Choosing which material you’ll use for your exterior cladding is a major decision. Not only will it have the biggest impact on your curb appeal, it also comes with a hefty price tag. Many Ottawa homeowners and builders are choosing insulated siding instead of traditional vinyl siding for their exterior cladding.
There are, afterall, a myriad of cladding materials to choose from, such as:
- brick
- stucco
- wood
- stone
- metal
- vinyl siding
- insulated siding
The team here at Renovaction have extensive experience in installing both vinyl and insulated siding on homes, renovations, additions and annexes for our Ottawa and Gatineau clients. In this article, we’ll share our thoughts on some of the pros and cons of installing insulated siding instead of traditional hollow vinyl siding. Fair warning: we’re heavy on the pros!
What is Insulated Vinyl Siding?
Insulated vinyl siding is a type of exterior cladding (covering) that is made from vinyl siding with form-fitted expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation permanently built into the back side of the double-four courses of vinyl siding. This insulation adds rigidity to the vinyl, resulting in exterior siding that looks and feels considerably more solid than regular “hollow” vinyl siding, and offers a number of benefits.
Pro: Increased Insulation
Insulated vinyl siding has a higher R-value for insulating your home, in the R-2 to R-6 range depending on the product you choose. This increased insulation helps to maintain indoor temperatures and protect against exterior temperature. This means that your home will stay cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter, resulting in significant savings on your utility bills.
Pro: Durability
Insulated vinyl siding is incredibly durable, longlasting, and low maintenance. It can withstand damage from:
- fading
- cracking
- warping
- hail
- lawnmower projectiles like stones and pebbles
- balls and pucks
- termites
- pollutants
- ice build-ups
Insulated vinyl siding is easy to wash with a garden hose and winter ice and snow simply slide off on their own. This increased durability means that you will not have to replace or repair your exterior cladding for decades to come, all the while maintaining its beautiful like-new appearance.
Con: Initial Cost
Foam backed insulated vinyl siding has a higher up-front cost than vinyl siding. For those looking for an immediate ROI on their investment, insulated siding might not fit the budget. For anyone who plans to stay in their home and let their equity build, however, the long-term gains from installing insulated siding will pay off.
Insulated siding increases the value of your home, lasts much longer, and saves you money each month on utilities, but it does take some time for this value to balance out the initial cost.
Pro: Moisture Protection
Insulated vinyl siding is also superior to hollow vinyl siding when it comes to reducing mould and mildew growth. The heat retention properties of the form-fitted expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation) will help to protect your walls from moisture build-up that often occurs with wooden or hollow vinyl sided homes.
Pro: Environmentally Friendly
Knowing that the materials used to fabricate insulated siding are 100% recyclable makes it a much more ecological and green choice.
Pro: Noise Reduction
For homeowners who live in particularly noisy and/or windy locations, another check in the “pros” column is that vinyl sided homes are quieter inside. The solid and seamless joints of insulated siding don’t rattle or whistle in the wind like hollow vinyl siding is prone to do, and it also protects from the noise pollution of nearby traffic, industry, commerce, or agriculture.
Pro: Aesthetic Value
Insulated siding is much more sturdy, solid and seamless than vinyl siding and it shows. With no overlapping seams, and a much wider choice in colour, texture and profile, insulated vinyl siding has a much more elevated appearance.
Con: Not a DIY Job
The installation of foam backed insulated siding requires specific tools, techniques and know-how that are often beyond the capabilities of the DIY jobber. If you plan to install your exterior cladding on your own, insulated vinyl siding might not be the easiest choice.
Trust the professionals
If you are looking for a vinyl siding installation team in Ottawa or Gatineau, do not hesitate to reach out to the team here at Renovaction. We are happy to answer your questions about the difference between insulated vinyl siding vs regular siding and the scope of your project as you renovate or remodel your home.
