Reflected Sunlight from Low-E Windows
The most surprising cause of siding warping in Central Michigan is actually a neighbor’s window. Modern energy-efficient “Low-E” windows are designed to reflect heat. In some cases, the window can act like a magnifying glass, concentrating a beam of intense heat onto your siding. This can raise the surface temperature well above 160°F, causing the vinyl to shrivel and sag.
You will usually notice this pattern as an arc-shaped melt or ripples that appear under and around specific windows on your home or a nearby house.
Grilling and Household Heat Sources
We all love a backyard BBQ, but your grill is a major enemy of your siding. Placing a grill, fire pit, or even a patio heater too close to your house is a leading cause of siding warping in Central Michigan. The intense radiant heat from a hot grill can melt a vinyl panel in minutes.
Always keep your heat sources at least 10 feet away from the wall to protect your home’s exterior from “localized melting.”
Improper Installation and Spacing
Not all warping is caused by heat. If your siding was nailed too tightly to the wall, it doesn’t have room to expand and contract as the temperature changes. This results in “buckling” or “rippling” that looks like warping. In the siding warping Central Michigan market, we check to see if panels can slide horizontally; if they are locked in place, they will eventually bow outward.
Proper installation requires a small gap between the nail head and the siding hem to allow the material to “float.”
Dark Colors and Sun Exposure
Darker siding colors absorb significantly more heat than lighter ones. If your home has dark charcoal or deep blue siding and faces the direct south or west sun, it is at a higher risk for siding warping in Central Michigan. Modern premium sidings use “cool-color” technology to combat this, but older or lower-quality dark panels are prone to softening in the intense July sun.
Homeowners in Mt. Pleasant, Alma, Midland, and Clare should consider the orientation of their home when choosing a bold new siding color.
Call Energy Plus Home Improvements
Have “wavy” siding that needs a fix? Energy Plus Home Improvements can diagnose the heat source and provide a durable siding solution that lasts.
