Is foam backed vinyl siding worth the extra cost?

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Adding new siding to your home is a significant investment that you only make once or twice in your lifetime. In addition to giving your home an exterior makeover, this home improvement project is also an excellent opportunity to add some much-needed insulation. By paying a little more for insulated siding, you can enjoy many benefits, including a more attractive home exterior, lower energy bills and more comfortable interior temperatures.

When insulated vinyl siding first hit the market over twenty years ago, it was a big hit, and since then its popularity has only grown. This guide will help you decide whether this innovative product would be a good fit for your home.

What Is Insulated Vinyl Siding?

Is there any advantage to install insulated vinyl siding vs regular vinyl siding? How does insulated vinyl siding work anyway? Insulated vinyl siding refers to standard vinyl siding that includes a layer of EPS, or expanded polystyrene, attached to it. Like all siding, this material goes on the outside of homes and is typically constructed with high-quality vinyl to make it more resistant to fading, warping and other kinds of damage. During the manufacturing process, the contoured foam insulation gets attached permanently to the siding, making it more stable. It is one of the longest lasting siding products available and has been installed on more than half a million homes since it was first introduced on the market. But is insulated vinyl siding worth it?

Insulated Vinyl Siding: Pros and Cons

As is the case with all materials, insulated vinyl siding comes with both pros and cons.

Insulated Vinyl Advantages

Insulated vinyl siding has numerous advantages, and we will cover the most important ones here:

1. It Improves the Look of Your Home

If you&#;re making an investment as critical as new siding, you want it to look good for as long as possible. By adding insulation to your siding, it can improve its appearance by leveling the wall behind it, making the irregularities in your wall less noticeable. Furthermore, contoured insulation gives the siding panels even more support and helps them retain their shape.

2. It&#;s Durable

While almost all siding products are designed to make your home look more attractive, many aren&#;t made to protect it. Some products even create an empty space between the wall and the back of the siding, which makes the siding more vulnerable to damage from rocks, hail, baseballs and various other objects.

Adding contoured insulation to new siding provides extra support and helps it withstand the harsh elements, both natural and man-made. Vinyl is highly resistant to fading and many types of storm damage, with some brands being able to resist 200-mile-per-hour winds and other extreme weather phenomena.

And in the unlikely event that the insulated panels do become damaged, they are easier to replace than traditional ones.

3. It Keeps Moisture and Insects Out

You produce several gallons of water vapor daily inside your home from showering, cooking and cleaning. And if that vapor does not escape, it could lead to mold and mildew problems. While adding traditional insulation to your home will decrease the amount of energy lost, it can also prevent moisture from escaping. Many insulated vinyl siding brands, however, provide some vapor permeability, allowing water vapor to quickly and safely escape and protecting your home from moisture damage.

This material is also great for minimizing the risk of termites and other pests. Unlike wood, vinyl is inorganic and not a food source for termites. Also, the foam behind the vinyl siding fills in the gap and prevents insects from building their homes there.

4. Noise-Dampening Options Are Available

Some insulated vinyl siding products can significantly decrease sound transmission into your home, which is highly desirable for people who live in more crowded areas with heavy traffic &#; or next to noisy dogs.

5. It&#;s Energy-Efficient

It&#;s not uncommon for your walls to contain energy leaks that drive up your heating and cooling costs, and it&#;s the wood studs in your walls that are to blame. This is because heat goes right around the insulation and travels through the studs, letting energy escape through the walls. This occurrence is known as thermal bridging. Almost a quarter of a home&#;s walls is comprised of studs, which are not typically insulated. This is effectively like having an entire side of your house without insulation.

To combat this problem, the U.S. Department of Energy has recommended that homeowners consider adding insulation under their new siding. Insulated vinyl siding can save you significant money on utility bills by keeping heat inside during the winter and outside in the summertime.

Insulated Vinyl Disadvantages

This product&#;s drawbacks are few but notable:

1. It&#;s More Expensive

The cost of siding products can significantly vary based on the features and benefits you choose. Just like with cars, you can choose a lower grade car but add on lots of features, and it may end up being as pricey or pricier than an entry-level model of a more upscale vehicle.

However, generally speaking, insulated vinyl siding is pricier than its hollow counterpart. Some reasons for the higher price are:

• Premium colors and profiles. The foam board provides more insulation for your home and makes the siding panel more stable and durable. The lets manufacturers make insulated siding that is wider and flatter and with darker, more vibrant colors than would be possible otherwise. The wide variety of high-quality colors and profiles increase the price of your siding.
• More steps to install. The foam insulation makes this product thicker than regular siding, which means it requires more steps or special accessories, which also may make it more expensive.

2. The Installation Is More Labor-Intensive

Due to the thickness of the foam insulation, insulated vinyl siding takes longer to install than traditional vinyl siding. However, for those who have had experience installing vinyl siding, the process is not very different and only requires a few changes to be made.

For one, you will need a few more tools. Whereas you can cut traditional vinyl siding with hand snips, you will need a table or hand saw to cut insulated vinyl siding. When cutting with the saw, use a siding-specific blade or a fine-tooth blade. If using a fine-tooth blade, make sure to install it backward on the saw.

Also, more build-out will be required around the doors, windows and other openings. This is because of the insulation&#;s thickness, which causes the siding to project farther out. Make sure you use accessories that have wide receiving pockets so that they can accept the insulation&#;s&#; full thickness.

When delivering the siding to the job site, larger boxes, or more boxes, will be required. Due to the foam&#;s extra thickness, fewer pieces will be able to fit in a standard box.

How Much Does Insulated Vinyl Siding Cost?

Below are some factors that may influence the price of your project:

• Where your home is located
• The size of your home
• Whether you decide to install it yourself
• The siding that is currently on your home
• Previous damage to your home, which is discovered once the old siding is removed
• The number of doors, windows and other openings that the installers must work around
• The quality of the profiles used, such as board and batten or shake
• The quality of shades chosen, including premium tones, dark colors or lighter colors
• The choice of accent trim package
• The time of year of the installation
• Whether resistive barriers are added, such as housewrap
• Whether features are added to protect against pests or moisture
• The R-value of the insulation
• The installation company&#;s qualifications, such as certifications and insurance

Insulated vinyl siding is more expensive because it&#;s heavier and contains more material, so it is more costly to ship and requires more steps to install. Insulated siding is also available in more profiles and colors, which makes it more costly to manufacture.

Despite the higher initial cost, however, insulated vinyl siding is known to provide significant savings over its lifetime, including lower energy bills and protection from impact damage.

Explanation of R-Value

When comparing different insulation products, one of the most critical considerations is R-value, which is an objective measure of insulation&#;s performance.

More specifically, R-value represents the ability of a material to restrict heat flow and is based on a term called R-factor. The R-factor of a material is determined in a laboratory by placing a test specimen of the material between two plates and measuring the heat flow through it. Typically, the sample consists of one square foot of material and has a thickness of exactly 1 inch, and its two surfaces have a temperature difference of 1 degree F. During this test, the thermal conductivity of the material is determined, which is expressed as the rate of heat flow in British thermal units (BTUs) per hour.

The product&#;s R-value, then, is determined by multiplying its R-factor by the thickness of the product used. For example, if an insulation product has an R-factor of 3.8 and 3.5 inches of the product are used, then the R-value is 13.3. The higher the R-value of the product, the better the insulation.

Does Insulated Vinyl Siding Work?

Insulated vinyl siding has been proven to provide many benefits, namely:

• Vinyl siding typically has an R-value measurement of 0.61, resulting in an increase in R-value of 2 to 2.7
• A decrease in thermal bridging, which is the escape of heat through non-insulation materials such as studs
• More solidity to the vinyl siding

The insulation gives a solid look and feel to the siding. Whereas traditional, non-insulated vinyl rattles in the wind and can be easily pushed in due to the hollow spaces behind it, these issues are rare with insulated vinyl.

You can also expect more benefits soon. Building Technologies Office is currently developing an option that integrates vinyl siding with insulation, which is anticipated to be both cost-effective and energy efficient. This material has the potential to save over a quarter of a quad of energy, which is equivalent to the energy found in 2 billion gallons of gasoline.

Is Insulated Vinyl Siding Worth the Cost?

When looking at the insulated vinyl siding pros and cons, we are certain that the benefits outweigh the costs. We believe that insulated vinyl siding is a wise investment for many reasons. Insulated vinyl boosts R-value, reduces thermal bridging, and it is easy to maintain. You&#;ll never have to paint, stain or caulk it, and because of its exceptional durability, it will retain its attractiveness for a long time to come.

For more Foam Back Vinylinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

This product is also believed to boost the curb appeal to your home. In Remodeling Magazine&#;s Cost vs. Value report, researchers calculated how much of the costs of certain home improvement projects are recouped by the value that the projects add to the home. The report in showed that replacing siding recoups 76.4 percent of the costs, which is considerably better than many other remodeling projects such as a bathroom addition (53.9 percent) and a major kitchen renovation (65.3 percent). So, if your new insulated vinyl siding costs you $20,000, you can expect the project to add $15,280 in value to your home, so think of the real cost as only $4,720.

Insulated vinyl siding also provides significant energy savings. While vinyl siding manufacturers tend to charge around 50 percent more their insulated products than their non-insulated options, homeowners recoup this additional cost over time through cheaper energy costs. The amount of time needed to recover the extra cost is referred to as the payback time or payback period.

It is thought that insulated vinyl siding will be particularly cost-effective for you if you live in a region with extremely hot or cold temperatures. In these climates, the payback time could be as short as five years. If you live in a more moderate climate, on the other hand, recouping the higher cost of materials through energy savings may take 10 years or longer. However, regardless of the climate you live in, if you are dedicated to heating and cooling your home in the greenest way possible, insulated vinyl siding can still be a beneficial investment, especially if it&#;s coupled with other eco-friendly, energy-saving upgrades.

Contact Brothers Aluminum Corp.

By now, you may have already made the big decision to install insulated vinyl siding on your home. However, there&#;s still another equally important thing to decide on &#; the company you hire to install it. If you live in the Greater New York City area, including Long Island and Westchester County, Brothers Aluminum Corp. is the company you want to handle this remodeling project. Our family-owned company has serviced over 60,000 homes in our 40 years of business, and we are committed to providing customers with the highest-quality customer service possible, which includes premium products, professional workmanship, free price assessments, 100 percent financing and much more.

In addition to vinyl siding, we also offer roofing, entry door and window replacement, masonry and interior redesign. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, feel free to reach us by at 1-800-639- or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to your business!

When choosing new siding for your home, the options can be overwhelming. If you&#;re considering insulated vinyl siding, you may have questions about the higher cost.

Is the extra cost worth it? What are the benefits of insulated siding? This article will explain insulated siding, the benefits, the price, and more to help you make the best decision for your house.

What Is Insulated Siding?

First, you must understand what insulated siding is. Most modern homes use some type of vinyl siding, and one of the most popular types is insulated vinyl siding. From the outside, the insulated vinyl siding looks just like traditional vinyl siding, but it has a solid foam layer behind the vinyl that adds insulation to your home.

Most insulated vinyl siding uses polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on the outside with a foam backing made from a thick, dense material called expanded polystyrene (EPS). EPS is perfectly fitted to the PVC siding, and the two layers stay bonded using super-strong glue.

A slight difference in appearance between insulated and traditional vinyl siding is how the slat sits against the house. Traditional siding juts out in a step-like manner, adding dimension to the outside of your home, while insulated vinyl lays flat against the house. Many prefer the flat look to the staggered slats, as it&#;s more sleek and seamless.

Unlike wall insulation, siding insulation is relatively thin. The foam backing is typically only 1.25 inches thick. However, the EPS has excellent insulation properties, so even an inch can improve thermal insulation drastically and add value to your property.

Benefits of Insulated Siding

Insulated vinyl siding has many benefits to consider. Below are the top eight reasons you should get insulated vinyl siding for your home.

Energy Efficient

Possibly the most substantial benefit, insulated vinyl siding can improve your energy efficiency, helping the planet and lowering your monthly energy bills. The layer of EPS helps keep heat in your home when it&#;s cold outside and out of your home when it&#;s warm outside.

So your HVAC system doesn&#;t have to work as hard to regulate the temperature. This benefit helps you save on utility bills long-term, so many people find this advantage worth the cost. Studies show that insulated siding can save you as much as 5% on your utility bills, which adds up over the years, so the siding pays for itself!

Durable

Traditional siding is much less durable than insulated siding because it is thinner and more flexible. The steeped profile of traditional siding also leaves empty spaces against the wall foundation.

These exposed areas are vulnerable to damage, especially during harsh weather conditions. But the flush design of insulated siding protects your home more thoroughly. Insulated siding can also last longer and withstand more wear and tear because of its design.

Appearance

Many people think traditional and insulated vinyl siding look the same, but they are different in appearance. The flat look of insulated siding is more desirable for many, as it gives your house a more sleek and modern appearance.

The insulation can also help hide any imperfections in the siding because it provides an even cushion. But traditional siding may look wonky if the wall underneath is not perfectly flat. Most agree that insulated vinyl siding improves your home&#;s aesthetic and curb appeal.

Reduces Moisture

You produce a large amount of water vapor inside your home. Water vapor builds up inside your house from cooking, cleaning, and showering. The vapor needs to escape somehow, or the moisture will remain in the home, leading to mold and mildew.

Despite the density and durability of EPS insulation, it&#;s designed with vapor permeability, allowing the water vapor to escape. On the other hand, traditional siding can trap moisture, leading to bacteria growth.

Blocks Bugs

As mentioned, traditional vinyl siding leaves spaces between the steeped slats vulnerable to the elements, including bugs. Spiders, ants, and other creepy crawlers can find their way into your home via these unprotected spots on your wall.

They can also build their nests in these tiny and safe spaces. But the flush style of insulated siding leaves no space for them to get in or construct a nest. PVC and EPS are non-organic materials, so termites and similar insects cannot eat their way in.

Can Reduce Noise

Some insulated siding comes with noise-dampening options. If you have noisy neighbors or live in a high-traffic area where you can hear everyone who drives by, insulated siding can help!

People who live near airports, highways, concert venues, or sports arenas can significantly benefit from the noise-dampening siding. It&#;s also helpful if you have a dog who loves to bark at everything that moves outside, as this can help them relax more and prevent them from disturbing your neighbors.

Increases R-Value

Unless you&#;re in the industry or are an insulation expert, you probably don&#;t know what R-value is. The R-value of your home refers to the insulation properties and capabilities. Dividing the temperature difference between the warm and cold area on either side of a barrier by the heat flux through the barrier determines the R-value of a building.

Essentially, this value determines how heat exits or enters your home through the barriers in place. For example, the R-value of your front door is likely lower than the R-value of your roof, which is well-insulated. Insulated siding substantially adds to the R-value of your home, which also increases the resale value.

Cost Breakdown

Estimating the cost of installing insulated vinyl siding on your home is difficult because there are many factors to consider.

On average, quality insulated vinyl siding costs $8 per square foot. In addition, installation costs an average of $6 per square foot, meaning you will pay around $14 per square foot of external space. Most people do not know the exterior square footage of their homes&#; size, but insulated vinyl siding is typically 50% more expensive than traditional vinyl siding.

As mentioned, many factors influence the cost. The following considerations are likely to affect the cost of installing insulated vinyl siding:

• Location
• Time of year
• Home&#;s size
• Current siding and removal
• Previous damage
• Doors, windows, and other openings
• Quality of siding
• Custom colors
• Accent trims
• Added protection features
• Installation company

It&#;s nearly impossible to predict the cost without a professional quote because so many factors come into play. You also may be unaware of damage beneath your current siding and all damage will need fixing before the new siding can go on. If you want an estimate, you can contact a professional construction company like Advantage Construction.

So, Is Insulated Siding Worth It?

In the end, the extra cost of insulated vinyl siding is well worth the extra money. This type of siding adds significant value to your home and can help you save money on utility bills, mold removal, pest extermination, and more.

The initial investment may be intimidating, but insulated vinyl siding can help you save money in the long run and protect your home.

If you are ready to increase your home&#;s R-value and appeal, contact Advantage Construction today for a free quote.

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