Consider the Advantages of Insulated Vinyl Siding

• October 27th, 2010
• In: Vinyl Siding
• By: Rob Sabo
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If you plan to install new siding, you should consider the advantages of upgrading to insulated vinyl siding instead of conventional vinyl siding.

Insulated vinyl siding is premium siding with a foam layer bonded to the vinyl planks. The insulating properties of the foam reduce the amount of heat lost from the house. This helps reduce your winter heating bills. The insulation also helps keep your home cooler in the warm weather months, but the money savings are not as significant as in the winter.

Insulated vinyl siding can make your home quieter. The insulation effectively adds a layer of soundproofing to the exterior of your home. This can be especially helpful if you live on a busy street or a generally noisy neighborhood.

You don’t have to give up any of the traditional advantages of vinyl siding if you pick insulated vinyl siding. Insulated vinyl siding is as color-fast as regular vinyl siding, doesn’t need to be painted, and is actually stronger than conventional vinyl siding because of how the foam layer makes the planks more rigid.

The main disadvantage of insulated vinyl siding is cost. It is a premium vinyl siding choice and generally is more expensive than other choices. You also need to make sure your vinyl siding contractor offers insulated vinyl siding as an option.

Two popular insulated vinyl siding choices are available from Mastic Home Exteriors and Crane Performance Siding. The Mastic siding line uses Dow Styrofoam XPP foam. According to Mastic literature this insulated siding can improve the resistance to heat loss by up to 25% and reduce ambient noise by up to 50%. Crane offers the comparable Crane Board line of solid core insulated vinyl siding.

So, if you’re planning a vinyl siding project, make sure to ask your vinyl siding contractor about insulated vinyl siding.