If you’re in the market for new home siding, your first decision is what type of materials you’re going to use. Your second decision should be what type of insulating materials you want your siding contractors to use. Learn about the different materials that are available, how you can choose the best type for your house and why it’s essential to have a qualified contractor complete the work for you.
Different Materials For Home Siding
There are a number of different materials that can safely cover your home’s exterior. One of the most common types is vinyl, and for years, this was considered the best on the market. However, technological advances have added fiber cement to the product offering. Fiber cement is a mixture of sand, cellulose fibers and cement, and the end result is a solid material that can be painted yet also looks like wood. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners, especially those who are looking to improve the look and value of their houses.
How To Choose The Best Insulation For Your House
If you’ve chosen fiber cement, you’re probably going to want to add an insulating material during installation. This is because this type of siding has an R-value of under 1. This value measures the thermal resistance, that is, a material’s resistance to heat flow and a value of under 1 is relatively low. In years past, people who chose fiber cement used hollow insulation to increase the R-value, but now there’s a better option for homeowners.
This better option is full foam insulation. This foam is typically over an inch thick, and because it’s made out of foam, it provides better protection against the elements and also helps strengthen the exterior. This full foam insulation provides an R-value of around 3, which improves a home’s energy efficiency by quite a bit.
How It Works
Insulation works by eliminating what’s known as thermal bridging. Thermal bridging occurs when heat bypasses the pink insulating material and transfers through studs and other framing materials. It’s thought that up to 25% of a home’s energy can escape through thermal bridging if it is not insulated. Exterior insulation helps fill the gaps between the exterior surface and the interior walls, which keeps warm air inside during the winter and outside in the summer. It’s thought that a house’s thermal performance can be increased by over 600% just by including suitable insulating materials.
Why Siding Contractors Matter
Some homeowners might be tempted to try to tackle this project themselves, but this is a bad idea. A professional should install these types of home siding and insulating materials. An incorrect installation is one of the most extensive warranty voids, so make sure you’re working with a contractor who is highly experienced.
Fiber cement can look great, but with suitable insulating materials behind it, it can pull double duty. Leaving your home unprotected from the elements can make your energy bills skyrocket, so make sure you’re using the proper insulation and a qualified contractor to fully protect your house.