Insulation Value Of Fiber Cement Siding

Adding specialty siding insulation can make your fiber cement job energy efficient and more durable.

Insulation value of fiber cement siding.

Standard aluminum steel or vinyl siding. Fiber cement offers minimal energy savings at 15 r value but can be installed with fanfold or insulating sheathing products to improve the r value of the whole siding system. Most siding materials have an r value of less than 1. Gypsum sheathing with combined thickness of 1 inch or less method 2 james hardie siding installed to furring strips that are attached through the c i.

Designed to withstand physical trauma water damage and sun damage it can thrive in all climates. Because vinyl siding is thinner than fiber cement siding it can better accommodate insulation beneath its surface. Fiber cement siding is a hardened concoction of cement sand and synthetic polymers. Method 1 james hardie siding installed directly over continuous insulation c i and other non nailable substrates e g.

While fiber cement siding is energy efficient vinyl siding has the potential for this too. That includes standard vinyl steel or aluminum siding without added foam insulation. Homeadvisor s siding comparison guide explores the differences pros and cons of fiber cement and vinyl including information on james hardie s hardie board hardiplank fiber cement. Compare costs easy of installation colors painting options durability thickness r value length of life and more to decide which is the best siding for your home.

That s a little less than you ll get from vinyl siding which. Fiber cement insulated vinyl siding and fiber cement can both provide a durable exterior solution for your project. And other non nailable substrates e g. Insulation for engineered wood engineered wood products provide beauty and durability of real wood but take performance a step farther when paired with custom siding insulation.

According to the rsmeans 2014 residential cost data report the installed cost of vinyl siding is on average 201 per 100 square feet while fiber cement totals 300 for the same area. Here s a brief list of siding materials and their r values. Fiber cement and vinyl r values. But the same source puts asbestos cement k 2 07 and for loosely packed asbestos k 0 15 this is very inconsistent data.

Current sources of asbestos r values such as engineeringtoolbox provide very inconsistent data. When vinyl siding is optionally insulated it can achieve r 2 values and even greater. Thermal conductivity k 0 744 for cement board k 0 14 for asbestos millboard and k 1 66 for asbestos cement sheets.