Is Foam Board Necessary Siding

As many things in building science go you my dear reader have to learn something.

Is foam board necessary siding. I thought i should show why continuous foam under the exterior siding is so important. One of the biggest questions homeowners have about house wrap is whether it can be installed together with foam insulation. I get asked if this or that in the in the cavity works as well as foam under the siding. The panels provide a continuous energy efficient surface.

It also serves as an air barrier. 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. 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. Almost any type of siding can be installed over the rigid foam cedar or redwood planks exterior plywood sheets cement fiber board or vinyl siding are common options.

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 studs conduct more heat than the insulation between them. The method works for both new construction and remodeling and doesn t affect siding and trim details very much. Why insulation under the siding is important.

Insulated foam sheets are also used as an insulated sheathing underlayment for exterior siding. In fact the two products combined make your home super insulated from outside wind and weather. 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 answer happily is yes.

By glenn hooper june 2 2015. Bottom line is exterior foam insulation is a good investment. 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.