Siding is not just a pretty covering for your home. It looks great, sure, but it also protects your home while helping regulate its temperature. In short, it keeps you comfortable in both the dead of winter and the hottest months of the summer. How does your siding influence your home’s thermal efficiency? How does choosing the right siding material significantly reduce your energy bills and keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter? It’s highly scientific, but we’ll break it down into a quick and helpful summary!
Find out more about the science of your siding.
How Your Siding Protects Your Home
Siding acts as a protective barrier that shields your home from weather-related damage and temperature fluctuations. It prevents moisture from seeping into the walls, which can lead to mold growth and structural decay. It also provides an additional layer of insulation that helps to maintain indoor temperatures, contributing to a more energy-efficient home.
Your Siding Keeps Your Home Cool in Summer
During the hot summer months, the sun increases the temperature inside your home, leading to higher air conditioning costs. Siding helps mitigate this effect by:
- Reflecting Sunlight: some siding materials reflect solar radiation instead of absorbing it, which helps keep the interior of your home cooler.
- Ventilating: certain siding options come with integrated ventilation systems that help remove trapped heat from wall cavities, reducing the heat that penetrates into your home.
Your Siding Keeps Your Home Warm in Winter
In winter, the challenges reverse, with the goal being to keep the heat inside. Siding contributes to this in several ways:
- Forming an Insulation Barrier: siding materials often have inherent insulating properties that help prevent heat from escaping. Additional insulation can also be added under the siding to enhance this effect.
- Wind Resistance: properly installed siding can reduce the impact of cold winds that strip heat from your home’s exterior, commonly known as wind chill effect on your house.
How New Siding Can Reduce Your Energy Bills
Installing new siding can lead to significant energy savings by enhancing your home’s thermal efficiency—the barrier between the indoor and outdoor environments. Your home’s siding can actually increase your energy efficiency with:
- Enhanced Insulation: new siding can be installed with upgraded, modern insulation materials that fill gaps and reduce thermal bridging, where heat bypasses insulation through materials like wood and metal studs.
- Fewer Air Leaks: old siding can develop cracks and gaps over time, through which air can leak. New siding provides a tighter seal against air leakage, making heating and cooling systems more efficient.
The Best Insulating and Most Energy Efficient Siding Materials
When it comes to choosing siding that maximizes energy efficiency, here are some of the top materials:
- Vinyl Siding: often equipped with some insulation potential, vinyl is affordable and effective at reducing heat loss.
Fiber Cement Siding: known for its durability and low maintenance, fiber cement also boasts good thermal resistance and can mimic the appearance of natural wood.
Wood Siding: provides natural insulation and offers a classic look. Wood requires more maintenance but is highly effective in insulating properties.
Metal Siding: aluminum siding with a foam insulation backing offers excellent reflective properties and insulation, though it is less commonly used than other materials.
Get New Siding for Your Home Today
The role siding plays in maintaining your home’s temperature is both scientific and practical. By choosing the right siding material, you can easily enhance your home’s energy efficiency, reduce your energy bills, and enjoy a comfortable living environment throughout the year. If you’re considering updating your siding, but aren’t sure which material to choose, get in touch with our team today. We can help give you some options and quotes. Let our expertise be your guide!
