The Impact of Siding Replacement on Home Energy Efficiency

An old and dilapidated exterior siding not only looks unsightly but also contributes to considerable energy loss in your home. Replacing it with a newer and better siding, therefore, is worth considering. If you do so, you will immediately notice a significant improvement in your home’s indoor comfort and energy efficiency. But how does this particular home improvement make it happen? Read on as local siding and roofing contractor Shine Construction Inc. discuss the impact of siding replacement on your home.

A Boost in Home Insulation

Equipping your home with new siding gives it the thermal insulation necessary to shield living spaces from extreme outdoor temperatures and maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor climate. It also prevents heated or cooled air from leaking out of your home. Expect your siding replacement project to minimize energy loss, which then translates into lower utility bills every month.

HVAC Efficiency and Performance

Obvious signs of siding deterioration such as holes, cracks, punctures and gaps of different sizes make it easy for outdoor air to infiltrate indoors. This results in the prevalence of inconsistent comfort in some areas of your home in the form of hot and cold spots. Unfortunately, your HVAC system has to work twice as hard to compensate for the lack of thermal comfort. As it exerts extra effort, its internal components become more susceptible to damage, compromising the unit’s efficiency and performance. If you fail to address siding issues, you run the risk of spending more money not only on wasted energy but on replacing your heating or cooling equipment early in its lifespan.

The good news is that siding replacement helps prevent these scenarios from playing out in the long run. Today’s options in the market are known to be more durable and resilient than ever, especially when exposed to harsh elements. It means that they don’t become damaged easily when hit by windborne debris or any outside factors that result in cracks and gaps on your home exterior. Replacing your damaged siding with a new one is an energy-saving home improvement project that lessens the stress on your HVAC system and lowers your heating and cooling costs.

The Basics of an Energy-Efficient Siding

Typical siding can provide additional insulation for your home. However, you need to consider certain options equipped with features that help bolster energy efficiency further. Insulated siding, for instance, remains a staple in many home improvement projects. It has a foam backing that prevents the phenomenon of thermal bridging, or the conduction of heat, through wall studs and other framings by bypassing the insulation between your home’s wall studs. With this feature, hot or cold air can’t pass through the barrier, keeping your living spaces comfortable during the summer and winter months.

Continuous advancements paved the way for the development of new options that offer better performance and energy efficiency. For example, some products in the market come with molded foam adhered to the vinyl face of the siding. The addition of this material creates more rigidity, allowing manufacturers to produce larger panels and wider profiles. The emergence of better siding options is brought about by ongoing improvements on early iterations, including wider style variations, molded backing and interlocking design that ensures greater stability.

Another way to boost energy efficiency through siding replacement is by installing a thermal wrap, also known as house wrap. This thin but resilient material is a water-resistive barrier that serves as the home’s last line of defense against air leaks and water infiltration. Installing one before siding replacement isn’t necessary, but most building professionals suggest adding it because of what it can do for your home. Apart from minimizing mold buildup and moisture-induced structural damage, it offers sufficient insulation that helps lower your energy bills.

Other Ways to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

Siding replacement isn’t the only home improvement project out there. Many other exterior renovations can create a big impact on your home’s energy efficiency. While some of them require extensive time and effort to pull off, the results will speak for themselves in the form of lower energy usage and significant savings.

• Consider your roof. Regular maintenance helps prolong the life of your roofing system. However, there will come a time when it will become severely damaged that simple fixes no longer work and the only course of action is a roof replacement. To make sure your home remains energy-efficient, consider choosing a durable roofing system that delivers high solar reflectance. In other words, it absorbs less heat energy coming from the sun compared to other roofing systems.
• Replace windows. If you are still using single-pane windows, it is time to switch to better, more energy-efficient replacement window units. They consist of two or more glass panes separated by a space to reduce heat transfer. When shopping for them, check for the blue ENERGY STAR® seal, which is an indication of their energy performance and efficiency.
• Install new exterior doors. Air leakage around doors reduces your home’s energy efficiency and costs you money. New weatherstripping works although applying it only stops a certain amount of leakage. But if they need to be replaced as well, consider those that are also ENERGY STAR-rated.

Working With a Contractor for Your Siding Replacement Needs

If you want to boost your home’s curb appeal and energy efficiency at the same time, you need to work with a contractor that brings top-level craftsmanship and quality products to every project. Shine Construction Inc. is one such company. Our experienced home renovation specialists install high-quality exterior siding materials that can improve the aesthetics and durability of your home and ensure indoor comfort. We offer two siding options: vinyl and cedar. Vinyl siding is an affordable choice known for its design versatility and strong weather resistance, while cedar siding keeps its rustic appearance due to its natural ability to repel moisture.

Count on us for your other exterior improvement needs, including roof repair, window replacement and door installation. We guarantee a job well done, so reach out and let us get to work customizing an effective solution for any of these projects. Call (508) 278-3300 or fill out our contact form to get a free quote.