Do You Really Need Foam Board Under Siding

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.

Do you really need foam board under siding.

The answer happily is yes. 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. With budgets tighter than ever now contractors and do it youselfers are tearing off the original siding and installing a thin foam board underneath claiming it will improve the energy efficiency of the property. In a typical situation.

In fact the two products combined make your home super insulated from outside wind and weather. The foam board not only helps insulate the home but also provides additional stability and durability to the siding panel. If you choose to install house wrap with rigid foam generally it should go under the insulation not around it. Below are some of the design details along with the benefits of installing exterior rigid foam board insulation.

These premium profiles and colors can add some cost to your siding project. 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. 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.

Moisture can get trapped between the siding and the foam leading to paint failure and causing clapboards to cup and curl. This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work. But if you use wood clapboard siding foam sheathing can cause trouble.