What Is Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is made of PVC resin. The material has a natural wood appearance, while the top layer is durable and weather-resistant.
Vinyl siding is vulnerable to thermal expansion and can peel and crack. Before you begin, you have two choices: install new siding or paint over your existing siding.
Siding will fade at some point, but not much. If you are not satisfied with the color of your siding, or it has lost its vibrancy and is damaged, then a new paint job would be the best option.
All Righti Shouldnt Paint My Vinyl Siding What Now
You want to give your homes exterior an update. But committing to a full siding replacement? Maybe that was a little more than you were expecting when you started asking Google about painting your house.
Ill be honest: making a major change to your homes exterior isnt a DIY project for the faint of heart. But with a professional? It can be easier- and less expensive- than you think.
If your siding is damaged replacing it now will prevent major repairs to your homes structure and interior. You wont just be getting the curb appeal, youll be protecting the value of your biggest asset.
What about if your homes exterior just doesnt match your personality? What if you want a refresh for more for aesthetics? Theres nothing wrong with that! But consulting with a pro can get you better results for your money than a DIY paint job.
When you work with someone like my husband Vern and his team, they go beyond pick a siding and be done. Because he specializes in full exterior work- we can open up options for your home beyond a change in siding color.
More Than Siding Contractors: What Martin Can Do For Your Home.
Maybe you want to DIY because you dont think anyone could care about your home as much as you do. If so- you should call my husband Vern.
At Martin, were more than roofing and siding contractors. We bring your dream home to life by offering you so much more than a get it in and get out type of company.
Until next time,
Jenny Martin
Painting Vinyl Siding Pros And Cons
Vinyl siding is used so often on houses, it can account for about 40% 70% of the market on average, depending on the area. But if you are wondering what vinyl siding is exactly along with its pros and cons, weve got you covered! Vinyl is a synthetic plastic polymer that was created over a century ago. Today, it is one of the most used materials in the world because of its sturdiness and flame-resistant qualities.
Vinyl, also known as PVC, is commonly used to create pipes or flooring. When used as siding, it is a low-maintenance option that adds great value to the home.
Vinyl siding can take 30 years for the natural colour to fade. But if there are many damaged areas and panels, a homeowner might begin looking at their options long before that. If the condition of the panels is decent, you may be wondering Can you paint vinyl siding? Choosing to paint is a much more affordable route to take, as a replacement can cost well over $5000 for the average-sized house. Yet the average cost to paint is more like $600-$3600. Vinyl siding tends to hold acrylic paint well, often providing the best adhesion. From there, repainting may not be necessary for a decade.
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Aluminum Siding Painting Preparation
The first stage is preparation. Here are several tools and equipment that you will require.
- 100% acrylic paint
- Power Washer
- Garden Hose
Preparing aluminum siding for painting involves cleaning the surface. You need to remove the dirt and chalk that has accumulated over time. Here, a power washer will do the trick.
Consider applying primer first if you fail to get most of the chalk out after two washings. The primer should be 100-percent acrylic.
You can hire professional cleaners to handle the task on your behalf if you do not know how to clean aluminum siding for painting.
Can You Paint Vinyl Siding Here’s What To Consider First
Before you decide to paint vinyl siding, there are few must-knows. Here’s a breakdown, with tips from the experts.
Can you paint vinyl siding? If your home has vinyl siding that’s looking worse for the wear, or you no longer like the color of your vinyl siding, you may be wondering if it’s possible to simply paint over it. After all, paint is a common solution for sprucing up a house with wood or board siding.
The good news? You can paint vinyl siding, at least in most cases. There are, however, some times when it’s better to skip over the paint ideas and install new siding instead. And, you’ll need to follow a strict set of instructions in order to get curb appeal-worthy results and preserve the integrity of your vinyl siding.
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Remove All Mildew And Dirt:
Before you apply paint on your vinyl siding you need to remove all mildew and dirt from the surface. Vinyl siding tends to form a powdery film on its surface and you should clean the same before painting. Apart from that, it is also very common to find mildew on the surface of vinyl siding and the same needs to be cleaned as well. The best way to remove mildew and dirt is to use a garden sprayer. You should avoid power washing as the intense pressure from the power washer can force water behind the siding.
Benefits Of Painting Vinyl Siding
Its not realistic to expect siding to keep its original fresh-looking luster forever. Eventually, it will start to show signs of wear after several years of sun and rain exposure, not to mention the grime build-up.
If you weigh the pros and cons of painting vinyl siding, it proves to be a great and cost-effective way to spruce up your home without having to break the bank to do it. Here are some of the top benefits.
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Can You Paint Aluminum Siding
Aluminum can fade, scratch, dent, or rust. It is also more susceptible to chalking than vinyl. These issues negatively impact your homes overall curb appeal. But is painting a cost-effective solution?
If the damage is not extensive, a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into the aging aluminum siding. However, there are some problems that paint cant cure. Big dents, many perforations, and excessive rusting are some examples.
Paint Might Not Even Work On Your Siding
Your efforts to refurbish your existing siding over replacing it could be thwarted before you even get started. Theres a possibility your siding cant even take a fresh coat of paint to give it a new look. Deciding to repaint may be all for naught, leaving replacing your siding as your only viable option.
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Should Your Vinyl Siding Be Painted Or Replaced
When renovating your property for increased curb appeal, it is hard to resist a seemingly easy DIY project.However, not all DIY projects are as easy as they seem, and in the case of vinyl siding it may be worth considering the benefits of a full replacement.From customization and curb appeal to energy-efficiency and increased property value, our team at T. Simpson Roofing Ltd. will always have your best interest in mind.If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of a vinyl siding replacement, or call 1-800-925-3044 for more information.
Understand That Painting Will Not Fix Damages
While a good paint job may hide minor scratches and blemishes on your vinyl siding, large holes and cracks will not be possible to hide.
In such a case, a siding replacement project would be a more practical option, because even if you decide to paint the old siding, you will still need to repair the damages first, and that can actually take more time than putting up new siding.
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Cost Of Tools And Effort Required
This type of painting project requires a lot of prep work. Damaged panels need to be fixed the vinyl surface needs to be washed to remove dirt and grime you have to buy the right kind of paintbrushes, rollers, and other painting equipment you need to apply primer before putting at least two coats of paint its a lot.
So, if you want to get the best results, you need to put in the time, effort and invest in high-quality paint, tools, other siding materials.
Tools Needed To Paint Vinyl Siding
A typical vinyl siding painting task will require the following supplies:
- Vinyl paint: Choose a paint containing acrylic and urethane resins such paints adhere better to services.
- Garden hose: A garden hose will be perfect for washing dirt down the vinyl. For best results, attach a spray nozzle.
- Soft brush/rag/sponge: Use any of these to scrub the siding. Dont use anything rough or you will scratch the vinyl.
- A gallon of water: Use clean, cold water.
- Soap: This can be any mild laundry soap or dishwashing liquid. Avoid using harsh cleaners, as these can damage the vinyl.
- Painters tape/masking paper/plastic sheeting: Use any of these to cover areas you dont want to paint.
- Primer: A primer will help cover the areas you repaired and any other blemishes on the siding.
- Paintbrush/paint sprayer: While a paintbrush will get the job done just fine, if you are painting an entire wall of siding, it would be best to use a sprayer, as its much faster. Plus some brushes may leave unsightly streaks on the panels.
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Can Paint Cause Vinyl Siding To Buckle
Vinyl siding warping, or buckling, is not very pleasant to look at. Vinyl siding expands with heat absorption. When vinyl is not cut correctly or nailed correctly, it buckles or warps. There is no way to fix the buckling unless you entirely replace that specific siding piece.
However, in doing so, the new paint job that you just did on your house now looks incomplete. You also need to remember to select an exterior paint suitable for vinyl siding. The paint will need to move with the vinyl, or itll chip or flake off.
If you paint your vinyl siding a darker color than the manufacturers original coat, then it can lead to vinyl siding warping.
That is because darker colors absorb the sun much more than a light color, so the planks reach a much higher temperature than it was designed to hold. In return, the current siding starts buckling.
Here are some other ways you can spot the buckling:
- The siding is melting.
- Warping
- Vertical lines where the seams meet.
So, what is an excellent way to fix this issue, you might ask?
If you have untreated problems, mold, insects, and structural problems can quickly occur.
However, you want to do everything in your power to prevent this from happening so you can continue living in a safe environment.
Make sure to paint the siding with a light shade of color that is not darker than the manufacturers coating.
Doing so ensures that the siding will not contract out of the manufactured shape, making vinyl siding a much better experience.
How Long Will Painted Vinyl Siding Last
If you do it right, you can expect painted vinyl siding to last 10 or more years, says Sharp.
‘With the proper research, vinyl safe paint and colors selected, preparing the vinyl surface and application with professional equipment you can get you a new color on your siding that will last for many years,’ he says. ‘Normal fading should be expected from any exterior painted surface exposed to exterior weathering elements.’
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What Have We Learned
Repainting vinyl siding is a good idea if the existing siding is in fair to good condition. A successful paint job requires careful and thorough cleaning, repairing any cracks, and using the correct products for the job. Done correctly, a paint refresh can last for years, extend the sidings life, and postpone immediate replacement.
On the other hand, siding with extensive damage might not be worth the time spent repairing it. Too many things can go wrong with the painting process and produce unsatisfactory results. Plus, you can void the manufacturers warranty by doing it yourself, leaving replacement as the best or only workable option.
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparents former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
What About Color Choices
If youve heard debates about painting vinyl siding, youve also likely heard the arguments about which colors work best. Until recently, the standard on painting was sticking to the same shade when covering the previous color. You could also get away with using lighter shade, however.
What a disappointment it must be, for the homeowner who wanted to update their white siding by making the bold statement of farmhouse red!
Its all about thermal expansion, as well as the way vinyl behaves when it gets hot. When exposed to high temperatures, vinyl expands and contracts. Vinyl siding, over time, can develop peeling and cracking due to thermal expansion.
If you apply a dark color over a lighter-colored siding and it cracks, you end up with an unsightly mess. Imagine the example of farmhouse red, with old white paint peeking out from beneath the cracks.
If your heart is set on something other than a neutral white or beige, we have some good news! You can find premium paint that not only comes in a selection of darker colors, but also comes with an excellent performance rating.
You might not find that ideal farmhouse red, but youll still find a wide array of blues, greens, greys, and browns.
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Create The Cleaning Solution
In your container, which may be your power washer or pump-up garden sprayer, pour in one gallon of water. It is important to put the water in first, because if you add the detergent first, it will foam and expand when you add the water.
Next, pour a quart of laundry bleach into the water, then add two-thirds cup of Comet, Ajax, Bar Keepers Friend, or some other powdered cleaner.
Finally, add one-third cup of laundry detergent. This can be either granular or liquid. Once you have all of the ingredients in the container, mix them well.
If you use a power washer, be careful with the pressure settings so that you dont damage the siding or peel off paint that is well-attached with the power of the stream. If the siding had been previously painted, you can power wash any peeling paint from the surface.
The best way to clean siding for painting is to use a garden sprayer. Aim the nozzle down, because you dont want to force water up under the edges of the siding.
Once you have covered the siding with the solution, let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then scrub it with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse the siding well, and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Can All Types Of Siding Be Painted
The answer to this is yes. All types of siding can be painted, and you shouldnt really struggle with any of them, as the process is fairly simple and easy for all.
However, it is best to use the right type of paint, sometimes even using a specifically formulated type of paint for a specific type of siding.
So, for example, if you are planning on painting vinyl siding, it is highly recommended that you use paint that has been designed for vinyl siding, as it will be formulated to better adhere to the plastic surface, and it will also come in a range of colors that is safe for the vinyl itself.
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Specifics For Painting Vinyl Siding
When it comes to the process, answering the question Can you paint vinyl siding? does not require any departure from a normal approach. Clean, prime , cut in with a brush , use a roller on everything else and apply two coats.
Siding that has worn to the point of losing its original color or that exhibits pitting or porous sections will need a coat of primer. Just as with the topcoat, choose a primer formulated for use on exterior vinyl.
You can choose to apply the topcoat with a sprayer, but since it requires backbrushing for the best bond with the vinyl , it really does not save you any time or effort.
Some other limitations do exist, however, but observing a few simple guidelines make painting over vinyl a much more cost-effective renewal solution than removing your siding and reinstalling it on your house.
Make Sure The Siding Is In Good Shape Before Considering Painting
Before you decide to spend the money on many gallons of paint, have a professional siding contractor come out and do an inspection. While todays materials wont buckle under intense summer heat like the materials of yesterday, there is still a chance that high winds, rain and debris have compromised the integrity of the material, which means it needs to be repaired or replaced.
If youve accidentally bumped your home too many times with your mower or snow blower, you can begin to form cracks that let moisture in. While vinyl siding is known as a tough material, its not impervious, so take extra precautions to ensure the quality is still there.
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