The Benefits of Siding Insulation for Your Home

Your home’s siding makes a real statement. Whether you’re building a new home or updating an existing one, the type of siding you choose makes a big difference in the style and value of the home. You may not realize the impact your siding can have on your home’s energy costs and even its cleanliness when it has proper insulation. The EPA estimates that heating and cooling costs can be up to 11% lower when a home is fully insulated.

That means more than just the attic and the crawlspace. It points to having a minimum of R-5 insulation throughout the house, including the siding. When combined with a quality house wrap, insulation can go a long way toward helping you avoid the pest and mildew problems that can develop in a damp home. Insulation will keep the moisture outside where it belongs and create a cleaner indoors without insects or troublesome allergens.

Here are a few reasons why siding insulation is good for your home.

How Should You Insulate Your Siding?

Several factors must be considered when selecting siding for your home, each of which affects how the siding needs to be insulated for maximum energy efficiency.

Siding Styles

The particular style and material you choose is a matter of personal preference and architectural style. For example, cement siding is easy to repaint if you want to change the home’s look later. On the other hand, vinyl siding will maintain a consistent color for years if you’d rather keep the same look for the long term. You might also consider stucco, stone or brick veneer, and wood siding.

Each of these has its advantages when it comes to maintenance and appearance, and each has its R-factor. Materials with a low R-factor will require more insulation than those with a higher calculation.

R-Value

R-value measures how well insulation materials resist heat flow. In simple terms, a higher R-value means better insulation, which helps keep your home comfortable. When it comes to siding, R-value is important because it helps your house stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Choosing siding insulation with a high R-value helps keep your home at a steady temperature and lessens the workload on your heating and cooling systems throughout the year.

Climate

Some siding options can offer very little insulation, which means your home might not stay as cool in the summer or warm in the winter. Adding insulation to your siding is a good idea to help keep your house comfortable throughout the year. New Jersey has a history of seeing extremes in temperatures, so our team of experts at Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding knows that siding insulation can save you money all year long. Even within the state, there’s considerable variation in climate.

Homes along the Jersey shore are subject to more abuse from regular coastal weather systems, but those further inland may have a more significant impact from weather blowing in from the west. No matter where you are located in the state, you’ll deal with pressing weather that calls for adequate insulation inside your home’s siding, regardless of the material.

Installation Timing

The type of insulation you add to your siding is largely determined by whether you’re adding insulation behind existing siding or if you’re in the process of replacing the siding. New installation of any material is always easier than retrofitting, which is the case with siding insulation. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no way to insulate behind your existing siding. There are several options for adding some R-value to your home without removing the exterior or interior wall surfaces.

The most important thing is to make sure that you add that important insulation to keep your energy costs low and your home clean.

Insulation Types

Now that you know a little more about the process of insulating your siding, let’s take a deeper dive into the various types of insulation that you can choose from. Before we do that, remember that expert advice is always the best information to use when making a big decision about your home. The team at Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding will always consult you before letting you commit to a certain material or installation process for your siding insulation.

Blown-In Foam

A blown-in product can be the perfect solution for homeowners who want to up the home’s R-value without installing new siding. If that sounds like what you need, here’s a little more about the process. It uses expanding liquid foam that swells into the available space before hardening. This allows it to fill in every nook and cranny easily and quickly. This expansion capability means that the material can be injected through a small hole. Foam can increase the wall’s R-value by anywhere from 3.7 to 6.5.

Foil-Backed Panels

Foil-backed panels are a common choice for adding insulation to new construction or new siding. While these panels do a good job of reducing drafts and limiting moisture, they do not provide much insulation value. Their R-value is only around 1. Consequently, you would need a high R-value on your siding for these to be beneficial.

Insulated Vinyl Siding

There’s nothing better than reducing work, and insulated vinyl siding can be the perfect solution for providing a beautiful exterior backed by a well-insulated interior. Insulated siding is essentially vinyl siding that comes with built-in insulation. This means we can install it all at once rather than putting up insulation and then covering it separately. It simplifies the process for us, speeds up the installation, and saves you time.

This material provides insulation up to an R-7 level, making it an excellent energy-saving choice. The cost is slightly higher, but its performance will compensate for it over the long haul. You’ll also need our expert installation to ensure no gaps between the panels. Another benefit is that insulated vinyl siding is more rigid, reducing warping in your home.

Fiberglass Batts

The familiar rolled insulation carries the highest insulating factor, as high as R-38. That’s a great boost for your budget, but the labor and materials cost of batts can take away some of that shine. Also, batts are not feasible if you’re not already replacing the siding.

Rigid-Foam Insulation Board

This is another one-step material that provides both covering and insulation in the same product. With R values up to 15, this can be an excellent option for us to discuss with you as we plan your project. The insulation board provides tough protection against the elements while establishing a beautiful look for your home.

Discuss Your Plan for Siding Insulation With Us Today!

At Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding, we’ve built a reputation in siding and insulation, roofing installation, repair, and gutter services. We’ve seen countless homes throughout Alpha, NJ, and have a solution that will work for your family’s budget and personality, with financing available on approved credit. Call us today to discuss how we can make your home cleaner, more comfortable, and more affordable.