PART 1: THE BASICS OF INSULATED SIDING

An oft-overlooked part of most buildings, siding plays an important role in keeping homes beautiful, comfortable, weather-proof and energy-efficient. There are plenty of siding options out on the market today, the most popular of which is vinyl. Vinyl siding in its insulated form has plenty of advantages to offer—a fact homeowners have recognized since it was first introduced commercially in 1997. And yet, surprisingly, it doesn’t get as much buzz as it deserves.

In this e-book, we’ll go over what insulated vinyl siding is, why it’s worth the investment, and whether or not it’s the right choice for your home.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Insulated siding is a type of cladding that consists of traditional vinyl siding and a rigid foam backing. Since its invention in 1992 by Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc., it has undergone several changes in design and manufacturing to allow it to better hold its own next to competing materials such as vinyl and fiber cement.

COMPOSITION

Despite developments in manufacturing, the composition of insulated vinyl siding has remained more or less the same.

PART 1: THE BASICS OF INSULATED SIDING

The primary component is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which gives the siding its rigidity, strength and impact resistance. Its backing, on the other hand, is made of modified expanded polystyrene (EPS). EPS is what makes insulated siding insulated, but it also adds impact and fire resistance—the latter by dint of its hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) content, which acts as a flame retardant.

APPEARANCE

Insulated siding comes in different profiles with thicknesses ranging from 75 mm to 200 mm, lengths from 4 feet to 16 feet, and widths from 6 inches to 21 inches. Various molding and cutting techniques are used during production to ensure a proper fit.

Once installed, insulated siding creates straighter sight lines than its EPS-free counterpart, which allows it to resemble wood more closely. This effect is further achieved through the removal of unsightly shrinkage seams. As for color, a wide range of options is available to help you find the best match for your home.

PART 1: THE BASICS OF INSULATED SIDING

The biggest edge our star siding material has over its competition is its built-in insulation. Most insulated siding manufacturers report R-values ranging from R-2.0 to R-5.0, while other materials can have R-values lower than 1.0. And we’re just getting started!

Below are more benefits associated with installing insulated vinyl siding:

Energy savings

Better insulation means reduced heat loss in winter and reduced heat gain in summer, both of which help lower your energy bills. According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, insulated vinyl siding’s ability to reduce thermal bridging can help your home earn the ENERGY STAR® label (under ENERGY STAR® Qualified Homes Version 3), provided other EPA requirements are also met.

Moisture performance

Questions about insulated siding’s moisture performance have been raised in the past because of the fact that it isn’t designed to be a water-restrictive barrier. But a study conducted by the Home Innovation Research Labs showed that insulated vinyl siding had some of the lowest sheathing moisture contents recorded because it allowed the material underneath to “breathe”.

PART 1: THE BASICS OF INSULATED SIDING

Durability and longevity

The EPS in insulated vinyl siding not only enhances its ability to withstand the elements but also makes it less susceptible to impact-related damage. Some manufacturers report service lives of up to 50 years for insulated siding products.

Less shrinkage

Insulated vinyl siding contains permanently flexible adhesives that allow for the normal contraction and expansion of PVC. That said, the fact that it has a rigid foam backing also helps prevent the siding from shrinking or expanding to the point of damage in the first place.

Sustainability

Traditional vinyl siding is considered eco-friendly because it is made from recyclable materials. But insulated siding has an even better cradle-to-grave score. Just like PVC, EPS can be recycled once it has reached the end of its life.

PART 1: THE BASICS OF INSULATED SIDING

Part One of this e-book covered the basics of insulated vinyl siding, while Part Two proved why it is an investment worth making. Here in Part Three, we get to the more practical side of things and talk about ways to make sure you’re getting your full share of the benefits we listed.

The effectiveness of insulated vinyl siding depends a lot on how well it is installed. If you have a siding project lined up, make sure your contractor pays close attention to:

Workmanship

Many siding contractors are familiar with insulated siding installation because it shares many techniques with traditional vinyl siding installation. But extra care must be employed when installing the panels around windows and doors. A study commissioned by the Vinyl Siding Institute found that insulated siding can help increase air tightness in homes by 11%, which translates to average energy savings of 5.5%.

Climate zone requirements

For insulated vinyl siding, ENERGY STAR® recommends a minimum R-value of 3.0 for Climate Zones 1 to 4 and 5.0 for Climate Zones 5 to 8. The area where you live may have further stipulations regarding insulated siding, so it’s always advisable to talk things over with your contractor so that you’re duly informed before you give the go signal.

PART 1: THE BASICS OF INSULATED SIDING

Retrofit considerations

If you’re having insulated vinyl siding installed over existing siding, make sure your contractor spends time removing anything that may leave voids or air gaps behind the new material.

You’ll notice that we keep going back to the role of your contractor, which is why the final takeaway for this series is about being careful when choosing which one to hire. You do NOT want to compromise the awesome benefits of insulated siding with slapdash workmanship or corner-cutting.

Remember that you’re the boss when it comes to your home. Choose a contractor who has extensive experience with insulated siding, offers competitive pricing and has a reputation for delivering great customer service. Finally, take the time to schedule an in-home consultation so your contractor can customize your siding solutions to your specific needs.

RBA of Western Kansas

855-871-9140Corporate Headquarters: 1222 10th, Great Bend, KS 67530

(620 ) 793-5434Showroom: 1222 10th, Great Bend, KS 67530

(316) 685-5533Showroom: 8033 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67207

(785) 266-0481Showroom: 5844 S.W. Huntoon, Topeka, KS 66604

(620) 275-2226Showroom: 606 E. Kansas, Garden City, KS 67846

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