High Efficiency Windows Melting Siding

In case you aren t familiar with them low e a k a.

High efficiency windows melting siding. It happens when a home s vinyl siding melts from the heat of sunlight reflected off nearby energy efficient windows. The heating effect on the siding is greatest when the incidence of reflection is at its lower end. Once the sun s rays hit the glass windows they bounce back the heat to your siding causing it to melt. So let s take a closer look at how windows can melt siding.

Window glare melting siding and artificial turf grass has been the cause of arguments between neighbors countless dollars spent in repairs and even the subject of class action law suits. And not the windows of the afflicted property but rather nearby windows that reflect sunlight onto vinyl clad walls. According to experts the culprit must be the sun reflecting off you or your neighbors low e windows. 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.

This will keep the solar heat gain coefficient shgc down designed to increase energy efficiency in the summer months when a home has its air conditioning running. Low emittance windows have a coating on them that suppresses radiative heat flow. Windows these days are extremely energy efficient. However such an endeavor will cost you up to three times more than regular siding.

If you ve noticed melted vinyl siding on your home the cause could be your well intentioned next door neighbor s new windows. Low e windows create much more reflected light than standard glass windows and when these reflections hit vinyl siding they can cause it to melt. Something strange is happening in newer subdivisions across the country. Low e windows melting siding combine low e glass facing south or southwest homes that are close together with vinyl siding and the sun and you get a recipe for melting siding.

Energy star windows are so energy efficient that they have materials like titanium zinc dioxide and crystalline structures to help reflect sunlight from the windows. Vinyl siding is melting off homes. Users asked for a warranty because of this issue but vinyl siding manufacturers denied their requests. Energy efficient windows make up more than 90 percent of all new window installations in the u s according to a survey by the national association of home builders.

Experts call the problem of melting vinyl siding solar distortion. Vinyl siding melting i own a home that has this melting occur the siding is on a wall located one meter 3 feet from and positioned at 90 degrees perpendicular to one of these high end windows.