Quite a lot is said in the siding company sphere about the insulatory qualities of certain siding types. While it’s great that the topic is discussed so frequently, as the material used does have an effect on the final product, what type of siding used isn’t the only thing that determines its insulatory properties—what’s underneath the siding counts, too, and in more ways than you might think!
Below, Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors, your Sauk Rapids siding contractors, explains the insulatory and protective importance of your sub-siding layer, as well as the prime materials for ensuring your siding’s ultimate performance.
The Importance of What’s Unseen
Why can’t siding just be installed directly onto your home, you may ask? There are quite a few reasons. For one, siding isn’t entirely waterproof, no matter what your contractor tells you.
The material itself is, of course; why else would it be used to protect your home? The “chinks” in the armor, so to speak, come from the installation job—and if you’re having lap siding installed, it’s simply the nature of the method.
While siding is installed in such a way that it easily sheds water, it’s impossible to entirely waterproof them due to the joints, laps, and, with certain siding types, the flexible nature of the material. That’s why an ethical contractor will suggest a sturdy sublayer to help protect the insulation.
Making Things Sturdy
Secondly, it’s always nice to have an extra level of protection. If you don’t spot a crack in your siding, for example, without further protection underneath you could quickly have a mold issue on your hands. Given that your whole home acts like a system, too—your roof affects your gutters which affects your siding and so forth—potential moisture damage can come from all sorts of directions.
Saving you Money
Finally, of course, the better insulation your home has, the better it’s able to regulate its temperature. Who doesn’t want to save money on their energy bill? Plus, it also helps keep your AC and furnace happier, as they don’t have to work as hard in the extreme months. Your home will be so much more comfortable as a result.
What Sort of Insulation Should I Use?
Every contractor has their own favorite brand, and their personal method they use to insulate and protect their siding. A few include
- Blow insulation
- Rigid boards
- Insulated siding
- House wraps
But what’s the best? We at Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors, as both lapped and seamless siding experts, have got this down to a science; you’ve got a couple options. Here’s what we recommend for your insulatory siding sublayer:
A Whole House Wrap
This is just as it sounds: a sheet of material that surrounds your house, sometimes providing insulatory properties. Depending on the brand, it can be made out of many things: polyolefin fiber, building paper, and tar paper, to name a few.
Each material has its own unique properties and protects your home in various ways, but regardless of its insulating prowess or lack thereof, having a sturdy base layer really helps to stop any wayward moisture that makes its way through your siding—before it can spiral into a mold problem.
Insulation Board
A more beefy alternative to whole-house wrap, insulation board comes in stiff sheets that are cut to fit the given installation. They have great insulatory properties, and they can also be a great choice for those looking to maximise the energy efficiency of their home. Air leaks, wayward moisture, and the summer heat are simply no match for this stuff!
Do I Have to Have Siding Insulation?
We get it: money’s tight these days, and with all the gorgeous types of siding available, you might just be tempted to pour what you have into that. While all the siding types we sell are as sturdy as they come, you need some form of insulation and protection in order to keep your home safe.
Water damage isn’t anything to laugh at. It majorly compromises a home’s structural integrity, leaving walls and ceilings sagging, mushy, and stained. Aside from that, it opens up the door to mold issues—which is not something you want to mess with. A sublayer with insulative properties also keeps your family warmer in the harsh winter should your furnace unfortunately fail.
All around, a solid sublayer is a solid investment, and it’s one that you need to have with a solid installation job. Alongside your siding, it’s what keeps your home standing strong.
Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors: Your Preferred Siding Professionals
Our Sauk Rapids team is ready and waiting to give your home the siding installation of your dreams. And while we’re at it, we can give your home a whole new roof as well—as roofing contractors, we’re unparalleled! No matter your exterior need, we’re here for you; give us a call today at 320-252-9086.