Do You Really Need Foam Board Under Siding

The answer happily is yes.

Do you really need foam board under siding.

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. If you choose to install house wrap with rigid foam generally it should go under the insulation not around it. Today more than ever before homes are being built with foam board insulation installed on the outside of the sheathing and under the siding. In fact the two products combined make your home super insulated from outside wind and weather.

But if you use wood clapboard siding foam sheathing can cause trouble. 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. Below are some of the design details along with the benefits of installing exterior rigid foam board insulation. It also serves as an air barrier.

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. 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. This allows vinyl siding manufacturers to make insulated siding in wider flatter profiles and richer darker colors than before. 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.

This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work. In a typical situation. These premium profiles and colors can add some cost to your siding project.