Is Foam Board Necessary Siding

Bottom line is exterior foam insulation is a good investment.

Is foam board necessary siding.

By glenn hooper june 2 2015. One of the biggest questions homeowners have about house wrap is whether it can be installed together with foam insulation. Installing foam insulation under vinyl siding is a wise choice for homeowners who are seeking to protect their homes against moisture infiltration as well as improve energy efficiency. Why insulation under the siding is important.

And even though some manufacturers call it rigid foam insulation for the purpose of vinyl siding it basically has the same insulating value as a piece of plywood. The method works for both new construction and remodeling and doesn t affect siding and trim details very much. In reality rigid foam board which sometimes comes in fanfold usually only has an insulating factor of r 1 and does not add any appreciable insulation effect to your home. The studs conduct more heat than the insulation between them.

Considering how effective house wrap is and how simple it is to install behind vinyl it is a good idea to ensure your contractor includes it when siding your home. As many things in building science go you my dear reader have to learn something. I get asked if this or that in the in the cavity works as well as foam under the siding. The answer happily is yes.

In a typical situation. Using exterior rigid foam board insulation is a great way to make a building more energy efficient quieter and more likely to prevent moisture infiltration problems. Also during this siding process you may also consider asking your contractor to add foam insulation between the vinyl and the house wrap for increased r value. This eliminates thermal bridging which is the energy lost through wall studs.

Installing house wrap with rigid foam insulation. It also serves as an air barrier. In fact the two products combined make your home super insulated from outside wind and weather. I thought i should show why continuous foam under the exterior siding is so important.