Installing Vinyl Siding Over Foam Insulation

Always follow the manufacturer s instructions for installing rigid foam insulation.

Installing vinyl siding over foam insulation.

This type of insulation may change and flatten the specialty built in contour of the panel causing the siding to bulge or ripple. Rigid foam will shed any water that gets past leaky vinyl siding. In fact the two products combined make your home super insulated from outside wind and weather. Before installing vinyl siding over existing wood siding we first install a layer of fan fold foam insulation.

Some people use roofing nails but if a strong gust of wind gets under the siding it may not hold. Some manufacturers strongly recommend against the use of drop in type foam or fiberboard behind its vinyl siding. The foam on the outside keeps the wood frame inside the wall warm and dry in. Existing wood siding must be in good shape with no rot or mold and fastened tightly to the wall.

To secure the foam use two inch cap nails. This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work. Installing vinyl siding over wood siding wood must be sound. One of the biggest questions homeowners have about house wrap is whether it can be installed together with foam insulation.

Plus rigid foam insulation applied over the outside walls. Below are some of the design details along with the benefits. Vinyl siding can be used in original construction or as a replacement for old siding. Installing foam board insulation under vinyl siding today more than ever before homes are being built with foam board insulation installed on the outside of the sheathing and under the siding.

Apply sealant around windows doors and trim. Fit the rigid foam insulation snugly and seal all seams with the specialized tape. If the wood siding is beveled or lapped you. To be an effective weather resistive barrier though the seams of the fan fold must be carefully taped since any seam can provide a pathway for water to reach the structure under the foam.

The answer happily is yes. The nails have a plastic cap that keeps them from damaging the foam. Is the fan fold foam an adequate weather resistive barrier. Of foam and you can t use furring strips which are not a flat solid surface without voiding the warranty.

Vinyl siding must be installed against a flat surface. It typically is installed over rigid foam board insulation fastened to wood wall sheathing. Installing house wrap with rigid foam insulation. So technically speaking you can t nail through or even use 2 in.

A corresponding editor paul fisette responds.