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Why New Siding is a HUGE Missed Opportunity in Residential Energy Retrofits

Shawna HendersonNovember 20, 2023

So let’s talk about exterior insulation retrofits and how they are a relatively easy project to add into a job where it's time to replace the cladding, but we can't track how many jobs have insulation added, or how much/how well it's installed. Right off the bat, it’s most cost effective to add insulation to the outside of the house and to replace windows at the same time as recladding. This is the point at which we can make the biggest difference in the long-term durability, comfort and energy performance for the homeowner. As incentive programs are often based on single measures, these two integral upgrades are often disconnected.

7 Must-Haves for a Hot House Makeover: Unveiling the Ideal Candidate for an Exterior Insulation Retrofit

Shawna HendersonNovember 09, 2023

A good time to do an exterior insulation retrofit is when it’s time to replace the siding or cladding. The best time is to do it when it’s time to replace the siding AND the windows. The best time to replace windows is when the siding needs to be replaced. Cladding, windows, roof. Replacement time means improvement time. Timing is everything. Not just for deferred maintenance, but also for the owner’s monthly budget.

QUICK PRIMER: Thermal Bridging, Dew Points, and Exterior Insulation/Air Barriers

Shawna HendersonDecember 17, 2014

Insulated sheathing materials can provide an air barrier along with a thermal barrier, and solve the biggest challenges of thermal bridging. The challenge of using insulating sheathing as an air barrier is to ensure that the R-value of the sheathing is high enough that it moves the dew point outside...