dcsimg
R-value and your vinyl siding cost

R-value and your vinyl siding cost

A few years ago the term "R-value" was rarely used when neighbors got together to chat about their homes. Kitchen remodeling, landscape projects and finishing basements were often more popular topics. However, an increased concern about residential energy efficiency and lowering heating and cooling costs has brought discussing your home's R-values into vogue. What exactly is R-value and how can it affect your vinyl siding cost when choosing a new exterior cladding for your home?

Vinyl siding cost: paying a little more may lower your energy usage

The Department of Energy defines R-value as "an insulation's resistance to air flow." A lot of factors determine the R-value of the exterior walls of your home: wall thickness, construction configuration and the density of the insulation can all play a part in the equation. The insulation value of each component is added together and the total is the R-value of your exterior walls. While the ideal R-value for a home can vary depending on its location, in almost all cases higher numbers are considered desirable and can result in lower heating and cooling costs.

You may not be able to do much about the thickness of your framed walls or the amount of insulation they contain without major renovations, but there is still an easy method for increasing a home's R-value: installing insulated vinyl siding. Here are just three of the many choices available:

  1. Mastic's Structure Home Insulation System features up to 1 1/4 inches of insulation in numerous styles and colors.
  2. CertainTeed's CedarBoards Insulated Siding offers R-values up to 2.7 and thicknesses that may reach 1 1/4 inches.
  3. Georgia-Pacific's Seasons insulated siding can add an R-value of up to 2.8 to your exterior walls in a choice of 14 colors.

Many insulated selections that can increase your home's R-value have earned Energy Star ratings. While their initial vinyl siding cost might be a little higher than standard cladding, the added insulation may be able to lower your long term heating and cooling expenses.

 

 

 

Featured Articles

advertisement.gif