Insulated vinyl siding has emerged as a popular option for homeowners looking for durability, energy efficiency, and curb appeal.
Vinyl siding has long been an affordable siding option. Now its cousin, insulated vinyl siding, is here to resolve some of the issues people had with regular vinyl. For all that it adds, there are also some unique challenges to consider before installing it in your home.
Key Takeaways
- Insulated vinyl improves energy efficiency throughout your home by reducing heat transfer.
- Insulated vinyl provides street noise reduction benefits.
- Insulated vinyl is more durable than traditional vinyl siding.
- It is low-maintenance and won’t require painting, sealing, or scraping to keep its appearance.
What is Insulated Vinyl Siding?
Insulated siding, also known as foam-backed siding, is visually similar to traditional vinyl siding. Inside, it has a layer of foam backing that adds insulation and protection. This adds additional insulation and noise reduction that traditional vinyl doesn’t.
Key Differences: Insulated Vinyl Siding vs Traditional
Traditional vinyl siding is popular because it is affordable and low-maintenance. However, if your home is in an environment with warm temperatures, high cooling costs, or loud street noise– traditional vinyl siding doesn’t do anything to help with that.
Standard Vs. Insulated: By the Numbers
Let’s dive into the science behind why insulated siding works so well. In the world of energy efficiency, R-values are used to measure an item’s resistance to conductive heat flow. This means the higher the number, the more insulated it is and the less energy loss you’ll experience. Standard vinyl siding has an R-value of just 0.06 – 0.09, which is considered poor. Insulated vinyl siding has an R-value range of 2.0 – 5.0, which is among the highest you can find in siding materials.
In addition to r-value, noise reduction studies have shown that a layer of rigid foam insulation can offer noise reduction improvements of up to 39%. That added insulation outside can create a lot of additional comfort inside your home. For busy areas where street noise is a concern, investing in an insulative siding can add to your home value. Show potential buyers how peaceful the interior of your home is, despite the location.
And one more important metric, the durability and lifespan of the siding, also shows that the insulated siding is superior. While traditional vinyl siding has a lifespan of 20 – 40 years, insulated siding has a lifespan of 30 – 50 years thanks to increased durability. That’s more time without worry about replacement, and years of value that make up for a slightly higher installation cost.
Insulated Vinyl Siding Benefits
Insulated vinyl siding has improved upon many of the aspects of vinyl siding that homeowners may have wanted to avoid in the past. In many ways, insulated siding is the best of both worlds. Enjoy the range of styles and colors available in vinyl siding with higher-end benefits.
Improved Insulation
By doubling or in some cases tripling the r-value vs. standard vinyl– you’ll notice lower energy bills, less heat loss, and improved comfort.
Better Energy Efficiency
Depending on the size of your home, improved efficiency could translate to hundreds of dollars a year in energy savings on utility bills.
Noise Reduction
That additional layer of insulation reduces outside noise significantly, making your home a sanctuary away from heavy traffic, street noise, or obnoxious neighbors.
Increased Durability
Your new siding will offer a longer lifespan than standard vinyl, boasting up to 50 years. The foam backing provides higher impact resistance than traditional vinyl and makes it less likely to be damaged by hail, rocks, or stray baseballs.
Insulated Vinyl Siding Drawbacks
Compared to vinyl siding, there are a few aspects of insulated vinyl siding that may give homeowners pause. While installation and cost can be more involved than a regular vinyl siding, look at the long-term return on your investment. You may save money in the long run with insulated vinyl siding.
More Complex Installation
Insulated panels are more complex to install than standard vinyl. That means the installation costs will likely be a bit higher. Because of those challenges, it is not recommended to DIY the installation on insulated vinyl siding.
More Expensive Upfront Cost
Insulated siding has a higher price tag per square foot of material because of the additional foam and thickness of the insulation. While standard vinyl averages $2-7 per square foot installed, insulated ranges from $4-12 per square foot. Professional siding installation costs vary from vendor to vendor, and it’s important to find a crew you trust to back up their work in the long run. If moisture is trapped during the installation process, it can cause larger problems down the line.
Not Ideal for Extreme Temperatures
Like regular vinyl siding, insulated vinyl can still melt under extreme heat, crack or become brittle if exposed to extremely cold temperatures, or incur damage from high winds or hail storms. If your area is prone to these environments, talk to a local siding contractor about what alternatives may work better for your area.
What Homes Benefit Most from Insulated Vinyl Siding?
Your home’s exterior is important. Just like standard vinyl, insulated vinyl siding is not for everyone. You’ll want to consider your home’s environment, your aesthetic goals, what your initial investment will be, and how much you’re willing to maintain.
Homeowners Who Want Additional Insulation
Wish you had better control over heat loss, summer cooling, or the humidity of your indoor environment? Switching from vinyl to insulated vinyl may be the improvement you’ve been looking for. The added layer of insulation can improve a drafty home and add a layer of protection to hold your interior temperatures steady.
Homes in Noisy Environments
If you live on a busy street and just want to be able to escape the noise of traffic, insulated vinyl may be just what you’re looking for. Whether your neighbor has a garage band or you live near a busy street, airport, or other noise-maker– insulated vinyl creates a sound barrier that can take the volume down a few notches within your home.
Is Insulated Vinyl Siding Worth It For My Home?
Maybe! If you live in a mild climate, don’t have noise issues, or are more concerned with keeping your costs low, you might be just fine going with traditional siding. If you’re not benefiting from any of the perks of insulated vinyl, the additional installation steps and initial cost may outweigh your benefits. Talk to a siding installation professional in your area to confirm what the best type of siding is for your home.
How does Insulated Vinyl Siding Compare to Fiber Cement, Wood, and Other Siding Materials?
Insulated vinyl offers improved insulation and noise reduction that is similar to more premium siding materials. But how does it stack up against other siding materials?
Insulated Vinyl vs. Fiber Cement
Both insulated vinyl and fiber cement are well rated in insulation, but differ in other areas. Fiber cement is more fireproof, stronger against extreme temperatures, and durable enough for coastal climates. When it comes to aesthetics, they both imitate wood, but fiber cement does it better and is considered to be higher quality all-around. Fiber cement does require more maintenance and periodic painting, while insulated vinyl does not.
Insulated Vinyl vs. Wood Siding
Wood siding and insulated vinyl siding are very different types of siding for homeowners with different priorities. Wood siding offers a beautiful, natural
aesthetic that adds to a home’s value. That said, it requires regular maintenance and upkeep to keep it looking great. Insulated vinyl is more cost-effective and low-maintenance, and is better for homeowners prioritizing energy efficiency. Wood is better for historic homes and for homeowners who are willing to take on more maintenance for that high-end look.
Explore All Siding Types
Want to compare how insulated vinyl siding stacks up against other popular siding types? We’ve compared vinyl, insulated vinyl, engineered hardwood, fiber cement, composite, wood, metal, and aluminum siding types to help you decide which is best for your home. Explore our blog on the top home siding options.
Why Work with Us?
At Aerotech, we bring over three decades of experience to each job we perform. Our gutter and siding experts will help guide you through each step of selecting your siding material, colors, and types, and see the project through installation and ongoing maintenance afterwards. Choose a siding contractor you trust, who knows your local climate, and who provides you with excellent customer service.
The Verdict: Insulated Vinyl vs. Standard
For homeowners located in moderate climates: If you would like to improve their energy efficiency or reduce outside noise, insulated vinyl is an excellent choice to upgrade from vinyl siding. We’ve covered many important factors in this blog, but encourage you to reach out to a professional siding contractor you trust to work with experts in siding installation to determine what siding is right for your needs.
Ready to Get Your Project Started?
Contact our team to work with an expert in selecting your home’s new siding. From materials selection to full-service siding installation, Aerotech is here for you at every step of the journey. Reach out today to get your project started!
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