House Insulation Under Vinyl Siding

Why do homes need house wrap.

House insulation under vinyl 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. To sum it up house wrap is a lightweight paper like material that is most often used to completely cover the house directly on top of the sheathing and behind the vinyl siding. And even though some manufacturers call it rigid foam insulation for the purpose of vinyl siding it basically has the same insulating value as a piece of plywood. The vinyl siding acts as a skin permanently adhered to the insulating foam core.

The adhesive used to attach the siding to the vinyl actually cures to create a permanent bond between the two components. These benefits make insulated vinyl seem like an easy worthwhile upgrade to conventional vinyl but there s a significant cost increase with insulated vinyl and many builders and homeowners question whether the price premium is. It also serves as an air barrier. In reality rigid foam board which sometimes comes in fanfold usually only has an insulating factor of r 1 and does not add any appreciable insulation effect to your home.

Learn more about this process in the video. Insulated vinyl siding is made of two primary components. Its primary purpose is to prevent air and water leaks that may have seeped past the vinyl exterior. This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work.

By filling the voids behind the siding s stepped profile the insulation makes the complete material stiffer and more resistant to warping and movement than conventional vinyl siding.