Siding does more than give the house exterior a finished look, and it’s no exaggeration that it is to the exterior wall what asphalt shingles are to the roof. As a type of cladding installed on the exterior walls, siding is made from durable materials like wood, vinyl, metal or fiber cement. In this blog post, Howard Roofing & Home Improvements discusses what siding does for your home.
Siding protects the exterior walls from most weather conditions. Like most roofing materials, siding is shingled upon installation, which lets it shed moisture and prevent moisture infiltration. Moisture in the exterior walls can result in mold and mildew growth where they’re not easily found. Siding also helps protect your home from impact damage caused by hail and airborne debris. Some siding products are rated for impact resistance, which makes them ideal for climates where hailstorms are common.
Siding can improve the structural stability of the exterior walls. In situations where the framing may have problems, siding may help keep the exterior walls together until a restoration or repair contractor can step in to provide a more permanent fix.
Certain types of siding have insulation, either because they’re made of inherently insulative material or are layered with an insulating core. Insulated siding can augment the insulating material that fills the exterior wall cavities. A well-insulated exterior wall can help slow down thermal transfer between your home’s interior and exterior spaces, which can help reduce your home’s heating and cooling requirements and, consequently, your utility bills. Light-colored siding can also help reduce solar heat absorption thanks to its reflective properties.
Another benefit of having insulated siding is it helps prevent thermal tracking or “ghosting” — dark stains that follow the outline of the wall framing. Typically, only the gaps between the wall framing is filled with insulating material, which creates temperature differences between the framing and the spaces between. The cooler areas over the framing form a thin layer of condensation that attracts small particles like soot, darkening over time. Insulated siding helps compensate for the lack of insulation over the framing and prevents thermal tracking.
Learn more about what siding can do for your home. Call Howard Roofing & Home Improvements today at (636) 296-1057 for a free estimate. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Belleville, IL and the surrounding communities.