The very short and sweet answer is Yes. Energy Efficient Siding Does Exist! It’s exciting news too because that didn’t always use to be the case. New sidings have been engineered for longevity and energy efficiency. They are also built and designed for ease.
Now that we’ve covered energy efficient siding does exist, we can now go into grades. This isn’t graded on your average A-F scale that you see in most classrooms. Most builders grade siding gets its energy efficiency based on the R factor. This is not to be confused with the X- Factor (the popular British television program. Nor is it to be confused with the U-factor which we use to rate windows. The R-factor, or r-value, rates how well the material insulates the interior of what it’s covering. Different types of siding all have a different R-value. It’s this number you should consider if you are looking for siding that will reduce your energy expenditure.
R-Value
When it comes to the number the higher the value the better it is at preventing air leaks. The lower the number it is a clear indication that it’s a poor insulator. Look at the chart below for reference.
- James Hardie: R-Value of 3.0
- Cedar Ridge Siding: R-Value of 4.0
- Insulated Vinyl Siding: R-Value 2.0
- Non Insulated Aluminum, Steel or Vinyl: R-Value of 0.61
- Brick or Stone: R-Value of 0.44
- 2-inch Stucco: R-Value of 0.40
- 1-inch Brick or Stone Veneer: R-Value of 0.11
Compared to old siding which is on most homes, new siding can keep your home insulated. You’ll get a more stable temperature when you are heating or cooling your house. Energy consumption, heat loss, and air loss are reduced with some sidings by up to 19%. That is a huge factor when you consider your entire house.
As you can see by the chart the top R-Values come from James Hardie, Cedar Ridge, and Insulated Vinyl Siding. It’s not only strides above the energy efficiency of its competitors, it’s factors better. These sidings are the best to consider when you are ready to replace. It’s also important to note that most sidings are insulating. The insulation can also protect the house better from water damage during storms.
What Siding Adds Back
A siding Home improvement project can add back 72.8% back of the cost you spend on the siding. That’s not even including the additional energy savings you are getting with a project like this. That 72.8 percent is all added back into the home equity itself. Siding, whether you are selling or not, is boosting you to be able to ask for a higher price when it does come time to sell.
Let’s talk about individual sidings now.
An exclusive we sell here at Conservation Construction is Cedar Ridge Siding. This siding is the most insulating. The engineers who designed Cedar Ridge Siding made it this way on purpose. In addition to saving you money on energy, Cedar Ridge is extremely impact resistant, is able to withstand winds of up to 160mph, is maintenance free in never needing to be painted again, and can reduce noise in the home by up to 40%.
Second is our James Hardie Siding. It is the unique way this siding is installed that makes it so special. Made of a cement and cellulose fibers, once it is placed, it is resistant to hail and strong weather. It too has a very high R-Value which makes it energy efficient as well. It comes in an array of colors too, so you know you’ll be getting the exact look you are going for.
Our Vinyl Siding is upgraded and better than before too. It is insulated and adds energy efficiency to a home. It’s unique in that it too is has an insulating layer placed before the siding is attached. It is installed right over existing siding which makes it the most cost effective on the market as well.
And finally we sell Steel siding for Colorado as well. It too is impact resistant, virtually maintenance free, and can withstand strong hail. Although we’d recommend it for those who are looking for this type of style, it is not as insulating as the aforementioned sidings above.
Information To Take With You From This Article
In conclusion, yes, insulating siding does exist. Here at Conservation Construction we sell the top 3 types which insulate the best. Insulating siding is easy to get when you choose a company with free estimates like Conservation Construction. Statistics on these sidings prove they can save you energy loss when it comes to siding. We hope this article was helpful in learning which siding might be best for your next home improvement project. Until next time . . .