When you look at your home’s exterior, you probably notice the siding, the material that gives your house its color, style, and character.
While siding plays an important role in your home’s appearance, its most important job happens beneath the surface. Behind that layer of siding is an entire system working together to keep your home protected from the elements.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s going on behind your siding, here’s a straightforward look at the layers that shield your home from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.
The Sheathing
The first layer behind your siding is typically the sheathing.
This is a structural layer made from materials like plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) that covers the frame of your house. Sheathing gives the walls strength and stability, helping your home stand up to strong winds and other forces. It also provides a flat, even surface for siding installation.
Sheathing isn’t waterproof by itself, but it does act as a crucial barrier that supports the layers above it.
The Weather-Resistant Barrier (WRB)
Directly on top of the sheathing is the weather-resistant barrier, sometimes called house wrap.
This layer acts as a moisture shield, blocking wind-driven rain or snow from getting to the sheathing while still allowing water vapor to escape. That breathability is essential, as it prevents trapped moisture inside the walls, which could otherwise lead to rot, mold, or mildew.
Popular WRB materials include synthetic wraps like Tyvek® or other similar products, which are lightweight but highly effective at keeping moisture out.
Flashing
Around areas like windows, doors, roof edges, and corners, flashing is used to seal potential weak spots.
Flashing materials, often made from metal or flexible membranes, redirect water away from these vulnerable joints to prevent leaks. Without properly installed flashing, water can easily find its way behind the siding and into your home’s structure.
Insulation (Sometimes)
While not always installed directly behind the siding, some homes include an added layer of rigid foam insulation between the WRB and the siding.
This helps improve energy efficiency by reducing drafts and minimizing heat transfer through the walls. It’s an extra line of defense, particularly useful in colder climates.
The Siding
Finally, there’s the siding itself, the part you see every day. Whether your home has vinyl, wood, fiber cement, or composite siding, its job is to shield the layers beneath from rain, wind, and UV rays while giving your home its finished look.
Your siding is part of a much larger system designed to protect your home. When all these layers are properly installed and maintained, they work together to prevent water damage, boost energy efficiency, and help your home stand strong for the long haul.
If your siding is showing signs of wear or damage, addressing it quickly helps preserve the entire protective system, not just what’s on the surface.
The Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality roofing and remodeling company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
