Apparently, it’s no longer enough to simply get quality Minneapolis siding. This is because when the sun and energy-efficient windows are added to the equation, things get really hot—and not in a good way. This was what happened to Joe and Sandy Cerreta, who experienced a rather uncanny physics phenomenon literally producing heat between them and their neighbors; specifically, the problem lay with their window, which reflected the heat of the sun onto the neighbor’s sidings and caused them to warp and melt.
This was a rare occurrence that up to now is still being studied by experts to understand just what is happening and how to prevent it. Unfortunately for the Cerretas and their neighbor, the rarity of it was lost to them and they had to deal with extensive rippling and distortion that warranted the replacement of the sidings two times. Sandy and Joe also had to get new windows from the same builder installed, and they could only wait until the winter months to see if their solution would work or not.
There is no confusion there; contrary to what most would assume, it was actually the winter sun causing the problem and not the summer sun. In a 2010 study, a special task force created by the National Association of Home Builders explained what happens, saying that double plane low-e window glass can warp, thereby focusing sunlight in a way not unlike a magnifying glass. Unfortunately for anything in the beam’s path—whether it be the side of a house, a car, or a tree—the 200 degree heat brings only destruction.
Incidents like these are rare, but they’ve happened many times before, including another instance in Woodbury, Minnesota that had a siding manufacturer and window manufacturer arguing on who exactly was to blame. In cases like these, one can only make sure to choose reliable contractors who have the knowledge and experience to develop a solution that fits each unique situation. For example, maybe a Minneapolis, MN siding company like Twin Cities Siding & Roofing can explore a fiber cement solution, which has been known to withstand fire, wind, hail, and even random flying objects.
Of course, knowing how to choose a reliable siding company is part of the solution. After all, if some legitimate contractors can be stumped by heat reflection, there is less of a possibility that an inexperienced—especially fake—contractor would be able to help you. To be completely sure, make sure to check for a BBB accreditation and other memberships and certifications to find out if you are putting your money where it will count.
Nature, coupled with extraordinary situations such as energy-efficient windows, is an unstoppable force. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t stack the odds in your favor; if you ever find yourself in the same situation as the Cerretas, you can only hope that your contractor really knows his stuff. Otherwise, you’re going to be an unfortunate victim of physics at work.
