Insulated Vinyl Siding
You have many great options when it comes to siding. Vinyl siding is still a very popular choice since it has a lower upfront cost than other siding material. It looks beautiful when new and you have many great colors, styles and textures to choose from.
Those different choices are available for both insulated and non-insulated vinyl siding. There is a wide variety of color options to choose from and you can either have your home stand out or blend in with the surroundings. It really depends on your preference and design ideas.
One of the things you should keep in mind when picking siding is the energy efficiency of your home. Insulation plays a big part in that. New vinyl siding offers some insulation but having insulated siding installed will increase that even more.
Benefits of Insulated Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a lightweight and relatively cheap material. That means it can also get damaged more easily than other siding material, like fiber cement. Hail is always a concern when you live in Colorado and you should keep that in mind when investing in new siding.
Insulated vinyl siding is still a little more budget friendly than some other siding and it offers more protection than non-insulated vinyl siding. The material is more durable and the insulation adds another layer of protection to prevent damage from hail.
Non-insulated vinyl siding forms a hollow between the wall and the siding, which makes it more susceptible to impact damage than the insulated version. The contoured foam insulation fills the gap between wall and siding completely, making it less likely to get damaged. That means that insulated vinyl siding will remain looking beautiful longer and will need fewer repairs.
Insulated vinyl siding is also known as foam backed siding. The insulation contours the siding and makes the vinyl stronger. The insulation and siding are glued together, creating a permanent bond and durable panels.
On top of that, this added support makes it possible to make siding that has darker and richer colors. Additionally, insulated vinyl siding can now be manufactured in flatter, wider profiles than before, compared to the non-insulated version.
The insulation foam adds support and makes it possible to manufacture profile lines that are sharp and crisp. They can even be made to look like wood. Additionally, the foam hides imperfect wall appearances and looks neater.
Insulated vinyl siding also improves the energy efficiency of your home as it provides an extra layer of insulation. This will mean utility bill and energy savings over the lifetime of the siding. It might be worth investing in this better siding now to save on energy bills over time.
This kind of vinyl siding has a higher R-value and reduces thermal bridging. The insulation will therefore increase the overall comfort of your home since it prevents cold air from leaking in or out, depending on the season. It will make it easier to regulate the temperature of your home.
One of the characteristics of vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding included, is that it cannot be painted. That means less maintenance, which is an advantage. But it also means you cannot change the color of your house without replacing the siding, which definitely is a disadvantage. Additionally, the color fades over time which makes your home look older faster.
The upfront cost of insulated siding is not much lower than the price of more durable siding. James Hardie fiber cement siding lasts much longer than vinyl siding and is less susceptible to being damaged. Fiber cement can be painted as well, which means you are much more flexible in your color choices and do not have to stick with the color you originally pick.
James Hardie fiber cement has a higher ROI than both non-insulated and insulated vinyl siding. That means when you are ready to sell your home, you will have a higher return than you do with other siding. Fiber cement is definitely the better long-term investment.
Insulated vinyl siding is an upgrade to vinyl siding. Choosing this upgrade may make sense for you. However, if you want to make an investment that lasts for decades and improves the value of your home along with its curb appeal, fiber cement siding is a better option.