What Does Siding Do, Exactly?

INSULATION - Siding provides insulation to our homes. When most people think about their home’s insulation, they think about the fiberglass or blow insulation that exists in their walls. However, the quality and type of your siding will have just as big of an impact on how well your home is insulated. Thick, attentively installed siding will block the wind and protect your home from rapid temperature changes—and some types of siding can be added with extra insulation on top of that. Cracked or damaged siding can cause leaks, which interfere with your home’s temperature, heating, and cooling.

PROTECTION - Your siding is also the best layer of protection you have to keep your home safe from different types of external damage. Good siding can hold up in even the most extreme weather conditions, such as high winds, storms, and hail, protecting the interior of your home as well. It can also protect your home against the development of mold, which can be an expensive fix, damage from random accidents and impacts into the side of your house, and the onset of insects and rodents. On top of that, some types of siding can offer resistance against fires and other types of damage.

HOME VALUE - Of all the exterior home improvements you can make, replacing your siding offers one of the highest returns on your investment (ROI)—with some estimates claiming between an 80 and 90 percent return. Of course, this has a lot to do with the type of siding you choose, and the siding you install on a new house will also affect its value both in the short-term and in the long-term. This value is tied to all the aforementioned qualities—aesthetics, insulation, protection, and durability—woven together.