Do You Really Need Foam Board Under Siding

Many people install vinyl siding or concrete board sding to improve the look and value of their home.

Do you really need foam board under siding.

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. The foam board not only helps insulate the home but also provides additional stability and durability to the siding panel. It also serves as an air barrier. 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.

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 a typical situation. 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. 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. This allows vinyl siding manufacturers to make insulated siding in wider flatter profiles and richer darker colors than before. The answer happily is yes. Below are some of the design details along with the benefits of installing exterior rigid foam board insulation.

Moisture can get trapped between the siding and the foam leading to paint failure and causing clapboards to cup and curl. These premium profiles and colors can add some cost to your siding project. 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.