Minnesota snow, freezing rain, ice, and sleet can be brutal on your home’s siding. But you can face winter with confidence when your home is covered in an energy-efficient siding material.
Your siding material directly affects how much insulation it will provide and, therefore, the energy savings you will enjoy. If siding doesn’t stand up to the elements, it warps and cracks, compromising your home and ultimately costing you more in heating and air conditioning bills.
Read on to discover the top energy-efficient siding materials for your home.
Siding Energy-Efficiency: A Side-by-Side Comparison
As we compare various siding options, we’ll consider their R-value. Note: R-value refers to the material’s thermal resistance—or the siding’s ability to keep hot or cold air outside or inside your home. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
EDCO Steel Siding
It’s commonly thought that steel siding will heat up your home by channeling the heat from the sun much like a car’s windows in the summer. This is where EDCO steel siding disproves that myth.
Their ENTEX finish uses energy efficient Cool Chemistry technology, providing you with:
- High solar reflectance
- High Thermal Emittance
With this reflective coating, more heat from the sun is reflected outside, and very little heat transfers through the EDCO siding to the inside of your home, which lowers your utility bills.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is recyclable, low maintenance, and cost-effective.
- Insulated makeup—Insulated vinyl siding has the same outer layer as traditional vinyl siding—made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Behind its skin is a layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) that is form-fitted to the vinyl’s profile. The insulation is secured in place for a permanent connection.
- Energy efficiency—Not all vinyl is created equally. Uninsulated vinyl tends to crack or warp easily. But quality, insulated vinyl siding installed by a reputable contractor (like us!) delivers an energy-efficient protective covering to your home. Insulated vinyl has a superior thermal resistance that adds R-value to your house, making it more energy efficient.
Versetta Stone Siding
Made of 50% recycled material, Versetta Stone is comprised of cement, water, natural aggregates, and mineral oxide. It gives your home a gorgeous appearance and increases its value. It is used to add visual interest to elements of your home’s exterior or to cover your full exterior.
Versetta stone siding is an excellent option for energy-efficiency. While it’s considerably lighter-weight than traditional stone siding, stone veneers still offer the energy benefits of natural stone and they:
- Keep the hot air out in summer
- Keep the cold are out in winter
- Have an exceptionally long lifespan.
Versetta Stone siding also helps reduce outdoor noise, making your home a more peaceful place to live.
LP SmartSide Siding
- Strong makeup—LP SmartSide is made from reliable engineered wood.
- Easy maintenance—This siding delivers the classic appearance of natural wood siding without the high maintenance wood requires.
- Energy efficiency—Durable LP SmartSide has a higher insulation R-value than traditional vinyl, making your home more energy efficient, decreasing utility bills, and maximizing indoor comfort.
James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
James Hardie siding is the best product for your Minnesota home to maximize your energy savings. It is five times thicker than vinyl siding, making it the superior choice for your home. Here’s what you’ll love about this resilient siding.
- Engineered for climate – The Hardie company created the HardieZone system based on extensive research on the long-term impact of weather on siding material. The result? They developed siding that efficiently withstands the extreme weather we experience in Minnesota. Despite our harsh winters, it shouldn’t crack, shrink, break, rot, or become damaged.
- Energy Efficient – It boosts your home’s energy efficiency, saving you on utility bills throughout the year (and keeping your HVAC unit from overworking and wearing out). Your home’s indoor comfort level will reflect the reliable protection of thick, dense Hardie siding. You can say goodbye to uncomfortable drafts when your home is insulated with fiber cement.
Enjoy Energy-Efficient Siding for Your Twin Cities Area Home
At Beissel Window and Siding, we know that what is an excellent option for one homeowner might not work for another. That’s why we have done the research and we will recommend a variety of manufacturers and materials for your project based on your budget and goals.
Although we install multiple types of siding, we take time to educate you, so you feel informed and not overwhelmed when you decide the best fit for your needs. We walk you through each option to ensure you feel confident with your choice.
Take a look at how our siding services can transform your Twin Cities home.
