The exterior of your home is the first line of protection against harsh outdoor elements. It wards off rain, intense winds, hail, ice, and snow. Many exterior materials are also designed to enhance your home’s energy efficiency by keeping conditioned air indoors and extreme hot and cold temperatures outdoors.
When examining the several types of exterior materials on the market, such as vinyl, wood, brick, and stucco, many homeowners are unsure about just how energy-efficient vinyl siding is for their homes.
Vinyl Siding’s Energy Efficiency
Vinyl siding has two layers, a titanium dioxide capstock and a limestone substrate, which are used to provide durability and strength while also preventing UV fading and wear. These two layers are designed with insulating properties to keep warm and cold temperatures from passing through either side.
To understand how much of an insulating property that the vinyl siding has, it is given an R-value measurement. Very low R-values signify low levels of insulation while higher levels show greater insulation capabilities.
Depending on the manufacturer, non-insulated vinyl siding has an R-value of 0.61. This value is greater than fiber cement, 2-inch stucco, brick, and stone exterior finishes. Exterior finishes add to the overall R-value designated by building codes.
Benefits of Vinyl Siding
For older homes, insulated vinyl siding can provide greater insulation and energy-efficient benefits, while non-insulating siding on newer homes may help maintain peak efficiency. These features allow you to save on heating bills in the winter as well as use less energy to cool your home in the summer by acting as a strong and durable barrier.
In addition to these advantages, vinyl siding also is less wasteful. Vinyl siding may last for decades with little maintenance upkeep. So a homeowner doesn’t have to constantly replace the siding every few months or years. Even when there is damage, very little waste is created as the siding panel is measured for an exact fit to your home.
Always keep in mind that vinyl siding and other siding materials should not be the only insulating barriers used on your home. The interior insulation, cladding, and drywall work together with the siding to further offer energy-efficient benefits.
If you are interested in getting siding replacement or repair for your Cincinnati, Eastern Indiana, or Northern Kentucky home, contact Brandstetter’s KangaRoof.
