Why is my new vinyl siding wavy?

Published On: September 1, 20230 Comments on Why is my new vinyl siding wavy?Categories: Home improvementTags: Last Updated: January 24, 20244.1 min read

Whereas it is every homeowner’s dream to see their house in good shape, things don’t always go according to one’s expectations. Sometimes, issues can arise shortly after building a new house. For instance, you might notice the new vinyl siding wavy. Consequently, the siding seems to have a size inappropriate for your house’s needs. It will also appear uneven, and that’s a look that doesn’t sit well with you, your loved ones, neighbors, or even potential home buyers.

wavy siding on the house

Here’s a discussion on why your vinyl is siding wavy. Check it out!

Quality issues

If you choose poor-quality vinyl siding, there are high chances of facing this problem. It may even arise before you install it. After all, such sidings are relatively thin, thus compromising their durability. Once installed, the vinyl siding is exposed to harsh elements, thus worsening the situation.

Improper Installation

Unless you choose experts such as HomeBuddy to install your vinyl siding, it will get wavy shortly after installation. You need someone who understands the design and nature of vinyl sidings. Otherwise, the installer will make common mistakes known for causing such issues. An excellent example is nailing it down too tightly. It compromises its expanding and contracting nature, which is inevitable since temperatures change.

Besides nailing the siding too tightly, how you place the nails also matters. It may be evident to many people that one should nail the vinyl siding at the top with long oval-shaped openings. What’s a mystery to many is the need to ensure the nails aren’t near the ends but at the center of these oval slots. Again, failure to do that denies the vinyl siding room for movement, thus making the panels buckle and warp.

On the other hand, how one aligns the panels during installation could also be an issue. For instance, placing the panels near the house corners is a bad idea. The same applies to placing these panels near the windows’ trims. After all, it means the vinyl siding has no room for its typical movement. If the siding is only warping around such areas, there is a high chance the placement is the problem. That’s why seeking professional assistance when installing the vinyl siding is advisable. The alternatives are relatively cheap, but the price you pay later is often too high to risk. However, if you insist on making it a DIY project, adhere to these installation guidelines.

Colored Vinyl Siding

If you settle for a dark color when choosing your vinyl siding, you increase the chances of this feature warping. After all, these colors attract too much heat, and the extra heat will make the siding wavy. Painting your vinyl siding with a dark color could be the onset of this annoying change.

wavy siding

Change in temperature

Temperatures are bound to change within a day or from one season to another. The temperatures are high at one point but may become low after a while. This change affects the vinyl siding as it expands when it is cold and expands once it gets warm. Sometimes, the extreme changes make the sidings start warping as time passes.

Closeness to Heat Sources

Besides temperature changes, other heat sources can damage your vinyl siding. An excellent example is sunlight, whether it is reflecting from your window or another building nearby. The extra head the sunlight adds to the siding makes it warp over time. Since it is hard to restructure a building to solve this issue, introducing a screen to such a window is effective. Alternatively, plant a tree that shields the vinyl siding from the sunlight, and it better grow fast before it is too late and the damage has already occurred. Besides sunlight, homeowners often underestimate the damage that grills near a vinyl siding can cause. Besides making the vinyl siding wave, the heat is often hot enough to melt it. So, ensure that there is a safe distance between the two.

Changing the foundation

Whereas it isn’t always the case, your home’s foundation can change and make the vinyl siding warp. Despite being natural, the impact of your home settling and shifting at one point is indisputable. As the structure changes, the siding can be a victim of this occurrence.

Conclusion

Various reasons are possible culprits for your new vinyl siding becoming wavy. Fortunately, most of these causes are avoidable as they narrow down to the choices you make along the way. From choosing high-quality vinyl siding to installing it correctly, you can do much to avoid this issue. So, there isn’t much to discourage you from purchasing such a siding. Remember that you can’t control the change of your home foundation, though. Therefore, all you can do is be keen to avoid missing once it happens.

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