Do I Need Foam Under Vinyl Siding
Below are some of the design details along with the benefits.
Do i need foam under vinyl siding. 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. By filling the voids behind the siding s stepped profile the insulation makes the complete material stiffer and more resistant to warping and movement than conventional vinyl siding. Many houses built today have a double wall type of insulation with fiberglass batts fastened between the studs on the inside and rigid foam board over. But herein lies the problem.
This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work. To secure the foam use two inch cap nails. If they use a backer board at all contractors will often call it and sell it as insulation board. But insulated vinyl siding has one unique feature.
Vinyl siding must never be applied directly to studs without sheathing. This will help your house wrap perform better and if you re already siding your house you may as well include it as installing it later will require a complete re siding. Apply sealant around windows doors and trim. Similar to blown in insulation insulated vinyl siding provides r value for improved energy efficiency.
By doing so however you miss out on the opportunity to add add energy savings to the project. Fit the rigid foam insulation snugly and seal all seams with the specialized tape. And just like flat insulating sheathings and fanfolds insulated siding also levels the wall for a better looking siding job. Some people use roofing nails but if a strong gust of wind gets under the siding it may not hold.
Vinyl siding can be installed directly over wall sheathing wood siding or stucco. The nails have a plastic cap that keeps them from damaging the foam. Insulated vinyl siding is standard vinyl siding with a backing of solid rigid foam insulation. Some manufacturers of vinyl siding do not recommend the use of drop in backers with certain vinyl siding configurations.
Contoured insulation that is permanently adhered to vinyl siding. Certainteed vinyl siding with the correct rigid foam board backer makes this house look great. Installing foam board insulation under vinyl siding today more than ever before homes are being built with foam board insulation installed on the outside of the sheathing and under the siding. With budgets tighter than ever now contractors and do it youselfers are tearing off the original siding and installing a thin foam board underneath claiming it will improve the energy efficiency of the property.