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Insulated vinyl siding

Last Post 17 Aug 2008 10:31 AM by Dan Morrison. 6 Replies.

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freakboy

New Member

Posts:51

07 Aug 2008 05:05 PM
Got a call from a friend who got a quote for getting insulated vinyl siding installed and wanted some feedback. His take was he was going to save a bundle since he has no insulation at all. While I think the siding has a good intent the joints obviosly are not taped and will not help nearly as much as a layer of rigid XPS on the outside before the siding goes up. Anyone out there have any feedback? Claimed R values for the products range from 3-4.5

Dont run thru the forest with your face on fire<br>

PanelCrafters User is Offline

Advanced Member

Posts:680

07 Aug 2008 07:48 PM
Posted By freakboy on 08/07/2008 5:05 PM Got a call from a friend who got a quote for getting insulated vinyl siding installed and wanted some feedback. His take was he was going to save a bundle since he has no insulation at all. While I think the siding has a good intent the joints obviosly are not taped and will not help nearly as much as a layer of rigid XPS on the outside before the siding goes up. Anyone out there have any feedback? Claimed R values for the products range from 3-4.5 No experience with the product, but I agree with you're recommendation that rigid XPS(taped) would be a great addition. R-5 per inch, and(hopefully) no air infiltration.

....jc<br>If you're not building with OSB SIPS(or ICF's), why are you building?

Brock

Advanced Member

Posts:599

07 Aug 2008 11:42 PM
We have it, but we also have Tyvec, then 2 inches of foam on the inside and then 4 inches of bat to fill the rest. I would agree though, for the R-value your better off with even 1/2 taped then siding. The reason we went with it is because it is much more rigid then regular vinyl siding giving it a more rigid look, I didn't argue because of the extra R on the outside.

Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal goethermal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 3kw solar PV setup, 2 ton air to air HP, 3400 sq ft

mlwjackson2 User is Offline

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Posts:1

16 Aug 2008 12:42 AM
I resided my home with the stuff myself (Polar Wall). While it does make some performance difference it is not very dramatic. There are obviously way to many open joints to have any siginficant effects on air infiiltration. However, I was able to do it as a one man job because the laminated insulation makes each peice stiff enough to cut place and nail without assistance. It also lays beautifully. The laps lay very tight and there seems to be much less expansion and contraction than with uninsulated siding. It also has a much more solid feel when touched or leaned on. It also appears to do a much better job of keeping rain from getting behind the siding. I recently replaced a patio door with double mulled windows requiring that I take down a section of siding to do the installation. Despite facing West (the direction from which we get the worst blowing rain) there was not the least evidence that any water had made it through to the undelying surfaces. I like the stuff but less for the insulation qualities than other characteristics.

Dan Morrison User is Offline

New Member

Posts:20

16 Aug 2008 03:19 PM
It seems to me that filling the vinyl with foam takes away vinyl siding's biggest advantage: built in back-ventilation. If you're looking for energy performance, use exterior foam taped at the seams. If you're looking for siding that's pleasing to lean against, choose wood or fiber cement. If you want low maintenence choose brick, stucco, or cedar shingles. If you want cheap, choose vinyl, but if you pick foam-filled vinyl, make sure you install it over a drainage matt. Dan TheGreenBuildingAdvisors.blogspot.com

Dan Morrison<br>Managing editor<br>GreenBuildingAdvisor.com

tapper

New Member

Posts:8

17 Aug 2008 10:07 AM
Dan, what's your view on steel/aluminum siding?

Dan Morrison User is Offline

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Posts:20

17 Aug 2008 10:31 AM
I haven't really dug in to metal siding much; here are some thoughts off the top of my head: It seems like a durable choice, but not maintenence free. It can dent. Any siding that comes in pre-determined lap heights will give limited flexibility in how you line it up to windows and doors. It's inherantly back ventilated, so the wall assembly can dry to the outside. I've never had it on a house I've lived in, but I almost bought a house with it and the paint was chaulky and wearing off. The person that bought the house stripped the steel off and put up vinyl. So even if it could last long, it didn't. I've never worked with it, but it seems like it would be a pain in the neck to repair dents. Dan www.TheGreenBuildingAdvisors.blogspot.com

Dan Morrison<br>Managing editor<br>GreenBuildingAdvisor.com