Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 05:04pm | #1

   *
   Hi John,

   I have difficulty with the manufacturers claim of R4.5 on the siding itself. Further to this, I know it doesn't add R4.5 to the wall envelope itself, maybe half at best.

   So, if it only represented R2, does it justify the extra cost of this material as opposed to standard vynil siding? I don't know the price difference in your location so your in the best position to judge this aspect.

   A lot of this stuff is based on marketing hype and very little on substance.

   Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 05:15pm | #2

   *Thanks Gabe. I am wondering more about the quality of the siding itself more than the actual R value issues. This is a 44 mil vinyl that the manufacturer claims "breathes" 17% better than others. What do you think about the 44 mil thing........we've never had a vinyl siding before.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 05:29pm | #3

   *Hi John,I don't know what the benefits are, of having 17% more breathing ability would mean to the wall composition. 17% of what and compared to what? The holes in the bottom of the seam is more to allow drainage than anything else. You already have to allow a space around the entire perimeter to allow for expansion and contraction.Kinda like when the local drunk gets a job and the local paper announces a 100% increase in the hiring of alcoholics.Like I said, it really is a matter of cost effectiveness.It may be more solid feeling than regular siding, so that may be a benefit but as to the rest, I still think its marketing.Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 05:44pm | #4

   *Gabe,I don't mean to take up all your time, but here is a concern we have about the styrofoam backing. With regular vinyl siding, there is an air space behind the vinyl due to its configuration (looks like lap siding). With this foam backing, the foam fills these gaps and there is a flat surface that goes against the house. Could this cause us to have any moisture accumulate in our walls ? Thanks for the help so far. This guy wants $10,000 for this siding job, and we want to avoid a mistake !

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 06:57pm | #5

   *Not to worry John,Any moisture would migrate down to the starter strip or drip edge anyways. What kind of sheating does this house have that you would be attaching the siding to? This has very little effect other that I'm curious.Gabe

2. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 07:07pm | #6

   *Can't resist butting in on this discussion. Can't imagine any benefit to styrofoam on the back of vinyl siding except to the seller, if they can get someone to buy it that is.Assuming it is installed correctly so, as Gabe says, moisture can escape and there is space for expansion and contraction the styrofoam would have essentially no insulating value. Every one of those openings allows air flow around the insulated siding as well as radiated heat from the house. Well maybe it would restrict air flow enough to make the house's heat envelope a wee bit bigger; but it wouldn't be hardly measureable.Put your money into insulation where it can do some good, inside the house.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 09:14pm | #7

   *Thanks a lot, Gabe. The house is 25 years old and has the good old buffalo board or built-rite ( 3/4" ) for sheating.

4. 
   Guest_ | Jun 09, 2000 09:16pm | #8

   *Thanks, Fred. I appreciate the input. We have re-modeled the inside and now have R-13 ( 2x4 ) walls and a layer of 1" Foamular ( R5 )also on the inside.