Warped vinyl siding usually has one of two causes: too much heat or improper installation. Vinyl is a plastic, so it softens and distorts when it gets too hot, and it buckles when it is nailed so tightly that it cannot expand and contract. Both problems can often be prevented, but once a panel has warped it cannot be repaired and has to be replaced.
What Causes Warped Vinyl Siding
Heat From the Sun
Because vinyl is plastic, it can distort and even melt if it gets hot enough. Bad warping often shows up in the summer, on the walls that get the most direct sun. A grill placed too close to the house can do the same thing in a much smaller area.
Warping is more common with darker vinyl or dark paint colors, because dark surfaces absorb more heat than light ones.
Cold Weather
Vinyl siding expands in heat and contracts in cold. During an especially cold winter, siding that has already been stressed can contract and warp even more.
Improper Installation
The other common cause is siding that was fastened too tightly. Vinyl siding should not be pinned flat against the house. It is meant to hang from its fasteners so it can slide from side to side as the temperature changes.
If the nails are driven too tight, the panel cannot move. When it expands, it has nowhere to go, so it buckles and warps.
How to Check Whether Your Siding Is Too Tight
You can test this yourself. Take hold of a panel and try to slide it sideways. You should be able to move it about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from side to side. If it will not budge, it was probably nailed too tightly, and it is at higher risk of warping.
How to Prevent Vinyl Siding From Warping
Choose a Lighter Color
A lighter color reflects a good amount of light and heat, so the siding absorbs less of it. This is one of the simplest ways to lower the chance of warping, especially on walls that face the afternoon sun.
Be Careful When Painting Vinyl
If you are painting your vinyl siding, do not choose a color darker than the existing one. The siding may not be able to handle the extra heat a darker color absorbs. Avoid oil-based coatings as well, because they tend to crack when applied to vinyl.
Insist on Proper Installation
Make sure whoever installs or repairs the siding leaves it free to move. Correct fastening matters as much as the product itself.
Shade the Hottest Walls
Anything that keeps direct sun off a wall reduces the heat the siding has to absorb. On a south or west wall over a deck or patio, retractable awnings shade the wall as well as the people sitting under them, and window awnings do the same for the areas around sunny windows.
Can Warped Vinyl Siding Be Repaired?
No. Once vinyl siding has warped, it will not return to its original shape. The damaged panels need to be replaced, and the cause should be fixed at the same time so the new panels do not warp too.
While the wall is being looked at, check the windows on that side of the house. Intense sun and heat are hard on old window frames and seals, and a wall that is getting new siding panels is a convenient time to consider vinyl replacement windows.
Get Help With a Sun-Beaten Wall
If one side of your house takes a beating from the sun, shade can make a real difference for both the exterior and the rooms inside. Aladdin Inc installs awnings and replacement windows for homeowners across Connecticut. Contact us today or call (203) 776-9996 to talk about your options.