Can you paint house siding
Vinyl siding has always been a popular choice for the exterior of all types of homes. It's got a classic look, it’s budget-friendly and people love that it's low-maintenance.
Over time, you might notice that your vinyl siding is starting to look a bit dull and chalky, or maybe you've simply grown tired of the color after a few years. The good news is, it's easy to revive and make it look new again.
All it takes is some paint!
Painting vinyl siding – pros and cons
Customers regularly ask us if painting siding is a good idea. There are a lot of horror stories out there about painters not properly sealing and prepping the siding for paint, leading to maintenance or blistering.
Several factors go into a quality paint job on vinyl siding, ensuring the surface is free of peeling, damage, and moisture before getting the job done. Using high-quality exterior paint formulated for siding applications will help protect the underlying material from sun damage over time.
Pros:
- Refreshes the appearance of the home's exterior
- Protects the underlying siding material from weathering and UV damage
- Seals small cracks or imperfections in the siding surface
- Extends the lifespan of the siding by five to ten plus years
- Increases curb appeal and home value
Cons:
- Requires re-painting every five to ten years for continued protection
- Improper painting can cause blistering, peeling or premature failure
- Requires thorough surface preparation for best paint adhesion
- Can trap moisture behind the siding if not properly sealed
- Power washing and sanding old paint is labor-intensive
What color siding should you put on my house?
Can you paint the vinyl siding darker?
It’s commonly believed you can’t paint siding a dark color like black, navy blue or hunter green, but that’s FALSE! There are, however, additional considerations for dark colors.
Dark colors absorb heat, so you shouldn’t do these jobs in the heat of summer as the extreme heat can lead to bubbles or wrinkling. Dark colors tend to fade faster in the sun, so more paint touch-ups may be required.
Darker colors also require priming and at least two coats for full coverage and long-term protection. Again, ensure you are using high-quality paint intended for vinyl siding.
Painting your house exterior white
Like painting your house dark, white has some additional considerations. If you’re covering up a medium or dark color, plan on two to three coats for full coverage and protection, otherwise, the previous color might be slightly visible.
Some white tones can be very high contrast in the sun and reflect the light in a way that’s hard on your (and your neighbors’) eyes.
Painting vinyl siding to look like wood
Sometimes vinyl siding is made to look like wood grain, or maybe you wanted wood siding but it was out of your budget. There are some clever ways you can make your vinyl siding look more like real wood:
- Use a different color on each coat
- Start with a light beige or tan color for the first coat, let it dry, and give it a sanding job
- On the second coat, apply a darker brown color with a rag or a sponge
This makes for a time-consuming process, but the effect is beautiful.
SHOULD YOU PAINT VINYL SIDING OR REPLACE?
The main advantage of choosing to paint your vinyl siding instead of replacing it is the cost. As you can imagine, it's typically much cheaper to opt for paint as opposed to paying for brand new siding – usually around 15-20% of the cost of full replacement (which would also require you to pay for takedown and installation!) Painting your vinyl siding will help extend its life – paint can add an extra layer of protection from the elements, especially if you know you'll need to replace it soonish, but still want to get a few more years out of it. If your siding remains in pretty good shape, it's also a less wasteful option. If it has lots of life left in it, why throw it away?
Of course, there are some situations where replacing might be a better option. If your siding is badly damaged, or warped or you require new insulation, you might be better off starting fresh.
How often do you paint house exteriors?
A lot of factors go into how often you need to paint your home, like color, direct sunlight and the overall condition of the home. But here are some general guidelines for how long painted vinyl siding lasts.
- Repaint your vinyl siding every five to ten years depending on the climate and condition of your siding. Some of the signs it's time to repaint include fading, peeling and cracking.
- Priming and properly prepping areas and adding a topcoat can extend the longevity of your paint job.
- Power washing your siding once a year can help delay repainting.
- Small touch-ups to areas that fade like above windows and doors also help extend the life of your siding.
HOW TO PAINT VINYL SIDING
You’ve decided you want to finally paint your vinyl siding, but it’s not as simple as just covering it. There’s a lot of prep that needs to be done to avoid constant touch-ups and weather damage.
That's where professionals like WOW 1 DAY PAINTING come in. We'll make sure the siding is cleaned and prepped accordingly, and tailor our tools and approach specifically for vinyl siding to ensure the paint job goes smoothly. And we can get it done to the highest standard in one day. Here are some key tips on what professionals like us do when painting vinyl siding.
1) CHECK YOUR SIDING FOR DAMAGE
Before you get started, you'll want to assess the state of your siding and look for any obvious signs of damage. Things to look out for include cracks, holes or warping. Minor damage can often be repaired before painting, but if you're not sure, you can always get a professional to take a look at it before you decide to move forward.
2) CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINT
Until recently, options for this type of paint job were fairly limited. However, new advances in paint technology have given us a lot more variety, especially when it comes to color. Overall, you'll want to choose a water-based paint that is compatible with vinyl siding and, most importantly, choose a color that is safe. Check with the supplier on what colors they have available specifically for vinyl. Choosing the wrong paint or color can damage your siding. For example, paints such as VinylSafe® colors from Sherwin Williams or the Colors for Vinyl selections from Benjamin Moore are specially formulated and give you the option of using darker colors!
This paint is great for those who prefer elevated neutral tones. The colors of the beach are always a smart way to bring those summer vibes all year long. Of course, bringing actual sand indoors would be pretty messy, but you can get that same feeling of being at the beach by adding colors like white, ivory, pale gray, and beige. You can create a whole palette of colors for your space taken from the beach, by adding accents and accessories in shades of turquoise, ocean blue and pops of coral or peach.
3) PREP YOUR VINYL SURFACE
The key to getting a gorgeous coat of paint on your siding is to have a clean surface to start with. The goal here is to make sure you remove any mold, mildew, chalky buildup, and debris from the surface. Mix up a cleaning solution (see some suggestions in this how-to guide) and use a soft-bristled brush to apply the solution and gently scrub away, then rinse off the solution. Make sure you allow time for the siding to completely dry before you start painting.
4) START PAINTING
In many cases, you can get away without using a primer, but you may still need to start with a full coat – especially if the new color requires a primer for proper coverage. When you're ready to apply your color, you'll want to do two coats to ensure the best results. You can use a roller or sprayer, as long as you ensure even coverage on the surface. It's important to make sure you give the first coat enough time to dry before you start on the next coat. And one more tip: avoid painting in direct sun!
After the second coat is dry, you'll want to take a closer look for any spots that need touch-ups, or you might even decide that you need another full coat.
If you make sure you do all the prep work properly, painting your vinyl siding can be a great way to give your home a whole new look while saving yourself a bit of money. However, it's important to note that painting your home's exterior is definitely not a small job. If you're considering painting your vinyl siding, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING is ready to help.
We're experts at exterior painting and can get the job done faster than you can imagine. We make it easy to transform your home, handling all the prep work and giving our expert advice along the way, so you get the look you're after. Book your free, no-obligation estimate today!
House exterior color ideas
See the transformation a paint job can make to your vinyl siding with the latest paint color trends.
When selecting an exterior paint scheme for vinyl siding, consider some of these factors.
Architectural style - Traditional homes look best with one color, maybe an accent color for the door or trim. Houses with a modern look can try multiple colors, depending on the design.
Surrounding colors - You can’t force your neighbors to paint their houses too and you might not have considered the color of your shingles at the time, but these all play into the color you choose for your house. Take a look at surrounding homes, yards and other features so your new paint color doesn’t clash.
Climate - Light colors reflect heat, dark colors attract heat. Use lighter shades for warm climates to help keep the house cooler and use darker shades for cooler climates to retain the heat during cold months.
Future resale - If it’s not your “forever home” you need to consider resale. White, beiges, soft grays and blues all tend to sell for slightly more than their vivid counterparts.
Maintenance cost - Lighter colors and neutrals require less touch-ups over the years than darker colors.
Choose an exterior paint scheme that is proportionate and harmonious with your home's features and surroundings. Take your time choosing!
How much does it cost to paint my house exterior?
Depending on the size of your home, number of stories, condition of the siding, prep work needed, quality of paint and number of colors factor into the house exterior paint estimate. A quality paint job might cost a bit more upfront, but it’s certainly cheaper than having to do extra maintenance and touch-ups.
Our teams all over the United States and Canada are happy to visit your home, talk about your vision, make recommendations and give you a free quote.
Ready to paint your vinyl siding? Click here to schedule your free estimate:
