Is it standard to put insulation under vinyl siding?

Question

We had a man put rooves (roofs?) over our porches and his work was fine. We decided to have him install vinyl siding too. Before we went out of town last week, he was at the house and said his computer was messed up so he was unable to print a contract for the siding. I wrote one myself which was a dumb idea - and forget to put in that he would supply and install insulation under the siding...anyway when we got back in town yesterday he had completed over half the job - and it appears to be a type of siding that I didn't choose - and I don't see any insulation...I think I'm covered on the type of siding - although I hate to say..."take all this down and start over" - but my question is - since I forgot to put insulation in the contract - am I stuck without it - or - is it something that is so standard that it would be assumed the insulation would be included in the job?

Answer 1

No, it's not standard, however adding it shouldn't cost much more if he's got to take down the wrong siding anyway.

Answer 2

You don't put insulatlion under vinyl siding, only a vapor barrier.

Answer 3

if you had say an asbestos siding in place before he started, he should have used a foam insulation of about a half inch thick, this would help the new vinyl siding float over the other. they do have vinyl siding with foam insulation already behind it

Answer 4

Insulation is usually  NOT a standard part of siding installation. It is an option that will greatly improve the efficiency of your home. If this guy installed a lot of siding, he would have offered that option to you, at an additional cost. Read the directions for the type of siding selected to see what the manufacture recommendations are. Siding can be installed with tar paper underneath, tyvek home wrap, foamboard insulation, foil type insulation, or nothing at all. You cannot assume anything when your hiring someone to do work for you, it all has to be in writing, or at least verbally agreed on with someone you trust. How did he choose the siding? Was it different then what you had already selected, or did he have the freedom to make that decision? The problem with contractors supplying materials is the obvious advantage of choosing low cost items, which may result in a substandard job due to inferior products.  I always try to get the homeowner to select and pay for the material used in remodeling their home, and only estimate the labor cost.