I have a question about the sound transmission through vinyl siding versus Hardiplank or other similar cement board siding. All the homes in my neighborhood are typical central Indiana tract home construction. 2×4 studs, fiberglass insulation, foam sheathing (OSB at the corners), vinyl siding. When a storm comes through, a common complaint is the noise from or through the siding. The wind makes the vinyl siding rattles and the rain’s pitter patter on the siding is heard throughout the house. I had always lived in brick or stone houses before, so when I moved in and experienced the first storm, I thought the house was going to fall down. Has my vinyl siding been installed incorrectly or if I replace the vinyl siding with hardiplank, will the house get noticably quieter?
Thanks for your comments,
ScottZB
Replies
OK. This question seemed fair enough to me. With the general willingness to opine on this site I am surprised that more answers have not been offered. With this deafening silence growing I will step in and offer my thoughts. As shallow and misguided as they may be perhaps they will provoke more knowledgeable persons to emerge from the shadows.
Hardi-plank, being heavier and more firmly attached than vinyl would, IMHO, reduce sound transmission into the house. I think this effect may be substantiated based on comparisons between similar houses faced with each material. I finish wired each house and it seemed to me that the hardi-plank house was quieter. I have no scientific or quantifiable evidence other than my general and very subjective impression. Just my 2 cents worth.
And I was timid about opining because I am very biased against vinyl siding even though I've never installed it or lived behind it. (I have replaced some windows in vinyl sided houses and hated having to deal with cutting and trimming it).
However, I agree that FC should be much quieter for the reasons you state and I, too, have not a shred of proof to back me up.
Of all the things I dont like about vinyl siding, the noise when the storms come through is the worst. I can stomache the looks of vinyl, but I cant decide which I hate worse, the siding rattling in the wind or the sound of the rain against the siding. Like you, I am assuming that replacing the vinyl with Hardi Plank would reduce the noise level. I was hoping someone on this forumn would have had experience living in a vinyl sided house that was later resided with Hardi Plank.
Thanks for you input,
ScottZB
The reason vinyl siding rattles is because the nails that hold it in place can not be set. They must be about1/16 of inch to allow expansion and contraction.
I do not know about sound berriers but I'd bet the vinyl is going to transmit more extrior nioses.
Charlie
We live behind 2x6 walls with cement siding (Eternet) and the only way we can tell that it is raining is that we can hear it on the skylights. Wind noise? none. Storm noise? The dogs are scratching on the back door for us to let them in. Extra benefit of cement siding, a fire insurance rate of a brick house which is significant when you live in a forest. Last year I repainted the place, less then 5 gal. to cover 225' of wall length and seven gables. Just love the stuff.
I don't mind vynil but can't understand why houses are built without OSB over every wall surface. Price for 7/16 is less than $7 a sheet. On sale for less than $5 right now! Person can break into your house with a sharp nife!