Insulation Under Siding: Is It Necessary for Your Home?

Meta: Wondering whether your home might benefit from insulation under the siding? Read this first to understand various insulation types and why house wrap matters.

A house’s siding plays a crucial role in protecting the building and insulating it from heat gain and loss. But it isn’t the only element that insulates the home. Depending on your type of siding, your home might need additional insulation under the siding to ensure optimal indoor comfort and energy efficiency.

What is Siding Insulation?

Just like you add layers to your body to stay warm when it gets cold outside, you can add insulating layers to your home to protect it. Insulation works a lot like a jacket or coat. It prevents air from reaching the inside layer.

No matter what type of siding you have on your home, you should take some time to understand siding insulation to guide your decision-making about requesting your contractor to include it in your quote.

Heat enters or escapes your home in one of three processes: conduction, radiation or convection.

Conduction is the process by which heat transfers via liquids or solids. Radiation transfers heat without a medium. And convection transfers heat through air.

Home Insulation Types

When it comes to home insulation, you have many options. Familiarize yourself with these options before starting your siding project.

Cellulose: This insulation is fire-resistant and goes within wall cavities of your home. Your contractor will blow it into the walls. The insulation creates gas-filled pockets that prevent heat loss.
Fiberglass: You’ll find this type of insulation in rolls. It goes between wall studs and your home’s ceiling joists. This fluff pink insulation might look inviting to touch, but if you do it could make you itchy. This insolation type prevents heat transfer via conduction.
House wrap: Before installing siding, your contractor will install house wrap. This provides a moisture and air barrier. There are many types of house wrap available with differing insulating properties.
Insulated vinyl siding: You can purchase vinyl siding with a thick foam attached to it. This backing helps improve the R-value for the siding. And can prevent dents or sagging of siding.
Rigid foam: This type of insulation is used more commonly in cold climates, so you’re unlikely to hear about it or have your contractor recommend it in Washington. One thing you should be aware of with this insulation is that proper installation is essential since it can pose a fire hazard if your contractor is not precise.
Spray foam: A popular insulation method that involves spraying foam inside wall cavities. It’s popular because the foam will change shape to fit the cavity precisely. However, contractors are careful with it because it can be dangerous near electrical lines because it can cause the lines to overheat.

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Signs You Need More Insulation

As you evaluate your home’s energy and insulation, consider these signs that you might benefit from additional insulation.

Higher than average energy bills for your area. Some energy providers will tell you what’s common in your area, but if they don’t, ask your neighbors to see if your expenses are typical.
Certain rooms in your home are drafty. You might feel the draft coming from the floors, ceiling or walls. A draft is a cold breeze due to areas that allow your treated air to leak out or outside air to infiltrate your home.
Ice dams form on your roof. This can tell you that warm air from your home is escaping through a part of your roof, which warms up snow on the surface. The cold air outside then refreezes this moisture, which creates an ice dam.
Frozen pipes in the winter. This is less common in western Washington, but during cold snaps, pay attention to your pipes. The most common place for this to happen is in your basement, attic or garage since these spaces are not heated.
You’re regularly dealing with pests, such as mice or rodents. This could be a sign your home has gaps.
After heavy snowfall with accumulation in other places, your roof has no snow accumulation. This might tell you that your heated air is escaping via your roof.

The Role of House Wrap in Insulating Your Home

Your home has an insulation barrier you might not be aware of.

Regardless of what type of siding you have on your home, you’ll have house wrap. The house wrap is one of the most important elements in your home’s insulation, yet many contractors don’t discuss it with their clients.

House wrap aids in reducing drafts and protecting the building from moisture damage. It can also help prevent air pollution and allergens from getting inside your home and improve comfort levels inside.

If you’re concerned about your home’s insulation and wondering how to improve it, look at the house wrap first before discussing placing insulation under your siding.

Your house wrap performs these key functions.

1. Energy Efficiency

Because house wrap is a barrier between the inside and outside of your home, it can provide some energy efficiency. It prevents your conditioned air from escaping, which can keep your energy bills lower.

2. Reduced Drafts

Keeping outside air out is just as important as keeping your treated air in. House wrap helps block air movement between your home’s walls thanks to tight seals with your windows and doors.

When you keep outside air out, it also prevents pollutants and allergens from reaching your living spaces.

3. Moisture Barrier

House wrap helps provide a strong barrier against moisture. That way, you can be confident you won’t have water in cracks and crevices of your home, which could lead to serious problems, such as material deterioration, wood rot or mold buildup.

4. Durability

House wrap helps keep your building materials durable by blocking moisture and drafts. That way, the elements don’t reach the structure of your home. The more durable your home is, the less you’ll spend for repairs.

5. Affordable Energy Bills

A side effect of improved energy efficiency is lower energy bills. The better your house wrap works to protect your home, the lower your energy bills will be.

Quality Materials with 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing

While many contractors don’t talk about their house wrap, 2FL does. Our team believes high-quality house wrap sets your project up for success. When it comes time to improve your home or commercial building with siding replacement, ask about what house wrap the contractor uses. This will better inform your decision-making and tell you what you’re paying for with your project. Higher-quality house wrap can make a large difference in insulating your home.

Our experienced team will offer advice and insights as to whether you should consider additional insulation when replacing the siding on your home. But know that the most important element in your home’s siding project is the house wrap. Don’t cheap out on this material and ensure your contractor knows how important this element is to you.

Schedule your free estimate with a member of our team today. This will help arm you with important details to consider for your project and allow you a chance to ask questions to our licensed professional.