Vinyl siding is commonly used in new home construction.
Siding for houses includes painted clapboards, shingles and fiber cement, cedar and other woods, and vinyl. Vinyl siding is popular in the U.S., capturing more than 30 percent of the new house construction market. It is also often used for residing houses---replacing or covering the existing siding with a new shell. But paint remains the most common protective skin for houses.
Colors of Siding
Every house that is not constructed of stone, brick or concrete needs a protective shell. Exterior house paints are available in a huge range of colors, and if you cannot find the one you want, your local paint store can mix it for you. Vinyl siding now is available in a wide range of colors, from white to pastels to deep reds, greens and browns. The color of the exterior of your house has an impact on its energy efficiency and conservation no matter what material you use.
Energy Efficiency in Warmer Climates
In warmer climates, such as the South and Southwest, the most energy efficient color for the exterior of a house is white, followed by pastels. The whiter the finish, the more heat from the sun is reflected back to the atmosphere. Energy Secretary Steven Chu recommended in 2009 that American householders and business owners paint their roofs white to help prevent global warming.
Energy Efficiency in Colder Climates
In colder climates, darker colors are often used for the exterior of house because those colors absorb heat from the sun. This is the reason solar collectors are dark. A house with a dark exterior becomes something of a solar collector, helping with heating bills in the winter. Of course, dark colors also absorb heat in the summer, which could raise cooling bills. Roof overhangs are sometimes used to alleviate summertime heat absorption. Since the sun is low in the sky in the winter, a roof overhang does not prevent sunlight from hitting the sides of the house, whereas in the summer, the sun is high and the roof overhang protects the house from sunlight.
Other Energy Efficiency Factors
Other factors can impact the energy efficiency of your siding. First, some vinyl siding, is manufactured with an insulating layer, which can add greatly to its energy efficiency. Second, the exterior of a home can become worn, damaged and cracked. Cracks in the shell of a house, whatever its material, detract greatly from its ability to conserve energy.
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