Neighbors Windows Melting Siding

Experts call the problem of melting vinyl siding solar distortion.

Neighbors windows melting siding.

Window siding melting can be caused by energy efficient windows reflecting high temperature solar reflections. It happens when a home s vinyl siding melts from the heat of sunlight reflected off nearby energy efficient windows. As for their builder it s not even close to a given that you can prove that the builder knew or should have known that the windows would damage your siding. And not the windows of the afflicted property but rather nearby windows that reflect sunlight onto vinyl clad walls.

Often vinyl siding melting will occur almost without warning even months or years after the installation of the material. While a grill placed too close to vinyl siding or a faulty water heater or furnace can certainly cause the material to melt the primary reason vinyl siding is melting these days is caused by windows. When energy efficient windows are under just the right conditions they can cause a neighboring house s vinyl siding to melt. It s called solar distortion better known as thermal distortion and it s much more common than you think.

If you ve noticed melted vinyl siding on your home the cause could be your well intentioned next door neighbor s new windows. The cause in this case is often a neighbor upgrading to low e windows. Low emissivity windows reject a large portion of the sun s energy thanks to special coatings applied to their exterior. Reflection from glazing on a neighbor s window generated enough heat to soften the siding causing it to ripple into a big smiley face.

Since these windows are supposed to keep the heat out of your neighbor s home the window glare and harmful rays can get deflected to your home into your vinyl sidings and it can eventually cause warped vinyl or worse melting vinyl. In fact it was melting. The best way to minimize the reflectivity associated with low e windows is to install a window film covering on the outside of the windows 3m tm exterior prestige 40 window film. Low e windows and low e glass.

The siding appeared to be melting. With that said unfortunately with a perfect storm of variables your vinyl siding could be at risk for melting from a window reflection.