Best Aluminum Siding Insulation Methods

There is no better time to add an insulation system to your home’s cladding than when a new siding material is installed. You can either remove the old panels or cover them up to make it easier to add insulation process in many ways. Alternatively, you can add insulation to the cladding from the inside, which requires removing drywall and experience. This article will show you the best aluminum siding insulation methods that reduce your home’s energy loss and increase the cladding’s lifespan.

Your home’s walls account for about 35% of energy in your facility, more than any other elements, including roofing, doors, and windows. Thus, it is best to start with your cladding system when improving the energy efficiency of your house.

What is Aluminum Siding?

Aluminum siding is one of the best metal cladding systems in the construction industry. This cladding system protects your building against exterior elements such as wind loads, rainwater, snow, etc.

Aluminum siding has been in the building industry for many years, and it is the most traditional metal cladding that architects use for their designs. However, modern ACP companies and manufacturers produce newer and modern aluminum cladding systems, including:

• Modern Aluminum Sidings
• Longboards
• Aluminum Composite Panel

ACM Panels are the best cladding materials nowadays. However, if you use the best aluminum siding insulation methods, even the most traditional systems will work perfectly for you.

Pros and Cons of Aluminum Metal Siding

You should know its primary advantages and drawbacks if you want to use aluminum siding as your cladding material.

Advantages

• Aluminum Sidings are Cost-Effective
• Metal Claddings are Eco-Friendly
• Aluminum Claddings are Durable
• Aluminum Sidings Do Not Require Regular Maintenance

Draw Backs

• Traditional Aluminum Claddings are Noisy
• Aluminum Sidings Require Insulation
• Metal Claddings are Prone to Minor Damage
• Aluminum Panels can Become Worn

How Do Aluminum Insulation Methods Work?

There are three standard and common methods for adding aluminum siding insulation to your claddings after their installation, which are:

• Blow-In Insulation Into the Cavity
• Installing Rigid Foam Insulation on the Siding
• Adding Flat Rigid Aluminum Siding Insulation Before Installation
• Aluminum Sidings with Sprayed-On Foam Insulation

Luckily, if you want to go for high levels of energy savings, any combination of these aluminum siding insulation methods will increase the energy efficiency of your house.

The amount of energy loss you reduce by using aluminum siding insulation methods is conduction, which transfers the heat from one atom to another with direct contact. Liquids, solids, and gases can transmit heat through conduction, but solids usually move energy more efficiently since the molecules are most tightly packed.

Aluminum siding insulation works since it traps air, and since the air molecules are less dense, the cladding system does not transfer heat quickly through conduction, making your home more energy-efficient.

Aluminum Siding Insulation Process

As told, aluminum sidings are low-maintenance and durable alternatives to traditional wood sidings. However, the main disadvantage of these materials was their lack of insulation.

The best method among the aluminum siding insulation systems is installing rigid foam on the panels. When installing the insulation properly, it creates a barrier against heat loss and gain, resulting in an R-value increment of the exterior envelope when combined with a blow-in system.

Another option we told you about was to buy aluminum sidings that come with sprayed-on foam insulation.

If you want your insulation to work perfectly, follow the steps below:

1. First, place the L-shaped flashing on the external panels of your home at the bottom edge of the metal panels with the base “L” facing outward and secure it to your home with roofing nails.
2. Second, you should run a bead of subfloor adhesive on the cladding system’s top and bottom aluminum plates before installing the foam insulation. (preventing air leakage)
3. Then, place the foam insulation against the exterior siding panels, ensuring the foam’s top and bottom of the foam adhesive to the caulk or sealant that you applied before. Remember that the foil facing should face outside. (adding vapor barrier)
4. You can secure the rigid foam insulation with plywood screws and straps.
5. Then, add a vapor diffusion retarder if your local building codes and regulation require it. It would help if you secured it to the strapping.
6. Install your aluminum siding with the standard procedure and attach the panels to the strapping.