Installing Vinyl Siding Over Foam Insulation

Some manufacturers strongly recommend against the use of drop in type foam or fiberboard behind its vinyl siding.

Installing vinyl siding over foam insulation.

The answer happily is yes. Vinyl siding must be installed against a flat surface. The foam on the outside keeps the wood frame inside the wall warm and dry in. It typically is installed over rigid foam board insulation fastened to wood wall sheathing.

Rigid foam will shed any water that gets past leaky vinyl siding. If the wood siding is beveled or lapped you. Is the fan fold foam an adequate weather resistive barrier. Existing wood siding must be in good shape with no rot or mold and fastened tightly to the wall.

Plus rigid foam insulation applied over the outside walls. Fit the rigid foam insulation snugly and seal all seams with the specialized tape. Always follow the manufacturer s instructions for installing rigid foam insulation. This detail is used with both new construction and also with renovation work.

Apply sealant around windows doors and trim. Vinyl siding can be used in original construction or as a replacement for old siding. Below are some of the design details along with the benefits. Some people use roofing nails but if a strong gust of wind gets under the siding it may not hold.

Siding over rigid foam. Before installing vinyl siding over existing wood siding we first install a layer of fan fold foam insulation. 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. In fact the two products combined make your home super insulated from outside wind and weather.

The nails have a plastic cap that keeps them from damaging the foam. Installing vinyl siding over wood siding wood must be sound. So technically speaking you can t nail through or even use 2 in. It adds up to a robust system.

The by the book answer to your question is that vinyl siding manufacturers require a flat solid supportive surface and limit foam installed under their siding to a maximum of 1 in. To secure the foam use two inch cap nails. A corresponding editor paul fisette responds. This type of insulation may change and flatten the specialty built in contour of the panel causing the siding to bulge or ripple.

Of foam and you can t use furring strips which are not a flat solid surface without voiding the warranty.