Is Your Vinyl Siding Melting? Find Out The Cause And The Solution

by Troy Assaly | Mar 25, 2022 | Artificial Turf Melting, Exterior Window Shades, EZ Snap, Vinyl Siding Melting

Why is my vinyl siding warping?

It’s happening to homes across North America and homeowners are scrambling to fix their siding only to see it warp again.

It’s a relatively new phenomenon and while the vinyl siding might seem to warp out of the blue, it’s actually being caused by the sun reflecting off of windows that are coated with Low-E film.

Low-E film is a reflective coating that’s applied to windows so they can reflect heat and make homes more energy efficient.

However, under the right conditions, the sun can bounce off the Low-E window and concentrate into a powerful beam that can reach temperatures well over 200° F.

So, most of the time when vinyl siding melts or warps it’s because that’s where a beam from a Low-E window has landed.

The reason why the siding warps is not because it’s a defective product. It was just never intended to be exposed to temperatures that high, as most vinyl siding will melt at just 165° F.

Just one Low-E glass window can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Most people don’t even realize what’s happening or why, they just see that large patches of siding have been warped or artificial turf has been scorched.

This is a relatively new problem and it’s rapidly growing every year because most new homes are being built with Low-E windows.

Melted siding has now become so widespread that the major vinyl siding manufacturers have updated their warranties to exclude damage from heat caused by window reflections.

Making things even more complicated is that a lot of the time it’s a neighbor’s Low-E window that is causing the damage.

So if this is happening to you or your neighbor, do not replace any damaged siding or artificial grass yet.

The window is the source of the heat beam, so that needs to be addressed first.

If you replace your siding or your turf without first fixing the window, you’ll just end up having to replace the same things again and again.

What’s the best way to stop my siding from melting?

The window is the problem, specifically the way the sun is reflecting off the Low-E coating.

Replacing the window may seem like the most obvious solution, but it’s not necessary.

Getting a window replaced is costly, and most Low-E glass windows are relatively new, energy-efficient, and are otherwise in good working order.

As long as you can block the sunlight from hitting the window in the first place, you can stop the heat beam from forming.

Do not install a product between the vinyl siding and the window as a means of protecting the house.

Anything that is in the path of the heat beam will get damaged, so installing something like a fence or umbrella would just mean constantly replacing something else instead of siding.

The key is to keep direct sunlight off the Low-E window.

Common ways to prevent your vinyl siding from melting are:

Installing an awning over the Low-E window that’s causing the issue.
Planting some shade trees in from of the low-e window.
Investing in heat resistant siding.
Installing shade screen over the Low-E window.

Some people recommend installing awnings over their Low-E windows as a way to block the sun from hitting them.

This solution can work because it blocks the sun from directly hitting the glass, but it does have some drawbacks.

It’s one of the more expensive options, and awnings require a lot of maintenance.

They can easily get damaged by wind if they are left extended, so they can really only be used so long as you are home.

Retracting your awning every time you leave the house may mean that the sun can still hit your Low-E window and form hot spots.

So even with an awning, you could still run into the same melted siding problems.

Planting some strategic trees as a means of shade would work, but again it’s not a practical solution.

Shade trees are expensive and not everyone has the available space to be able to plant a large shade tree.

Replacing melted siding with a heat-resistant type of siding is an option, but it’s by far the most costly as it would mean having to replace the siding for the entire house.

Some people have taken the step to replace their siding with heat-resistant vinyl siding.

This is by far the most expensive option as it can easily run into the thousands of dollars to replace the existing siding on a house with heat-resistant siding.

The easiest and cheapest solution is to cover the window that’s causing the damage.

Painting over the outside of the window is cheap and easy and provides an immediate fix to the problem.

However, the entire point of having a window in the first place is to get natural light into your space.

Installing EZ Snap window shade over the Low-E window is the best way to fix a window while still keeping natural light.

EZ Snap works by blocking 90 percent of the sun’s heat and light from ever reaching the glass.

What does reflect off the glass gets filtered a second time on its way back out, ensuring that no hot spots can form from any Low-E glass reflections.

To see how well the shading mesh works in action, here’s a review a customer sent in who had a Low-E window that was melting their siding. The video shows both the before and after of how EZ Snap stopped the hot spots from forming.

EZ Snap can be installed on almost any size and type of window.

Because EZ Snap uses an optical grade mesh, you still get to keep your view as well.

It’s also easy enough to install that you don’t need any previous experience.

Follow more information on how our line of shade products can prevent your melted siding and artificial grass from melting

3 Best Ways to Cover Triangular or Arched Windows

by Troy Assaly | Mar 19, 2021 | Exterior Window Shades, EZ Snap, Save Energy, Window Shades

Putting blinds or shades on triangular-shaped windows or arched windows can be expensive and difficult to do. Most typical blinds or shading products are designed to work with square or rectangular windows. Triangle-shaped windows are usually found on A-frame style homes, while rounded or curved arched windows (cathedral windows) are more common. With both triangular or arched windows, a shading or blind product is typically custom made, as there really is no common size for these windows.

Here are the 3 best ways to cover triangle or arched windows.

1. Custom Interior Blinds for Triangular or Curved Windows

There are many interior blind companies that will custom make an interior blind for arched or triangular windows. The benefit of these types of window shades is that you can have them match the rest of your interior shades. Because they have to be custom-made for your specific window, they are usually very expensive. Many times these interior blinds are made to permanently cover the window and usually do not open to let in light or see the view. Another downside to interior blinds versus exterior shading produce is that interior blinds are up to 7 times less effective at stopping heat than exterior shades. The main reason for this is because the interior blinds stop the heat on the inside of the window after the heat has already gotten into the house.

2. Painting Over the Triangular or Arched Window.

This solution is as simple as it gets.

Block the light, you will block the heat. Painting the glass of the window will stop light from getting through and will result in reducing the light and heat all for the cost of a can of paint.

The obvious downside with painting the glass is that it is a fairly permanent fix. This one is as simple as it sounds. The key to cooling a hot skylight is to stop the sun before it gets through the glass.

If you can block the light, you can block the heat. Painting over your skylight will stop light from getting through and will keep your house much cooler for just the cost of a can of paint.

The main drawback with painting your window glass is that it is a fairly permanent fix. Scraping paint off is time-consuming and you will most likely end up with scratches on the surface of the glass.

Be sure to first prime the window glass with a product like Zinnser Bullseye Primer

3. EZ Snap® Exterior Shading System.

The EZ Snap system is not only the least expensive option, but it has the added benefit of retaining your view. The EZ Snap shading mesh is an optical grade and so you are able to clearly see through them with a clear and undistorted view.

The EZ Snap sunscreens block up to 90% of the sun’s heating rays while letting in 10% of the full-spectrum sunlight. This is great for plants that need some diffused light and it also provides sufficient ambient light in the room.

The magic that makes this such a great option for these odd-shaped windows is the fact that the EZ Snap heat blocking mesh is a non-fray material. This feature is what allows you custom size and shape the shades on-site for a perfect fit every time. The patented EZ Snap system features this special encapsulated weave that can be easily cut with a sharp pair of scissors without the need for hemming the edges.

Whichever method you choose to cover your odd-shaped windows remember that the US Department of Energy concluded that exterior blinds and shades are up to seven times more effective at stopping heat from entering the home than interior blinds or window tinting.

How Much EZ Snap Window Shades Can Lower the Home Temperature?

by Mike Letendre | Mar 8, 2019 | Exterior Window Shades, EZ Snap, News & Announcements

How much of a difference will EZ Snap make?

It’s a common question that we get. People want to know that a product will deliver if they are going to spend their hard earned money on it.

So, if you ever wondered what kind of temperature difference EZ Snap exterior shade screen can make then you’ll want to read this.

It’s already well known that the best way to cut down on heat is to use exterior shade.

The reason why it’s such an effective method at reducing solar heat gain is because it stops the heat from entering the house.

It’s why window blinds and drapes are not effective at keeping a house cool. They are on the wrong side of the glass.

Windows are typically the source for up to 48% of the heat build up inside a home, and blinds can only knock down a fraction of that.

That’s because when your shade is on the inside of the glass, then the heat has already gotten inside the house and you are fighting a losing battle.

The key is to stop the solar heat from ever getting inside the house in the first place, and that is what exterior shade provides.

EZ Snap exterior shades can stop up to 90% of solar heat, which means you will get a more comfortable space and a lower energy bill.

As for what kind of difference that means in temperature, here are some customer reviews of our shades that show what our shade kits can do.

Window Shade Temperature Difference

James wrote to us because he was ready to install another AC unit before finding EZ Snap.

“I have been searching for years for an inexpensive way to cool my upstairs.

I was almost ready to put in a second HVAC system when I stumbled upon EZ Snap. The windows face west and they get pummeled by the sun.

I just installed these and with my thermal imaging camera there is a 23 degree difference between the window with the solar shade and the one without.

I could not even believe it. I went back every hour to check and it was still the same readings!

The install was super easy and it actually looks decent. I was worried they would look like covers over the windows but they appear more like thick window screens.

Hopefully they hold up long term, but for the price you really can’t beat it! Thank you so much!”

We also get a lot of people who call to tell us about their hot skylights.

The difference that one skylight with a lot of sun exposure can make to a room is astounding.

We’ve heard from customers who tell us they’ve abandoned entire rooms because of how unbearable they can get from a hot skylight.

With EZ Snap skylight shades, you can get your house back.

Skylight Shade Temperature Difference

Here’s a customer review from Bob G. that shows the temperature difference EZ Snap made in their kitchen:

“Our kitchen has a number of southern facing windows plus skylights. When the outside temperature got more than 90 degrees – the kitchen would get into the high 80’s.

We ordered enough for two skylights and four windows with the EZ Snap system. Shipping was super fast and the packaging was well done.

The system was super simple to install. The install took about two hours, including going up and down on the roof.

After we installed, the temperature in the kitchen stayed in the 70’s even as it got to 90 degrees outside. Take a look at the picture – you can see the outside temp is 93 degrees, while it is a cool 76 degrees inside.”

With that kind of temperature swing, EZ Snap shades end paying for themselves through lower energy costs.

Follow this link if you would like more information about our line of shade products.

Don’t Replace Your Old Windows with Low-E Glass – Use Shade Screens

by Troy Assaly | Dec 13, 2018 | Exterior Window Shades, EZ Snap, News & Announcements, Save Energy

Window Shades

Skylight Shades

RV Skirting

RV Shades

Boat Shades

Imagine losing $1000 from your income every single year.

For most American households, that’s roughly how much it will cost to heat and cool their home for the year.

That adds up, especially when every dollar counts.

It’s no surprise that people are looking for ways to save on energy costs.

Typically, windows are the worst energy culprits on any given house.

Heat gain and heat loss through windows account for between 25%-30% of a home’s energy use for heating and cooling.

If a window has failing seals, it will perform even worse.

Even the type of the window frame can affect energy performance.

If the window frame is made from a material that is a poor insulator, such as aluminum, it can create what’s known as a thermal bridge and conduct heat from inside the house to outside.

One inefficient window can lose as much heat as 10 to 20 times what an insulated wall would lose.

Even if your window is new and well sealed, it could still be the cause for a lot of energy use in your home.

Solar energy is still able to pass through glass, so even an insulated window can heat up a room quickly if it gets a lot of sun.

In the dead heat of summer, having even just one window or skylight that gets a lot of sun exposure can mean the AC is running all day just to cool the room off.

So What Can Be Done?

The most common recommendation to make old windows more energy efficient is to replace them entirely with new, low-e windows.

Low-e windows are windows that have been treated with a film that reflects solar heat while still letting natural light pass through.

With less solar heat entering the home, the AC no longer has to work as hard to keep the house cool.

The less energy the AC uses, the more savings there are for the homeowner.

Is replacing old windows with new ones worth the cost?

There will be energy savings from replacing old windows with new, low-e glass windows but it comes with a substantial upfront cost.

The National Association of Realtors estimates the cost of replacing every window in a 2,450 square foot house to be around $19,000.

For a household trying to save money in energy bills, that’s a very large investment with a slow return.

What are some more cost effective alternatives to replacing an old window?

The most important thing to do with old windows is stop any exchange of air between the inside and outside of your house.

For drafty windows, using a product like rope caulk to seal up any holes can make a major improvement.

Plastic film insulation is another popular and effective solution for sealing up older windows.

Both options are inexpensive and simple enough for anyone to apply.

For windows that get a lot of sun exposure, a quick and easy way to make them more energy efficient is to mount exterior shade mesh on them (also called shade screen or solar screen/mesh/fabric).

There are a lot of different kinds of shade mesh available, but they all work by the same principle.

It’s a mesh fabric, and like low-e glass, it works by blocking solar heat and light, while still letting natural light through.

Unlike low-e glass, which is a film that’s been applied to the glass, solar mesh is installed on the exterior of the window.

Applying the shade screen to the outside of a window is key for it’s ability to keep a room cool.

If it’s applied to the inside of a window it will still work but not nearly as well.

If it’s mounted on the inside the screen will still provide shade from the sun, but the energy savings will be significantly less because the heat will be trapped inside the house.

If you are considering shade screens for your home and don’t know which one to choose, the easiest and best option is EZ Snap.

They sell do-it-yourself kits that let you mount and cut your mesh to your window, no matter it’s size or shape.

EZ Snap is also a fraction of the cost of what you would pay to buy and install new windows.

You save on the price of the product, and because you are able to install it yourself, you save on labor as well.

EZ Snap shade screen is also better at blocking solar heat than low-e glass.

The effectiveness of heat blocking applications for windows is measured by the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC).

The SHGC is the amount of solar radiation (heat) that transmits through a window.

It’s measured between 0 and 1, and the less solar heat that transmits through a window, the lower a window’s SHGC number is going to be.

There are a lot of low-e glass makes and models, but the range of SHGC for most of them from varies between 0.60 – 0.25.

Shade mesh from EZ Snap has a SHGC of .18.

Something else to consider is that low-e windows are known to damage turf and siding.

In the right conditions, the solar heat that they reflect can focus into a hot spot creating a magnifying glass effect that melts anything in its path.

The problem is becoming so rampant with the rising popularity of low-e windows that one scientist is calling them, “the next asbestos.”

If you or your neighbor has a low-e window that is damaging property, EZ Snap is also the ideal solution.

Rather than replace the entire window, installing EZ Snap window shade over the problem window provides a fast and effective fix.

The solar heat is reflected off of the mesh before it ever reaches the window, preventing any chance of a hot spot forming.

The result is 100 percent effective and can be installed in as little as an afternoon.

An added benefit to an exterior shade product like EZ Snap is that it’s also removable. So, when the winter months come you can take it off and benefit from the natural heating you get with the sun.

It’s like getting free heat in the winter.

No matter which window option you choose to make your home more energy efficient, it’s important to do your research before making a final decision.

You want to make sure that you are going to be getting the maximum return for your investment.

Replacing your windows might be worth the cost, or it might make more sense to invest in solutions that are able to make your existing windows more energy efficient.