many more styles and textures available nowadays. You can opt for vinyl siding that mimic traditional clapboard, or you can choose a product that looks like wood, slate, stone, or another material. Does the foam core of insulated siding make a difference? It does. It allows for a much flatter and sleeker appearance for lap-siding styles. The greater density also provides more opportunities for design elements. You can see this with vinyl veneers that mimic stone. The insulated type typically offers greater variety and complexity.

Low Maintenance

Insulated vinyl siding requires little maintenance. You can clean it annually with just your garden hose. If you opt to pressure or power wash it every several years, there’s much less concern with damaging the siding. With insulated siding, you generally won’t have holes to cover or panels to replace. Still, if you ever do notice such issues, schedule a repair as soon as possible.

Protection From the Elements

Insulated vinyl siding provides better protection from sunlight and high temperatures due to the core that supports the outer panel. It better withstands strong winds and heavy rains. Insulated siding is much less prone to pest intrusions as well. With traditional vinyl, there’s a gap between the siding and the outer wall of your home’s structure. There’s nowhere for the pests to go with the foam core, and it’s not common that pests can bore through the foam.

Vinyl siding with insulation provides superior protection against moisture as well. Even if there are defects in the outer surface, the moisture can’t penetrate the foam. That means it won’t reach the structure of your house. Insulated vinyl siding also has a perm rating as high as 5.0. That refers to its ability to allow water vapor to escape your home to the outside. This helps to avoid mildew and mold growing within the structure of your home.

Would You Like to Install Insulated Siding in Alpha?

Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding has served homeowners and businesses throughout Alpha and the surrounding areas since 1973. Our siding experts install, replace, and repair all types of siding. That includes vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding, and fiber cement siding. Our expert roofers perform installations, replacements, and repairs, including storm damage. We work with asphalt shingles, architectural shingles, wood shakes, wood shingles, and much more. For commercial and low-pitch residential applications, we also work with materials like EPDM, PVC, and TPO. We also have gutter experts who design, install, replace, and repair customized seamless gutter solutions, including gutter guards and extended downspouts. Call Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding today or contact us online with questions or to schedule an appointment.