Vinyl siding can enhance the appearance of your home and provide protection from the elements, but did you know it also helps improve energy efficiency? Garden State Brickface and Siding offers several siding options and can help you understand how you can make your home more energy efficient. If you want to stay toasty in the winter and cool in the summer while reducing your utility bills, vinyl siding may be the right solution for you.
How Does Vinyl Siding Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?
When you think of energy efficiency in your home, replacement windows and EnergyStar appliances may come to mind. However, having an efficient envelope that seals your interior against the effects of heat and cold can keep your HVAC system from having to work overtime and save you money in the long run. This envelope includes the interior walls of your home, insulation, and exterior walls. Vinyl siding may not be as thick as some other materials, but when installed correctly, it creates a durable seal around your home, which keeps air from escaping and getting in.
Insulated Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding with rigid foam insulation is particularly effective at keeping your home temperate and lessening the strain on your HVAC system. In most homes, wall insulation is placed between wood or metal studs, which conduct heat. Wall studs can make up to 25% of the wall surface of an average home, which significantly decreases the actual amount of insulation a wall may have. Insulated siding blankets your home from the outside, providing 100% insulation on exterior walls.
R-Value Of Vinyl Siding
The energy efficiency of insulation is measured with an R-value, which tracks how well the material resists heat flow. According to testing done by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, brick and stone exteriors have an R-value of 0.11. Traditional vinyl siding has an R-value of about .61 and the R-value of insulated vinyl can be anywhere from 2 to 5.
Save Money On Heating Bills
When walls are poorly insulated, your furnace has to run more often to keep your house warm. Quality vinyl siding helps trap heat inside your home and prevents cold air from seeping in. It’s also good at deflecting cold winds that can make your home chillier indoors and keep your family warm and comfortable during long New Jersey winters. The energy savings you get from new vinyl siding installation gives you about an 80% return on your investment in the long run.
Vinyl Siding Helps Keep Your Home Cool In Summer
Vinyl keeps cool air from escaping your home and helps deflect UV rays during hot weather as well. Choosing a light color for your vinyl siding can also increase energy efficiency, as white and other lighter colors reflect the sun’s rays. Vinyl is great for keeping out moisture, which results in lower humidity inside your home. High humidity makes the air feel warmer, so the less humid the air in your home, the more comfortable you’ll be without having to turn the thermostat down to extremely low temperatures.
Generate Less Building Waste
Durable vinyl siding typically lasts for 20 years or more. If sections do become damaged, they can be replaced in pieces. Vinyl siding is also super low-maintenance. It doesn’t require any painting, staining or caulking, and can be cleaned with mild soap and a garden hose. If you’re concerned about sustainability, some types of vinyl siding can be recycled.
Vinyl Siding Is Attractive, Affordable, And Durable
Energy efficiency isn’t the only reason to choose vinyl siding. Vinyl is the most popular home siding material in the U.S. because it’s affordable, sturdy, and adds curb appeal to any home. It’s easy to install and repair, and offers countless style, color, and customization options.
Contact Us To Learn More About Vinyl Siding
As a trusted contractor serving Central and Northern New Jersey, Garden State Brickface and Siding is committed to building lasting customer relationships and providing exceptional service. With more than 65 years of experience in residential and commercial projects, you can rely on us to get the job done right. Call (908)-395-0177 or contact us online to schedule your free estimate and learn more about vinyl siding installation and our home improvement financing options.