When it first made an appearance in the 1960s, vinyl siding had the reputation of being cheap, vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and severe cracking. However, over the years, technologies have improved. As a result, today vinyl siding edges out aluminum siding in a popularity contest because of its availability, durability and affordability. But which type of siding is more energy efficient – aluminum or vinyl siding?
Typically thicker than aluminum siding, vinyl is a more energy efficient than aluminum. It ranges from 0.20 to 0.25 inch thicker. Thicker siding helps to stop heat from escaping and better protect your home from the elements.
It’s not just how the siding material will affect energy costs in the long-term; you should also think about how eco-friendly it is. While vinyl siding is more energy efficient (reducing energy costs), aluminum siding is generally more eco-friendly (reducing the material’s carbon footprint) because it lasts longer than vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is a man-made material; this means that the chemicals used and released during the manufacturing process can harm the environment.
