How often do you walk around your neighborhood and admire the other homes? So clean. So colorful. So appealing. You might wonder how they keep their homes looking so attractive. Plus, it seems like they have vinyl siding.
Do you wonder how they could afford such a beautiful new product? Or is it new? Maybe they painted old siding. But can vinyl siding be painted in any case? Let's find out more.
Don't make an expensive mistake when it comes to your home's protective outer layer. Read with us as we weigh the pros and cons of both replacing and painting vinyl siding.
Painting Vinyl Siding: Pros and Cons
Let's begin by saying that it's much less costly to paint old siding than replace it. While there are no standard costs for vinyl siding, a rough average is $10–40 per square foot. That could be anywhere from $15,000 to 60,000.
The Pros of Painting Vinyl Siding
The cost to paint vinyl siding could be a fraction of the range stated above, and homeowners know that doing so could save money when they most need it. And it definitely takes less time than siding installation (which could take days or even weeks).
While painting your vinyl siding can increase your home's value, it does not add as much to that value as replacement siding would. Even so, the fresh new color will please many buyers.
The Cons of Painting Vinyl Siding
Some older vinyl siding might also need repairs. If they are minor, it should be OK. But consult with a contractor to be sure. If they're more extensive, opt for the replacement. It will pay off in the long run.
Also, you should know that the paints used on vinyl siding can emit some moderately toxic fumes. So be sure to have the proper ventilation PPE on hand.
The Pros and Cons of Replacing Vinyl Siding
Probably the most significant benefit to replacing your vinyl siding is getting rid of a product that has outlived its useful life and no longer protects your home.
So before putting time and money into painting, inspect your siding carefully for one of the following signs of damage:
- Cracks, gaps, and gouges
- Rotting wood
- Bulging or warping
- Increasingly higher utility bills
- Moisture and mold
Abnormally high maintenance is also a sign your siding needs replacement. Maintenance is time-consuming, and the costs will eat up your budget.
Consider how much this maintenance level would cost, compared with buying a newer and better product and "starting the clock" anew.
The Pros of Replacing Vinyl Siding
Most of today's vinyl siding options are eye-pleasing, affordable, and durable. This means if you were to sell your home, you likely would get a better resale price from homebuyers who recognize what an excellent value it is.
The Cons of Replacing Vinyl Siding
Still, there are a few reasons not to replace vinyl siding if you can avoid it. One, of course, is that painting would save you a lot of money in the short term. If what you have is in good condition, why not wait a few years before an all-out replacement?
How to Paint Vinyl Siding
If you're undertaking a DIY vinyl siding painting project, start by purchasing the necessary supplies. These include the usual exterior paintbrushes and rollers. But be careful not to buy the cheapest paint or the first one you see.
Buy the Right Paint for Vinyl Siding
Many paint types look identical but have very different ingredients. If you want a long-lasting paint job and one that looks great, the paint must:
- Contain acrylic and urethane resins to accommodate vinyl's inherent expansion and contraction. These paints adhere to the outer coating.
- Be the same shade as or lighter than your current siding. The darker the color, the more heat it retains, thereby causing the siding to warp in a short time.
In other words, painting vinyl siding requires latex urethane paint developed for exterior use. Different paint companies make paint bases developed explicitly for projects like this.
Why You Should Hire a Pro to Paint Your Vinyl Siding
If your vinyl siding is starting to wear out, painting it can be touch and go. If it already has cracks and holes, the best person to handle the needed repair work is an experienced siding professional.
Besides knowing how to do the repair, these experts are most likely to know where to locate any available replacement pieces. If they can't find those pieces, they would be the best judges of suitable substitutions.
Moreover, amateur mistakes made when painting siding is likely to void any existing warranties. And that could add significantly to the overall project cost.
And besides all that, think how much easier and less stressful it would be to hire someone you can count on to accept a challenging project like painting siding—and doing it the right way.
The Long and Short of Vinyl Siding
Knowing how to paint vinyl siding the right way is a talent that comes with experience. So to answer the question, can you paint vinyl siding? The answer is "yes and no."
A more appropriate question would be should you paint vinyl siding? As we've explained here, painting vinyl siding has its pros and cons—as does replacing vinyl siding. When all is said and done, it depends on a variety of circumstances.
Speaking for the pros, though, we have to say that at GVD Renovations, we do an excellent job at installing vinyl siding and take pride in our work. As for painting vinyl siding, we'll leave that to those who do that best.
Reach out today if you need an estimate from us to replace your vinyl siding.
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