Insulating vinyl siding

Claim 1

An elongate generally planar laminar construction adapted to be nailed to a subsurface for use as a siding unit for home installation, said unit having substantial insulation value, said construction comprising a continuous decorative self-supporting outer facing layer composed of a thermoplastic polymer, said facing layer exhibiting a detailed surface geometry; said facing layer having extended top and bottom edges to form, respectively, a cooperating and mating tongue-and-groove arrangement, for interengagement with other such siding units; an inert at least semi-rigid foam filler as an internal thermal barrier, and a metallic foil backing layer being directly bonded to said filler to provide an integral coherent structure; the rear surface of the top edge portion of said siding unit being tapered forwardly to thereby form a gap between said siding unit and said subsurface to which said structure is fastened, the bottom edge of said siding unit having a depending flange portion whereby the depending flange portion of an upper disposed siding unit is adapted to be seated in the gap formed between the top edge of a lower disposed siding unit and the subsurface to thereby provide a rigid connection between said siding units, said unit providing per square foot an insulation value equivalent to at least standard fiberglass insulation.