Installing energy-efficient house siding is an economical way to update your home while also improving the comfort for those who reside there. Energy-efficient insulated siding can lower your home’s power bills and reduce your family's impact on the environment. Working with residential roofing contractors who are experienced in installing this type of siding can help you save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home. Find out how and why new siding can benefit your finances and the environment to choose the siding options best suited to your situation.
What Is House Siding?
House siding is a material attached to a building’s outer walls to provide protection and to add decoration. Siding has a lifespan from 10 to 100 years, depending on the type installed. In Las Vegas, siding helps to protect a home from the harsh climate that we face throughout much of the year. We can see intense heat and sunlight in the summer, periodic dust storms, and heavy rains throughout the year, with snow and freezing temperatures in the winter. However, siding alone fares poorly at controlling temperatures and requires an added layer of insulation to do so.
How Insulated Siding Lowers Energy Bills
Home builders use a figure known as the R-value to determine how well a particular material acts as an insulator. Most types of siding have an R-value of less than one, with materials such as stucco, perhaps the most common siding material, having an R-value of .44. Clark County requires an R-value ranging from 11 to 21 for wood-framed stucco buildings. Energy-efficient insulated siding types have R-values as high as 4 in the case of fiber cement, with other materials experiencing less dramatic increases.
With the addition of energy-efficient house siding, you can reduce your home’s carbon footprint by cutting down on energy it loses in the summer and winter months. Your home’s studs are likely uninsulated, which can lead to a phenomenon known as thermal bridging, wherein energy passes through them inside and outside of your home. Insulated siding can cover them with additional insulation. Insulated siding also offers additional structural integrity compared to its non-insulated counterpart, which can leave the exterior of your building feeling hollow and vulnerable to damage.
Energy-efficient Siding Options
Check out some of your options if you’re thinking about installing energy-efficient house siding for your home:
- Cementitious – This composite material typically includes cellulose fibers mixed with cement and can mimic the appearance of natural materials such as wood.
- ACM (aluminum composite material) – ACM siding offers a smooth, futuristic look and requires little maintenance outside of a repainting once every ten years.
- Aluminum faux siding – This material can mimic the look and texture of more expensive, costly, and carbon-intensive materials, such as stone or wood.
- Stone/Brick/Concrete – These materials are long-lasting and don’t require much maintenance aside from an occasional washing, helping to reduce their long-term carbon footprint.
- Fastener metal – Coming in concealed and exposed variants, this type of siding consists of mental panels that can be quickly installed on a building’s walls.
Shopping for Energy-efficient House Siding?
If you’re in the market for new energy-efficient siding for your home, the best option for your goals could surprise you. Working with residential roofing contractors can help you determine which type of siding material is best suited to your home, budget, and goals. For an experienced and dedicated roofing contractor in Las Vegas, contact the Original Roofing Company today. Let us help you update your home for the modern era.
