So let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon.

Warping vinyl siding has occurred before. In fact, the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) issued a warning about such distortion over 8 years ago. The Institute reported that a number of other variables can contribute to siding distortion:

• outdoor temperature and wind speed
• how close other heat sources are, such as air conditioning compressors
• color and solar absorption of the vinyl siding (darker colors absorb more heat)
• the heat distortion temperature of the vinyl siding (cheap siding has a low distortion temp)
• architectural designs that block wind and trap heat
• angle of the sun and orientation of the glass relative to the vinyl siding
• distance of the window to the vinyl siding

It’s usually a combination of one or more contributing factors that occur before the siding “melts”. Even home-builders are reluctant to blame the neighbor’s windows, and point to a variety of factors that could affect the intensity of the reflected sunlight.

Each case needs to be investigated on an individual basis.

For example, melting can occur from the reflection and radiant heat of a dark roof, or the pavement, or some underlayments. And crazy at it may seem, even an interior vapor barrier installed behind drywall can trap enough heat under the right conditions to affect siding. Alcoves that block the wind, overhangs that trap convected heat, and inside corners that capture glass reflections…these can all contribute to the problem.

A home inspector friend of mine agrees—there are other contributing factors that can cause vinyl siding to warp, buckle and melt. He’s observed it mostly in newer neighborhoods, where the homes are built really close to one another.

And it could be the quality of the siding.

According to current manufacturing standards, normal grade vinyl siding begins to distort at 160 – 165 degrees. That’s pretty low to begin with. Now consider that newer homes and retrofits have darker siding options—grays and beiges—which absorb considerably more heat than white siding when exposed to reflected or even direct sunlight.

Research from Cardinal Glass Industries shows that vinyl siding with high solar absorbency can distort from solar reflections from all glass products, including clear glass as well as glass with one or multiple Low-E coatings.

In my opinion, Low-E windows are not the problem.

Local building codes all over the country now require installation of energy-efficient windows with Low-E coatings. Low-E glass and energy-efficient construction make good sense for your home and for the environment. We’ve saved millions of dollars in energy because of these requirements, plus we substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the lower energy consumption. Low-E windows are here to stay.

I think what’s happening is more indicative of the cheap, lower grade siding commonly used by tract builders. Maybe you’ve heard toe saying, “Cheap is the most expensive price to pay.” Wood and metal siding products, which cost more, react to reflected solar radiation at much higher temperatures. Inferior products just can’t be trusted to hold up under extreme conditions.

So what’s a homeowner to do? Choose siding with a high heat distortion rating, high solar reflectivity, and a light color. If you already have vinyl siding that may be affected by heat distortion, plant shrubbery or trees to deflect heat, and in some cases screens or awnings can help.

For more technical information about vinyl siding distortion, you can read the Cardinal IG technical bulletin here.

Gas fills between window panes have shown a measurable improvement in the thermal performance of windows and patio doors.

Our windows and doors are filled with argon gas. It is inexpensive, non-toxic, clear and odorless.

Krypton gas has a higher thermal rating than argon, but it is much more expensive to produce. It is also clear, non-toxic, non-reactive and odorless.

The tradeoff is that krypton performs best in a window where the space between the glass is about 1/4 to 3/8 inch. For this reason, it is more commonly used in triple pane windows.

The atmospheric pressure can affect windows that have so little space between the glass. Tests have revealed that Krypton has a higher gas leakage rate than argon as well.

The Renewal by Andersen Fibrex composite replacement window is designed with a wider space between the panes, 1/2 inch, and that additional space plus the argon gas, Low E4 coating and Smart Sun glazing provides excellent efficiency, without the risk of seal failure.

Thanks for your question.

Now they’re calling me a SUPERHERO! (I think I like that better than a Plunger.) According to Special Olympics VA, February 6 proved fans will stop at nothing in support of them and their annual Polar Plunge Festival. 2,636 thrill-seekers took the icy dip this year, despite snow, rain, sleet and wind, raising $861,000 (and counting!) for Special Olympics! If you were there, you’re a SUPERHERO too! Thank you for coming out and supporting us. You can see more crazy photos here, and read the full story on my replacement windows website.

The folks at the Atlantic Shores Christian Academy dared me to take a dip into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean in support of Special Olympics Virginia. This year I accepted. To date, the event has raised $4.7 million for the organization.

You don’t need to risk hypothermia to be a Plunge hero. IEven though it’s too late for you to register (or take my place) for this year’s bone-chilling challenge, if you’re in the area, please come out and cheer me on while I “suit up” for the winter swim.

Even if you don’t want to catch a few waves or cheer me on, it’s a great cause, and you can make a donation through the Mr. Rogers Windows Foundation (earmark PLUNGE on your check). We can all make a difference, and this is a fun way to do it.

The fun starts Friday night with a rockin’ plunge party, and on Saturday there’s a costume parade and contest, pee wee plunge, ice carving and more before the main event at 2:30 pm. I love the gigantic sand sculptures.

Special Olympics Virginia is indeed a very special organization. They provide year-round programming in sports training and athletic competition specifically for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Serving almost 10,000 special athletes across seven regional offices and through 28 area programs, Special Olympics Virginia is also proudly part of a dynamic global movement, which is now in more than 180 countries and represents over three million athletes worldwide.

Using sports to influence social change, Special Olympics VA wants to open our collective hearts and minds about people with intellectual disabilities.

Their mission is to provide participants with exciting and competitive athletic opportunities that will help them to develop and improve physical fitness and motor skills, as well as build self-confidence and promote a positive self-image.

And thanks to the assistance and generous support of more than 20,000 wonderful volunteers and partners around the state, these special athletes don’t have to pay in order to achieve their dreams.

Air infiltration, more commonly referred to as Air Leakage (AL) when it comes to windows and doors, is effected by weather conditions such as wind and temperature. It is a rating that tells you if the window is drafty or not. The Efficient Window Collaborative recommends a rating of 0.30; the lower, the better.

Quite franky, most manufactured windows are designed to meet this standard or better. And that’s why they don’t often include the rating on their NFRC label. It’s optional.

Most manufacturers already participate in the certification program adopted by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), that includes air infiltration, water leakage, structural resistance to pressure (like wind), and even resistance to forced or criminal entry.

A gold label on the inside jamb of a new or replacement window indicates it passes the AAMA 101 design and performance standard.

80 – 90% of manufacturers easily pass the test and the NFRC suggests that air leakage issues in many windows are the result of improper installation.

You may see mention of leakage and infiltration in marketing literature, but there is not a significant difference among manufactured windows that meet this requirement. Of course every reputable manufacturer should be able to provide these independent test results to you if asked.

If you live in an area prone to weather extremes and wind-driven rain, you may also be interested in reading my post on Design Pressure (DP) ratings, which is included in the ANSI/AAMA test as well.

I hope that helps clear up some of the confusion.

It is only the international relief effort that will give these people hope.

As citizens of this planet and children of God we all have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Therefore for the next 3 months for every window we sell we will donate $10 directly to the relief effort. We will make this donation to the International Red Cross and World Vision and designate it for the relief. Both organizations have had relief efforts on the streets in Haiti within hours of the quake.

• DONORS BEWARE

Be careful. Send your donations only to charities with an established track record of helping people in this region. World Vision and the Red Cross both have staff in Haiti. But don’t be sucked in by fly-by-night “charities” ready to advantage of your generosity. They’re out there.

Do not respond to high pressure or emotional appeals. Don’t let yourself be pressured into contributing over the phone. If you are not familiar with a charity, get detailed information in writing. And remember, you have a right to say no. No legitimate organization will pressure you to give immediately.

Also beware of e-mails from people claiming to be victims. Unless you know the sender personally, it is better to give to charities.

• SEND A CHECK, NOT MERCHANDISE OR GOODS

The best way you can help is by sending a check. Cash donations allow charities to buy the most needed type of food, medicine, clothing, shelter materials and other supplies. Typically, buying relief products locally or regionally means less shipping costs and quicker assistance. Charities are best suited to make the product purchases.

If you do decide to send goods, please run it by your chosen charity first. For example, after the tsunami, boxes of donated winter coats, scarves and fuzzy hats, completely useless items in tsunami stricken nations with tropical climates, were sent to these nations. Let’s make sure we get the right supplies to the citizens of this devastated area.

Yes, it is possible and actually quite common to replace the glass in a sidelite.

Since I am not certain what kind of door or sidelite you have, I will give you some general guidelines to solving this problem. The glass unit in any window opening is referred to as an IG unit, Insulating Glass Unit. If you have a plain glass sidelite, you should be able to contact a glass company with the approximate dimensions of the IG unit you wish to replace. They can provide you with an approximate quote.

If you decide to proceed, be sure the size is exactly right before ordering. Remove the trim that surrounds the glass and measure in three places: top, middle and bottom. You will need to use the measurement that best satisfies the opening… it may be the smallest measurement or the middle measurement. This can be determined by observation of the opening when the trim is removed.

Glass companies can install the IG unit for you or you can do it yourself. Sidelites and doors are generally manufactured in three parts: door slab, glass and plastic decorative molding. The only thing that is sealed to the door slab is the molding, which keeps the IG unit square and aligned in the opening.

However, there are two seals that need to be airtight. As long as the IG unit is sealed to the plastic decorative molding, and the molding is sealed to the door slab with good quality caulk, it should be as good as new…

Let me know how the project goes.

I have been in this business for 25 years, and I have never seen a government program that offered this much money toward windows and doors replacements! Virginia’s Energy Efficiency Rebate Program offers homeowners an exceptional opportunity to make energy-efficient home improvements extremely affordable.

Just take a look at these figures: the State rebate amount pays 20% of the cost, up to $2,000 per household, on new replacement windows or doors–and that includes the cost of labor to install them. Plus, the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is paying up to $250 for you to get an energy audit.

And don’t forget that $1500 federal tax credit we’ve all been talking about. So with the 20% from the State of VA and the 30% from the federal government, you can cover your replacement window costs to a total of $3500. That’s pretty good.

I’m on the energy conservation bandwagon too, so if you are interested in replacing your windows and/or doors or improving your energy efficiency with a new awning window, see what finance programs and end-of-year discounts we’re offering.

In order to be eligible for the Virginia Residential Energy Efficiency rebate, you must first register with the program. Start the process by reserving the funds for your window or door replacement project with the Division of Energy. Funds will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so you have to act now, because you won’t want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime combination of savings.

I get asked this question very often, in one form or another. So when I came across it again online I tried to respond. Unfortunately the comments were closed, and that’s why I’m posting it now. Here is the rest of the question:

My house is 20 years old and most of the seals have broken and the windows are fogged. We are looking at replacement options and have found that vinyl is a lot less expensive than wood or composite. Our house is worth about $500k and we don’t want to hurt our resell since we will be moving within the next 3-5 years. Will vinyl windows hurt the resell value in a house in our price range?”

Yes, and no.

There are some high quality vinyl windows available today with energy efficient properties that would probably add to the value of your house versus repairing the current wood sashes. It depends on their condition.

But your house is only worth what people are willing to pay for it. I’m guessing that your 20-year-old house in an established neighborhood has a definite aesthetic appeal that inexpensive vinyl windows will not be able to accomplish. Vinyl frames are thicker than those of wood or composite materials like FIBREX. Plus rarely have I seen vinyl windows that actually match or complement the exterior finish of a house that isn’t white, gray or tan. They just won’t look right, and who wants to be the house people point to and say, “There goes the neighborhood!”

You may think vinyl windows are a good choice because of price, and because you’ll never get away from the ongoing, annual maintenance of painting wood windows and the moisture issues that go with them. But there are other options to consider that can be very economical—especially if you buy windows that will qualify you for the $1500 federal energy tax credit (1500 tax credit windows).

With the savings in monthly energy costs, ongoing maintenance expenses and the tax credits available today (check the Energy Star website and my tax credit posts), you stand a good chance to recover your entire replacement window investment in a few years, increase the resale value of your real estate, plus improve your monthly cash flow.

A good resource for resale values is the annual Cost vs. Value Report issued by Remodeling Magazine. Good luck with your project.