Most Energy Efficient House Sidings
It’s always a good idea to choose energy-efficient siding for your house as it can reduce your carbon footprint, save you money by lowering your energy bills, and put less strain on your HVAC system. Not only that, but energy-efficient siding usually requires less maintenance, and it can raise the value of your home.
There are lots of different sidings available for your house and these are the most energy-efficient ones.
H2: Vinyl
Vinyl siding is a great choice for your home as it is a green product and it doesn’t need to be caulked or painted. It is also easily recyclable. By using vinyl siding you can create the same look for your home as using other cladding types such as stone, slate, or wood, but for a much cheaper price.
Vinyl is an excellent material to use for siding if you want to make your home more energy-efficient as you can easily use it with insulated siding. Insulated siding is a type of foam that will add an extra layer of insulation to your house. If you use insulated siding with vinyl then it can greatly reduce outside noise - usually by around 40%.
Not only that, but vinyl is strong and durable and can stand extreme weather conditions such as continual rain and high temperatures, and as it is so strong it can take winds of over 100mph without being damaged.
Vinyl siding doesn’t require any maintenance as, unlike wood, it doesn’t crack or warp and cannot be damaged by insects or birds such as woodpeckers. If you need to then you can just hose it down with water and soap to keep it clean.
Pros
l Cost-effective - it is inexpensive and can be retrofitted.
l Thermally resistant - this makes your home far more energy-efficient, especially if you also use foam insulated siding with it.
l There is a wide variety of colours and styles available.
l Weather-resistant - can stand up to extremes of weather and doesn’t need any maintenance.
l Recyclable
Cons
l Repainting it can be difficult and void the warranty.
l If it does get damaged then it will usually need the whole panel replacing.
l Only lasts 10 to 20 years before needing to be replaced.
H2: Wood
Cedar siding is widely used and is a popular choice for several reasons. It is extremely energy-efficient, is appealing to look at, gives good protection from the weather, and is strong and durable. As it is biodegradable it is also eco-friendly and cedarwood doesn’t need much processing or treatment to get it ready to use. Cedarwood siding is an excellent insulator as it keeps it warm in the winter by preventing heat from escaping, and also keeps it cool in the summer by keeping the cool air in.
Pros
l Naturally insulating so makes it an energy-efficient choice.
l Aesthetically appealing.
l A wide variety of paints and stains available.
l Eco-friendly
l Long-lasting
Cons
l Requires maintenance such as repainting and staining to prevent rotting and warping. If you don’t maintain it regularly then it could end up needing bigger and more expensive repairs.
l Not suited to hot areas as it is a fire risk.
l Expensive
H2: Stucco
Stucco is made from Portland cement, limestone, sand, water, and additives that improve the strength and flexibility of the siding. It is strong and durable - so much so that it regularly comes with a warranty of 15 to 20 years. In fact, if it is properly looked after then it can actually last much longer, even for 100 years or more.
Stucco siding can be used in any climate so long as it is well-maintained, but sometimes moisture can get in through the stucco which could cause problems in damper climates as it could lead to moisture problems in the frame of the house. Also, in particularly cold or freezing weather then water could get into cracks in the stucco and damage could be caused by repeated freeze-thaw action.
Pros
l Energy-efficient
l Attractive and pleasing to look at.
l Can last for more than 100 years so long as it is properly looked after.
l Fire-resistant
l Provides good protection against pests.
l Doesn’t need painting
Cons
l Can be as expensive to use as wood.
l Unsuited to damp climates as can be damaged by continual rain.
l Can crack which can lead to expensive repairs if it has not been mixed with epoxy.
H2: Fiber cement and composite siding
Fiber cement is made by mixing sand and cement with wood fibers. This is the thickest siding that you can use and it is particularly strong. It is an excellent choice to use if it needs to withstand high winds and snow or hail.
Paint lasts much longer on fiber cement siding than wood so it doesn’t need to be repainted as often as wood siding does. If you need a siding that is strong and will last for a long time then fiber cement would definitely be a good choice.
Pros
l Affordable - it is a good alternative to stone or wood sidings.
l The wood fibers in it keep their natural insulation properties.
l Fire resistant
l Pest resistant
l Low maintenance and long lasting - can last for around 50 years.
l Extremely durable - good choice if needing protection against wind and rain or snow.
Cons
l Non-recyclable
l Not as energy-efficient as stone
H2: What is insulated siding?
Insulated siding is a material that adds another layer to the back of the siding material and it is usually added to vinyl siding. This is so that it creates a siding that has additional insulation combined with the benefits provided by the external siding material.
Although there are quite a few types of insulation that can be used, the one most frequently used is a foam core underneath the external siding material.
H3: Benefits of insulated siding
Even though your house is probably already pretty well insulated it will still be a good idea to add insulated siding rather than standard siding. This is because the insulated siding will add another layer of insulation to your house which will then make your house more energy-efficient. It makes it more energy-efficient by trapping warm air in the house during winter which will reduce your heating bills - something that can only be a good thing!
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