When heat flows directly through the vinyl siding of your home, thermal bridging appears. It looks like an imprint that gets bolder over time. This is most commonly where the wood studs and/or metal framing is located underneath the siding. This phenomenon occurs because the heat in your house does not pass directly through the siding in areas where insulation is present. The contrast, as it appears in the picture above illustrates where heat escapes and where it does not.

Lack of Efficiency

Thermal Bridging can also signify a lack of efficiency due to heat loss or gain, depending on the season. This can of course lead to significantly higher heating and cooling costs. In addition, excess moisture due to inefficiency can cause other issues.

Can It Be Washed Off?

Unfortunately, it cannot be washed off. We point this out to bring awareness to what causes visible inconsistencies in your siding and not to be surprised if it appears after a house wash. We do all we can to minimize the affects of thermal bridging, but at the end of the day, if your siding is dirty, there is no benefit to you.

What Can Be Done to Prevent?

Vinyl siding itself has low thermal conductivity, which makes it a good insulator. However, the presence of metal components, such as fasteners, trim pieces, or structural supports, can compromise its thermal performance.

Proper installation techniques can help minimize thermal bridging in vinyl siding exteriors. Using insulated vinyl siding, adding a layer of continuous insulation beneath the siding, and sealing around penetrations can reduce heat transfer in or out of your home.                     

Insulated vinyl siding features a layer of foam insulation attached to the back of each panel, which helps reduce thermal bridging and improves the overall energy efficiency of the siding system.

Various strategies can be employed to mitigate thermal bridging in vinyl siding installations, such as using thermal breaks, minimizing the number of penetrations, and using non-metallic fasteners where possible. Working with a professional siding contractor to address these concerns ahead of time can greatly reduce this from happening in the future.

If you are in the Columbus, Ohio area and would like your vinyl siding washed, please feel free to Contact Us for a free quote today.