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Can you paint vinyl siding? This is a common question for homeowners looking to update their homes, whether you’re tired of your siding’s current color or it’s just starting to look a little faded. While painted vinyl siding is known for being relatively low-maintenance, it can dull and lose its vibrancy over time.
So, can you paint vinyl siding and give your home a whole new look? You’ll learn all about painting vinyl siding and decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Although you CAN technically paint vinyl siding, it’s not always the best solution. It can be a great way to give your home a quick and relatively affordable facelift, but there are some important things to consider before you get started as it can potentially void your siding warranty and may not be as durable as new siding in the long run.
The siding is the first thing people see. It’s one of the largest parts of your home. Updating it is a simple way to instantly improve your curb appeal. Here are some scenarios where painting your vinyl siding could be a good decision:
Just like any major home renovation project, preparation is key. There are pros and cons to any big decision, and choosing whether to paint vinyl siding is no exception. Before you break out the paint brushes and rollers, consider the factors below. This is because choosing to paint can sometimes create more trouble down the road.
Painting your vinyl siding might void the warranty, meaning that the manufacturer won’t be responsible for repairing or replacing the siding if problems arise. Many siding manufacturers offer warranties, some up to 50 years. Before you start a paint project, reach out to the siding manufacturer to check if painting will affect the warranty. This is important, because if your freshly painted siding suddenly needs repairs and your warranty is void, the expenses will come out of your pocket.
Even if your warranty has expired, is painting really the most cost-effective option in the long run? While painting may seem like a quick fix, factor in how often you will have to repaint to keep your home looking great. This is because painted homes often need repainting every five years. Depending on weather, your local climate, and the integrity of the initial paint job, you may find yourself repainting even more often than that. Will that be less expensive than simply installing new siding in the first place? You may discover it’s more cost-efficient in the long run to simply invest in new siding right away rather than spend money on painting several times.
What kind of shape is your existing vinyl siding in? Vinyl siding provides your home’s first layer of protection from weather, pests, and water infiltration. But as siding ages it becomes more prone to damage. These issues could be hidden under layers of old paint if you aren’t paying close attention. While painting existing siding might be okay for the short term, it will only mask any underlying issues with the integrity of your siding, whereas new siding comes with the added benefit of allowing any repairs or necessary siding replacements to happen prior to installation.
Choosing to paint limits your color choices. For example, if you have light beige, grey, or white vinyl you are better off sticking to a similar color. Most importantly, choosing a darker color could void the manufacturer’s warranty. If you decide to paint the exterior of your house a deeper color, be sure to consider the effects dark paint can have on the lifespan of vinyl siding.
Darker colors tend to absorb and trap heat, causing vinyl siding to potentially warp over time. Plus, if you choose to paint the siding yourself, a poorly executed paint job is harder to fix if you choose a darker paint color. Although new paint formulas contain acrylic and urethane resins designed for painting vinyl siding, there’s no denying that choosing the same or a lighter paint color has the most benefit in the long run.
So, can you paint vinyl siding if you decide painting is the best option? Of course you can. As with any painting project, preparing the surface is the most important step to ensure the paint properly adheres and has a uniform look when it’s finished. If the siding is in bad shape, replacing it altogether will be a better long-term choice, while paint is ideal for cosmetic improvements such as updating a faded or changing a lighter color. Let’s walk through the steps for prepping and painting your siding to ensure you’re set up for success.
Gathering everything you’ll need before you start makes the project go faster. Most of these tools and materials you will already have around the house. But remember to budget accordingly if you are renting power washers or other necessary items.
| Tools | Materials |
|---|---|
| Ladder | Latex urethane exterior paint for vinyl |
| Garden hose with a spray nozzle | Primer |
| Pressure washer | Painter’s tape |
| Bucket | Household cleaner |
| Drop cloths | Laundry detergent (powdered) |
| Soft-bristled brush for washing or a large cleaning cloth | Laundry bleach |
| Paint roller or paint sprayer (for large areas, a paint sprayer like those sold by Conde Nast Store offers the best, most even coverage.) | A latex-based paint additive, such as Floetrol to extend drying time on a windy day. |
| Paint tray | Ladder stabilizer, or standoff tool if working with second story siding |
Now it’s finally time to start making progress. With tools and materials gathered and plans in place, follow these steps to ensure a successful vinyl siding paint project.
Your local hardware or home improvement stores have a lot of choices, which can get overwhelming, so ask a professional in the paint department to give you recommendations specific to your needs. The main things to remember when choosing the paint for your vinyl siding project are to avoid using dark paint colors and ensure you’re using the correct paint designed for exteriors.
Once the surface has been prepared, the damaged parts of the siding have been repaired or replaced, and your drop cloths and protective painter’s tape is in place, you are finally ready to begin painting.
Before you begin the painting phase, you can estimate your total paint needed: a general guideline is that one gallon of paint covers about 300-400 square feet of surface. Here is the process professional painters would use, keeping in mind that using the correct tools, techniques, and quality products will increase the durability of your results.
If you’re wondering if you can you paint vinyl siding and be finished for the next 20 years, sadly that’s not how painted siding works. The good news is, vinyl siding lasts 30-40 years before needing a siding replacement. But you’ll have to repaint periodically to maintain its fresh new look. Repaint as needed depending on local climate conditions and any unexpected storm damage.
On average, most homeowners repaint every 10 years. Keep the surface looking its best between repainting jobs by thoroughly pressure washing at least twice each year, with the goal of removing accumulated debris, mildew, and cobwebs after winter or storm season.
So, can you paint vinyl siding? Yes. And with regular care, cleaning, and periodic repainting, your updated siding will add curb appeal to your house for years to come.
Although it can be done, it’s not always the best option. First, make sure your current warranty is expired, or that you are aware of what repercussions, if any, choosing to paint has on your warranty, before proceeding. It can sometimes be cheaper to install new siding than repeatedly repaint.
Using a specially formulated exterior latex urethane paint is vital. If you go into the paint department of your local hardware or home improvement store you’ll notice an entire curated section of vinyl-safe exterior paint color palettes by major paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Behr. Remember, although paint technology has improved, you’ll get the best results, both from a warranty and lifespan standpoint, by sticking to the same color or going lighter, while a darker shade may create unwanted long-term problems.
The great thing about this exterior building material is its expected lifespan of more than 20 years. According to home improvement sources, vinyl siding can last 60 years or even longer if properly maintained. As long as your paint jobs are executed properly and any damaged sections of the siding are promptly repaired, repainting as needed won’t affect the integrity and overall lifespan of the siding.
Paint peeling on your freshly painted vinyl is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. While peeling can sometimes happen even with professionally executed paint jobs, due to weather damage or underlying problems with the siding’s quality, this common concern is greatly minimized by preparing the surface thoroughly and by making sure you’re using the right type of paint. Remember that exterior latex urethane paint containing acrylic and urethane resins is specifically formulated for vinyl siding.
Can you paint vinyl siding? Yes. You’ve learned about important aspects to think about such as how color choices could void the manufacturer’s warranty and how proper maintenance, including periodically repainting, is vital to ensuring the paint job lasts. So before starting a project think carefully about the pros and cons to be certain that painting your vinyl siding is truly the most practical choice.
Still have questions, or Need your vinyl siding repaired? Reach out to the pros at Campo Roof for a FREE quote.
Looking to start a home exterior project? Let us know and start the conversation
