Insulated vinyl siding — particularly CraneBoard® Solid Core Siding® — ranks among the highest-performing energy efficient options. Performance varies by product and installation quality.
Insulated vinyl siding — particularly CraneBoard® Solid Core Siding® — ranks among the highest-performing energy efficient options. Performance varies by product and installation quality.
What makes siding energy efficient:
- Continuous insulation: Foam-back siding covers the full wall surface. Heat loss through studs that traditional batt insulation misses is stopped.
- R-2.5 savings: R-2.5 insulated siding saves energy 10x more than replacing a refrigerator. Insulated siding delivers outsized annual savings vs. other upgrades.
- Under-insulated homes: 9 out of 10 U.S. homes are under-insulated. Insulated siding is one of the most accessible ways to close that gap.
- Energy use reduction: Insulated siding can reduce heating and cooling energy use by 2 to 7%. Compared to older uninsulated walls, improvement may be meaningful season after season.
- Air tightness: Insulated siding improves home air tightness by an average of 11%. Tighter walls mean less conditioned air escaping your home.
Which Option Is Best for Your Home?
- Top Recommendation: CraneBoard® Solid Core Siding® for homeowners who want the highest thermal performance in vinyl siding.
- Best for Budget: Standard foam-back insulated panels for homeowners who want meaningful energy improvement at a lower price.
- Best for Older Homes: Complete re-siding with new house wrap for homes where air sealing will have the greatest impact.
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Last Updated: July 2026
Sources:
- The average annual energy savings from R-2.5 insulated siding is approximately 10 times the savings of replacing a standard refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR model. Polymeric Exteriors Insulated Siding Guide — Industry guidance on the performance, fire safety, and energy properties of insulated vinyl and fiber cement siding products. (Accessed April 2026)
- Nine out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. ENERGY STAR Why Seal and Insulate — ENERGY STAR’s guidance on the prevalence of under-insulation in American homes and the benefits of sealing and insulating. (Accessed April 2026)
- Compared to a home built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, insulated siding can reduce heating and cooling energy use by 2 to 7%. Polymeric Exteriors Insulated Siding Guide — Industry guidance on the performance, fire safety, and energy properties of insulated vinyl and fiber cement siding products. (Accessed April 2026)
- Insulated siding can improve a home’s air tightness by an average of 11%. Polymeric Exteriors Insulated Siding Guide — Industry guidance on the performance, fire safety, and energy properties of insulated vinyl and fiber cement siding products. (Accessed April 2026)
