Insulated vinyl siding costs are about double traditional vinyl siding—but the energy savings are more than worth the investment. Learn more in our guide.
Insulated Vinyl Siding Pros and Cons: Everything You Need to Know
Does the performance of insulated vinyl siding justify its higher price tag?
Photo: onepony / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: onepony / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
Insulated vinyl siding is backed with a layer of expanded polystyrene insulation.
Insulated vinyl siding is durable and energy-efficient, and it can reduce noise.
Installing insulated vinyl siding can be up to 50% more expensive than standard vinyl siding.
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Upgrading the siding on your home is an investment that doesn't happen frequently for homeowners, but it’s a great opportunity to increase your curb appeal. Your siding options include insulated vinyl siding, an innovative product that has grown in popularity in recent years. Although pricey, it’s incredibly durable and long-lasting. Keep reading to learn more about insulated vinyl siding pros and cons.
What is Insulated Vinyl Siding?
Insulated vinyl siding is constructed from premium vinyl with an expanded polystyrene insulation backing. This added layer of insulation offers better protection against fading, warping, and other forms of deterioration. Due to its durability and high-quality materials, insulated vinyl siding is one of the longest-lasting siding options available.
Insulated Vinyl Siding Pros and Cons
Photo: Venerala / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
You've decided that vinyl siding is right for you, but what about the added option of insulation? While insulated vinyl siding has become increasingly popular since its introduction in the late 1990s, there are pros and cons to consider.
Advantages of Insulated Vinyl Siding
There's a good reason more than half a million homeowners have chosen insulated vinyl siding in their homes. This style of siding has numerous benefits for homeowners.
1. Durability
Most types of vinyl siding—and other types of siding like stucco, for instance—can't handle extreme temperatures and are susceptible to natural and man-made damage. But insulated vinyl siding’s foam backing gives it added strength and support, so it stands up better to impact, weather, and other types of wear and tear.
2. Energy Efficient
Vinyl siding without insulation has a low R-value of just 0.61, while insulated vinyl siding has an R-value of 2 to 2.7—a big difference. Homes that are not properly insulated can result in energy leaks that increase heating and cooling costs. But with insulated vinyl siding, the extra insulation can reduce energy costs, making your home more energy-efficient while also improving the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
3. Pest Protection
Standard vinyl siding is already effective at keeping homes pest-free, but insulated vinyl siding offers an extra layer of protection. The foam behind the siding also eliminates a common spot for termites or other bugs to create a home.
4. Reduces Noise
If you live in a noisy area and would love to reduce outside sounds coming into your home, insulated vinyl siding is a great solution. The added insulation dampens outdoor noise, allowing you to enjoy a more peaceful home indoors.
Disadvantages of Insulated Vinyl Siding
While there are valuable benefits homeowners can enjoy with insulated vinyl siding, those benefits come with a price.
1. Expensive
Insulated vinyl siding can be 50% more expensive compared to the standard vinyl siding cost. Part of this cost is for the materials, and another huge cost factor is labor. When deciding whether insulated vinyl siding is right for you, you’ll need to consider whether the extra up-front costs are worth it, considering how long the siding will last and how much it can help you save on energy bills.
2. Longer Installation Process
The process of installing vinyl siding is similar whether you're installing insulated or traditional siding. However, with insulated vinyl siding, there are additional steps, tools, and labor required. For example, to accommodate the thickness of the insulation, extra prep work on openings such as doors and windows may be needed. Find a local vinyl siding installer for an accurate quote for your area.
3. Limited Style Options
The unique structure of insulated vinyl siding has allowed manufacturers to experiment with new looks, like deeper colors and wider profiles. However, because insulated vinyl siding is a newer product, overall, there are fewer style options for homeowners to choose from. The limited number of colors and styles means it may be more difficult to find exactly what it is you're looking for, but you can still determine what the best vinyl siding color is for you within the options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because vinyl is a type of plastic, it can start to melt and then warp when it has been exposed to too much heat. While you can’t control the amount of sun your home gets every year, you can take some precautions to help your vinyl siding. Choose lighter colors for your siding, such as whites, off-whites, and beiges; these colors will reflect light rather than absorb it. You should also avoid oil-based coatings, which tend to crack more easily when applied to vinyl—this allows more heat to get to the siding.
While insulated vinyl siding has one of the highest R-values out there, there are a few alternatives worth considering. When paired with a layer of insulation, manufactured stone veneer has an R-value of 4.5. Composite siding also provides good insulation with an R-value of 2 to 4.
Insulated vinyl siding is very durable and can last for 20 to 40 years. The extra support that the insulation provides helps to make the vinyl siding less susceptible to damages from weather and other minor wear and tear. Vinyl siding on its own may be less durable than other types of siding like fiber cement, but when coupled with insulation it is stronger than usual.
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