Tell Me What You Know about Siding

[Harvey]

It’s hard to justify the difference, how much R value does it add?

It adds R Value of 4. But it does break the thermal bridge. Not by a lot but as a cost to do that, it's not too bad.

 

[Tjf1967]

What about just adding a 3/4 inch regular styrofoam and putting the siding on that? Would that be cheaper?

 

[Harvey]

Probably? Would it work? I defer to the experts.

How do you add insulation to the outside of the building without he mice chewing it?

Looks like the Zip System has R value.

@Joneski73 or @Sbob do you use the 1" or 1 1/2" zip?

Also how do you prevent over driving the nails?

I'd love it if my house was built with hammers but my guess is no contractor would go for that.

 

[Joneski73]

Probably? Would it work? I defer to the experts.

How do you add insulation to the outside of the building without he mice chewing it?

Looks like the Zip System has R value.

@Joneski73 or @Sbob do you use the 1" or 1 1/2" zip?

Also how do you prevent over driving the nails?

I'd love it if my house was built with hammers but my guess is no contractor would go for that.

I just use the standard 1/2” without the insulation. You have to adjust the air pressure and/or depth setting on the nail gun so the top of the nail is flush with the surface of the panel.

Adding foam panels behind a traditional vinyl siding would give you your thermal break, but it wouldn’t conform to the profile of the siding, so there would be hollow areas behind the siding. I think this may have been a concern of yours, Harv, in the beginning of the thread if I’m not mistaken.

 

[tirolski]

I'd love it if my house was built with hammers but my guess is no contractor would go for that.

Nailgun FTW.

 

[Sbob]

Probably? Would it work? I defer to the experts.

How do you add insulation to the outside of the building without he mice chewing it?

Looks like the Zip System has R value.

@Joneski73 or @Sbob do you use the 1" or 1 1/2" zip?

Also how do you prevent over driving the nails?

I'd love it if my house was built with hammers but my guess is no contractor would go for that.

It’s been a while since I’ve done any siding projects. I wish the Zip system was available when I built my home. I have a trapezoid window in my loft that leaks occasionally during a prolonged rainstorm.

I’d go with 1-1/2” . Your finish carpenter will have to do custom window jamb depth adjustment to accommodate the measurement difference either way. I used 1/2” plywood back in the day, It was that or OSB.

On humid mornings when I’m outside I can see where the studs are due to thermal conductivity. Even though they are 2x6’s .

 

[Harvey]

Super helpful info.

Is Zip more compromised by overnailing vs Tyvek?

 

[Joneski73]

Super helpful info.

Is Zip more compromised by overnailing vs Tyvek?

I would say yes, since the tyvek is applied over the OSB or the plywood.

 

[Harvey]

I would say yes, since the tyvek is applied over the OSB or the plywood.

I'm confused. Where does the zip go?

 

[Campgottagopee]

I'm confused. Where does the zip go?

It replaces the OSB board. Basically it's OSB with tyvek melted into one side. It's great stuff.