Do You Really Need Foam Board Under Siding

If you choose to install house wrap with rigid foam generally it should go under the insulation not around it.

Do you really need foam board under siding.

But if you use wood clapboard siding foam sheathing can cause trouble. Moisture can get trapped between the siding and the foam leading to paint failure and causing clapboards to cup and curl. Many people install vinyl siding or concrete board sding to improve the look and value of their home. The foam board not only helps insulate the home but also provides additional stability and durability to the siding panel.

This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work. And even though some manufacturers call it rigid foam insulation for the purpose of vinyl siding it basically has the same insulating value as a piece of plywood. Below are some of the design details along with the benefits of installing exterior rigid foam board insulation. In a typical situation.

Almost any type of siding can be installed over the rigid foam cedar or redwood planks exterior plywood sheets cement fiber board or vinyl siding are common options. It also serves as an air barrier. In fact the two products combined make your home super insulated from outside wind and weather. This allows vinyl siding manufacturers to make insulated siding in wider flatter profiles and richer darker colors than before.

In reality rigid foam board which sometimes comes in fanfold usually only has an insulating factor of r 1 and does not add any appreciable insulation effect to your home. The answer happily is yes. Today more than ever before homes are being built with foam board insulation installed on the outside of the sheathing and under the siding.