Vinyl siding provides a permanent solution to many of your home’s painting and maintenance problems. But forever is a long time, so what if you want to make a change to your home’s exterior sometime in the future? Can you paint vinyl siding?
If you’re wondering, “Is it a bad idea to paint vinyl siding?”, our guide is here to help. Painting vinyl siding depends on a few factors, and Rusco can answer any questions you may have about the process.
Find expert tips on vinyl siding maintenance and care for your home.
Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?
So, can vinyl siding be painted? In simple terms, yes it can, but it’s important to consider a few things before undertaking the process. Usually, you should only paint vinyl siding as a short-term option when you’re looking to refresh your home’s exterior.
Painting siding isn’t generally friendly for long-term projects, as – due to vinyl’s makeup, chemical differences, and age – it is often more cost-effective to simply replace the siding altogether instead of painting it.
Can you paint siding? Yes. But should you, depending on the factors listed above? Not always.
With over 87 years of experience, trust the experts at Rusco for all your siding needs.
How to Paint Vinyl Siding
If you decide to paint your vinyl siding, we can walk you through the process to ensure that you have a smooth process and your home looks great. When considering vinyl paint for siding, make sure you take the following steps:
1. Inspect Your Siding
Before you start the painting process, carefully examine your current siding for any signs of damage or wear that may need attention before painting begins. For example, if your siding is dirty, torn, cracked, or warped, it’s important to fix these issues before painting.
2. Gather Your Supplies
After you’ve inspected your siding and done any necessary repairs, you’ll need to gather the materials you need:
- Ladder
- Paint trays, rollers, and brushes
- Primer and paint
- Dropcloth
- Safety equipment, such as gloves and goggles
3. Prepare and Clean Siding
After you’ve gathered all your materials, thoroughly clean and prepare the surface of the siding. This ensures that the paint adheres well and lasts longer. Some ways to prepare your siding include:
- Use a power washer to thoroughly remove any dirt, mildew, or debris
- Scrap any old loose paint off
- Caulk or fill any cracks or holes in the siding
- Sand any patched areas for a smoother painting process
Discover more expert tips to choose siding that’s right for you.
4. Prime Your Exterior
Next, before applying any exterior paint for vinyl siding, make sure you prime the surface. This helps prepare the siding and add a good base layer so that your paint lasts longer and looks better. Acrylic primer will work best for vinyl siding.
5. Paint Vinyl Siding
It’s finally time to paint your siding! When considering the best paints for vinyl siding, make sure you invest in 100% acrylic paint. This is a lightweight paint that adheres well to the surface, letting the paint job last longer.
To ensure the best paint job, follow these painting tips:
- If you use a paint sprayer, this will help decrease any potential drippage
- Apply two thin coats to allow even coverage
- Wait for the right weather so that the paint dries evenly
- Paint safely by taking it slow to ensure your protection.
6. Maintain
After you finish the painting process, it’s important to maintain your siding so that it lasts as long as possible with a few key tips:
- Regularly clean your siding with warm water and soap – this ensures that dirt or debris doesn’t damage the siding
- Visually inspect your siding at least once a year to fix any potential issues before they arise
- Look into your warranty and either replace or paint the siding depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation
5 Considerations Before You Paint Vinyl Siding
Before painting house siding, there are a few considerations to look into. Even though you may want to jump right into your new DIY project, it’s important to thoroughly prepare for the process to mitigate any potential pitfalls or issues.
New vinyl siding from Rusco can give your home an entirely new and fresh look.
Condition and Quality of Current Siding
First, it’s important to look at the condition and quality of your current siding. If it’s damaged or old from years of wear and tear, vinyl siding paint may not attach too well, leading to more pain than the process is worth. However, if it’s relatively new siding you simply want to refresh for a few years, vinyl siding painting may be a good idea.
Warranty Concerns
Another factor to consider is the warranty on your current siding. You should be aware that altering your siding in any way – even by simply painting it – may void your warranty. While painting siding on your house may look great for aesthetic reasons, the warranty covers important maintenance and installation issues. This may be enough of a reason to not paint siding.
Longevity and Maintenance
Painted vinyl siding can also affect its longevity and the ongoing maintenance required to keep it looking its best compared to unpainted or new siding. Since painted siding may only help keep your siding looking its best for a few more years, it may be more efficient to just invest in new siding altogether.
Cost Efficiency
Additionally, it’s important to consider how much money painting vs. replacing your siding will be. While painting your siding is less money upfront, it may cost more in the long run due to damaged siding, needing new siding after a few years, and the cost of materials to do the paint job in the first place.
Climate and Weather
Lastly, before you decide to paint siding on your house, consider the climate and weather where you live. Extreme temperatures, exposure to the elements, and the amount of rainfall your area gets can all affect how long the paint on your siding will last. Additionally, the vinyl siding paint colors you choose can impact how warm – and energy-efficient – your home is.
Before You Paint: Call Rusco For A FREE Siding Inspection
If you’re considering painting your vinyl siding, call Rusco first. Schedule a FREE siding inspection and let our team ensure that your siding is in the best shape possible. Trust the experts at Rusco for your siding needs from inspections to full replacement.
Contact our team for a free quote to learn more about your home and what it needs. We’re here for any questions you may have and create the home of your dreams.