Insulated siding
Encyclopedia
Insulated siding is home siding
that includes rigid foam insulation, fused behind the exterior surface of the wall, for the purpose of reducing energy consumption, increasing the insulation value of the wall system and improving the stability and appearance of the siding. Currently, insulated siding is commercially available as a type of vinyl siding
.
One purported benefit of insulated siding is its ability to reduce energy transfer, which helps maintain the interior temperature of a home. Producers report an average R-value
of 2.0 - 3.5, significantly more than that of other siding products including fiber cement
, brick
and stucco
. Homeowners also report insulated siding serves as a noise barrier
to external sound.
The expanded polystyrene
foam (EPS) insulation allows for more impact resistance than traditional vinyl siding. The rigid foam-backed siding creates straighter sight lines, and prevents denting and bending, for a more wood-like appearance than traditional vinyl siding.
-based Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. The company began marketing its product, Fullback Thermal Support System, in the United States
as an improvement over traditional vinyl siding.
Initial versions of insulated vinyl siding were field-tested in Georgia. Between 1993 and 1997, design and process solutions were developed to improve the functionality and durability of the product. In 1997, one vinyl siding manufacturer launched the first full-scale commercialization of insulated vinyl siding. Between 1998 and 2003, most other vinyl siding manufacturers launched their own brands of insulated siding. Since 2003, product development and product line extensions have allowed insulated siding to experience consistent growth and recognition as a premium residential cladding.
Insulated siding is currently available from a variety of siding manufacturers including Alcoa Home Exteriors
, Alside, Associated Materials, CertainTeed, Exterior Portfolio by Crane, Heartland Building Products, KP Building Products, Mastic, Mitten, Inc., Norandex/Reynolds, Gentek/Revere, RMC/Style Crest, Variform and Vytec.
”, insulated siding may be used by homeowners to make homes more environmentally friendly. By reducing energy consumption, insulated siding can reduce air pollution
. Insulated siding has an industry system R-value range of 2.0 - 3.5. According to manufacturers, insulated siding is manufactured to last for 50 years or more, potentially reducing landfill
contributions.
In addition to reducing energy consumption, manufacturers report that insulated siding is permeable or “breathable,” allowing water vapor to escape, which can provide protection against rot, mold and mildew and help maintain healthy indoor air quality. Some products also include an organic, non-toxic termite and insect repellant.
Considered a pioneering category of products, the rigid foam insulation is made of a modified expanded polystyrene (EPS), which includes a brominated fire retardant
called HBCD (hexabromocyclododecane)
which promotes self extinguishing once removed from direct flame. The EPS used in insulated siding has a density of 1.0 lb/cu ft (16 kg/cu m). Depending on the siding profile, products range in thickness from 75mm to 200mm.
Siding
Siding is the outer covering or cladding of a house meant to shed water and protect from the effects of weather. On a building that uses siding, it may act as a key element in the aesthetic beauty of the structure and directly influence its property value....
that includes rigid foam insulation, fused behind the exterior surface of the wall, for the purpose of reducing energy consumption, increasing the insulation value of the wall system and improving the stability and appearance of the siding. Currently, insulated siding is commercially available as a type of vinyl siding
Vinyl siding
Vinyl siding is plastic exterior cladding for a house, used for decoration and weatherproofing, as an alternative to traditional wood siding or other materials such as aluminum or fiber cement siding. It is an engineered product, manufactured primarily from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, resin, giving...
.
Usage
Insulated siding is exterior cladding that features a rigid foam backing secured to vinyl siding, or placed behind the siding during installation.One purported benefit of insulated siding is its ability to reduce energy transfer, which helps maintain the interior temperature of a home. Producers report an average R-value
R-value (insulation)
The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. Under uniform conditions it is the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulator and the heat flux through it or R = \Delta T/\dot Q_A.The R-value being discussed is the unit thermal resistance...
of 2.0 - 3.5, significantly more than that of other siding products including fiber cement
Fiber cement siding
Fiber cement siding is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications.-Usage:...
, brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
and stucco
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
. Homeowners also report insulated siding serves as a noise barrier
Noise barrier
A noise barrier is an exterior structure designed to protect sensitive land uses from noise pollution...
to external sound.
The expanded polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene ) also known as Thermocole, abbreviated following ISO Standard PS, is an aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry...
foam (EPS) insulation allows for more impact resistance than traditional vinyl siding. The rigid foam-backed siding creates straighter sight lines, and prevents denting and bending, for a more wood-like appearance than traditional vinyl siding.
History
Insulated siding was invented in 1992 by OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
-based Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. The company began marketing its product, Fullback Thermal Support System, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as an improvement over traditional vinyl siding.
Initial versions of insulated vinyl siding were field-tested in Georgia. Between 1993 and 1997, design and process solutions were developed to improve the functionality and durability of the product. In 1997, one vinyl siding manufacturer launched the first full-scale commercialization of insulated vinyl siding. Between 1998 and 2003, most other vinyl siding manufacturers launched their own brands of insulated siding. Since 2003, product development and product line extensions have allowed insulated siding to experience consistent growth and recognition as a premium residential cladding.
Insulated siding is currently available from a variety of siding manufacturers including Alcoa Home Exteriors
Alcoa
Alcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
, Alside, Associated Materials, CertainTeed, Exterior Portfolio by Crane, Heartland Building Products, KP Building Products, Mastic, Mitten, Inc., Norandex/Reynolds, Gentek/Revere, RMC/Style Crest, Variform and Vytec.
Environmental Impact
Described by developers as “green buildingGreen
Green is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; it is considered...
”, insulated siding may be used by homeowners to make homes more environmentally friendly. By reducing energy consumption, insulated siding can reduce air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
. Insulated siding has an industry system R-value range of 2.0 - 3.5. According to manufacturers, insulated siding is manufactured to last for 50 years or more, potentially reducing landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
contributions.
In addition to reducing energy consumption, manufacturers report that insulated siding is permeable or “breathable,” allowing water vapor to escape, which can provide protection against rot, mold and mildew and help maintain healthy indoor air quality. Some products also include an organic, non-toxic termite and insect repellant.
Specifications
Sizes will vary by manufacturer depending on the insulated siding application and range from 4–16 ft long with widths from 6-21 inches, depending on the profile.Considered a pioneering category of products, the rigid foam insulation is made of a modified expanded polystyrene (EPS), which includes a brominated fire retardant
Fire retardant
A fire retardant is a substance other than water that reduces flammability of fuels or delays their combustion. This typically refers to chemical retardants but may also include substances that work by physical action, such as cooling the fuels; examples of these include fire-fighting foams and...
called HBCD (hexabromocyclododecane)
Hexabromocyclododecane
Hexabromocyclododecane is a brominated flame retardant. It consists of twelve carbon, eighteen hydrogen, and six bromine atoms tied to the ring. Its primary application is in extruded and expanded polystyrene foam that is used as thermal insulation in the building industry...
which promotes self extinguishing once removed from direct flame. The EPS used in insulated siding has a density of 1.0 lb/cu ft (16 kg/cu m). Depending on the siding profile, products range in thickness from 75mm to 200mm.