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Adding Insulation when Re-Siding

Reference

Fact sheet poster describing how to add exterior, continuous, rigid insulation to the exterior walls when replacing siding on an existing home.

Table of tools and materials necessary for installing insulated vinyl siding.

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DOE Siding Retrofit: Insulating Concrete Block Walls, Phoenix AZ

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1940s home in Phoenix AZ that included adding 2 inches of rigid polyisocyanurate insulation while adding stucco siding to a previously unsided and uninsulated slump-block home.

DOE Siding and Windows Retrofit: Insulating Concrete Block Walls, Phoenix AZ

Case Study

Case study describing a wall and window retrofit of a 1940s home in Phoenix AZ that included adding 2 inches of rigid foam and new stucco siding and solar screens as part of a comprehensive retrofit of the concrete block home.

Ice dams formed by melting of snow on roofs can affect roofs, walls, ceilings, siding, and insulation.

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When installing insulated vinyl siding around windows, flashing finials should be notched to allow for tabs and corner attachments at each window corner.

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Install outside corner posts for insulated vinyl siding with a 1/4 inch gap from the top of the wall and with at least 1 inch of overlap; nail the top of all corner posts at the top of the top slot.

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Plan view of exterior masonry brick wall retrofitted with furring strips, three layers of rigid foam insulation staggered and taped at the seams, and 1x4 furring strips to provide a nailing surface and ventilation gap under lap siding

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Plan view of exterior masonry brick wall retrofitted with furring strips, three layers of rigid mineral wool insulation staggered and taped at the seams, and topped with metal hat channel providing a ventilation gap surface to nail under the lap siding

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This close-up of an exterior wall retrofit of a masonry brick home shows the fluid-applied water and air control layer (white), 2x4 furring strips and two layers of rigid foam insulation (pink), then 1x4 furring which provides a ventilation gap

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The final or top course of vinyl siding is trimmed if needed and attached to the wall with shimmed utility trim.

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Great Fire of London, BSI–098

Reference

Report covering the fire performance of combustible cladding over combustible insulation.

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Building Enclosure: Exterior Wall Overview

Video

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs giving an overview of moisture problems common to exterior walls and how to mitigate these problems with proper framing, flashing, sheathing, cladding, and insulation.

Solid Core Siding Installation Manual

Reference

Manual describing the installation process for Craneboard insulated vinyl siding; while installation is similar across insulated vinyl siding products, see manufacturers for specific guidance.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Re-Siding your Home?

Reference

Factsheet describing re-siding retrofits containing exterior insulation and window upgrades aimed at improved energy savings and comfort.

When measuring for the last piece in a course of vinyl siding, measure from the corner post to the foam of the neighboring piece and subtract 1/4 inch to provide room for expansion.

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Install the top course of vinyl siding by securing it to the utility trim installed inside the J-channel with lugs punched into the cut edge of the siding with a snap lock punch tool.

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Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Guide

Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.

Re-Side Right: A Systems Approach to High-Performance Re-Siding Projects

Reference

Technical report describing the Re-Side Right initiative by the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Building America research team that proposes enhancing home efficiency during the re-siding process by incorporating an insulating layer that acts as both an air barrier and water resistive barrier...

Completed wall retrofit of masonry home (on right) showing new lap siding attached over four inches of rigid foam; windows were boxed with plywood to accommodate depth of foam plus 1x4 furring strips

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Building America Building Science Advisor

Reference

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

This home has heat loss through the roof, leading to ice dam formation and structural issues during winter months.

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DOE Siding Retrofit: Kit Home Retrofit, Kalamazoo MI

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1940s kit home in Kalamazoo MI that included adding 1 inch of rigid polyisocyanurate insulation while replacing siding the vinyl siding to the home.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Cedar Siding Retrofit, Bellingham, WA

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1970s cedar-sided home in Bellingham WA that included adding 2 inches of cork insulation while replacing the existing cedar siding.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Railroad Renovation, Jackson MS

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1950s bungaloo home in Jackson MS that included adding 1 inch of rigid XPS insulation while replacing aluminum siding with vinyl siding on the home.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Vinyl over Stucco, Long Island NY

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1920s home in Long Island NY that included adding 1 inch of rigid foam insulation over existing stucco and covering with vinyl siding on the home.

DOE Siding and Windows Retrofit: Kit Home Retrofit, Kalamazoo MI

Case Study

Case study describing a wall and window retrofit of a 1940s kit home in Kalamazoo MI that included adding 1 inch of rigid polyisocyanurate insulation and low-e storm windows while replacing vinyl siding on the home.

DOE Siding and Windows Retrofit: Railroad Renovation, Jackson MS

Case Study

Case study describing a wall and window retrofit of a 1950s bungaloo home in Jackson MS that included adding 1 inch of rigid XPS insulation while replacing aluminum siding with vinyl siding and replacing the original windows with triple-pane windows.

DOE Siding and Windows Retrofit: Cedar Siding Retrofit, Bellingham WA

Case Study

Case study describing a wall and window retrofit of a 1970s cedar-sided home in Bellingham WA that included adding 2 inches of cork insulation while replacing the existing cedar siding and replacing the double-pane windows with triple-pane windows.

DOE Siding and Windows Retrofit: Vinyl over Stucco, Long Island NY

Case Study

Case study describing a wall and window retrofit of a 1920s home in Long Island NY that included adding 1 inch of rigid foam insulation over existing stucco and covering with vinyl siding on the home, then adding exterior low-e storm windows to previously upgraded double-pane windows.