Why You Don’t Need to Paint Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is still pretty popular on homes both old and new, thanks to its cost effectiveness, low maintenance, and durability.

If you want to change the color of your vinyl siding, it can be very tempting to update it by slapping on a new coat of paint, but you might want to hold up on running to the paint store. Here are a few reasons why you don’t need to paint vinyl siding.

It Voids Your Warranty

In most cases, the warranty you got from the manufacturer will state that if you’ve altered the product in any way, including painting, the warranty is now void.

Before going ahead with this project, you’d need to read the fine print of your warranty and determine whether it’s worth potentially not being able to use your warranty for maintenance, repair, or replacement if something happened to the siding.

You Can Only Paint During Certain Times of Year

If it happens to be the wrong time of year when you get the urge to paint your vinyl siding, you’re out of luck. Seasons of storm, heat and snow will damage a fresh coat of paint or cause it to bubble, crack or peel.

Most painters will tell you that the ideal time to paint siding is in the early fall or mid spring, when temperatures are fairly mild and there’s less risk of an adverse weather event destroying all your fine work.

You Can Only Use Certain Colors

A few years ago, you wouldn’t have been able to paint vinyl siding at all. However, there have been so many improvements in the processes used to create paints, that there are several different ones on the market that are capable of absorbing into and sticking to vinyl siding.

There is a caveat – you may not be able to choose the color you want. Any darker colors can increase the heat absorption of the siding, causing it to warp and bubble in the summer.

Experts agree that if you’re going to paint vinyl siding, you need to choose a color a shade lighter than the existing siding.

It Won’t Last as Long as New Siding

While a new coat of paint will last you a few years, assuming it’s done properly to avoid warping and peeling, new siding should last at least 25 years if maintained.

Although it’s a lot more expensive to buy new siding than to buy paint, you should consider the costs over the long run of painting every few years, against an initial investment into new siding.

New siding is also the best option if you have any siding panels that are damaged and need replacing, since the manufacturer won’t be able to perfectly match painted-over siding.

New Siding Lets You Add Upgrades

If you choose to go the replacement route, this is an ideal opportunity to do a few other updates to really make your house stand out in a good way. You can choose a whole new shiny color, add fancy details like scallops and even add underlayment for an extra layer of energy-saving insulation.

Updated, modern vinyl siding can really increase the value and curb appeal of your home, and the margin of error is much smaller compared to a detail-heavy job like repainting.

The Results Aren’t Always Predictable

When repainting vinyl siding, it’s a little tough to predict how it’s actually going to end up looking. You want your home to look professional and attractive, not so much like a guy with a bucket has been out brushing on some paint.

If all of the conditions are not just right – from the weather to how good of a job you did cleaning the surface to what type and color of paint you chose – you could end up having your time wasted by bubbling, peeling, cracking, or warping vinyl siding that isn’t at all what you had envisioned in your mind.

Replacing your vinyl siding with a modern upgrade gets you a predictable and attractive result every time.

It Probably Just Needs a Good Cleaning

If you’re thinking about repainting your vinyl siding because it looks dingy, old or moldy, there is a very good chance that what it needs is a good, thorough cleaning – not a new coat of color on top.

Many homeowners have been surprised, when prepping the surface for painting, that the tough cleaning brought back a new life to the vinyl – and they didn’t end up wanting to paint over it after all.

You need to clean the siding before painting anyway to avoid peeling and flaking, so give it a try and see what’s underneath before making this decision.

How to Clean Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding may be low maintenance, but it still needs to be cleaned once in a while. You can spend just one day cleaning vinyl siding with a pressure washer, and evaluate the condition then.

First, walk around and visually inspect the siding for any cracks or loose pieces. If you’re using any detergents, bleach, or anti-mildew solutions, cover any plants around the foundation.

You want to avoid spraying directly up the siding, as water can get into the spaces where the strips overlaps. Cover the area with soap, and spray it clean – preferably from atop a sturdy ladder.

How to Clean Vinyl Siding Without a Pressure Washer

If you don’t have access to a pressure washer, you can still clean your vinyl siding – you just need to use a little more elbow grease. Skip the hose and go for a bucket and a medium-bristled brush instead.

You can mix your own solution in the bucket – some use a gallon of water with 1/3 cup laundry detergent and a quart of bleach, or just baking soda and water.

Cover your plants before beginning, and scrub your detergent or baking soda onto the siding firmly, cleaning away all the grime and residue. Then, rinse with fresh water and dry with a towel if necessary.

Vinyl Siding Never Fades

One of the biggest benefits of getting vinyl siding is that the color doesn’t fade. This is because the colors are baked into the panel when the siding is manufactured.

In other words, the colors will hold up under any circumstances. If you don’t want to, you’ll never need to paint or stain it. Your vinyl siding will look as good decades later as it did on installation day.

If You Still Decide to Paint Your Vinyl Siding

Painting over siding is still a personal choice, which could be right for some homeowners depending on the circumstances. If after going over the pros and cons you determine that painting your vinyl siding is the right choice for you, you can maximize your success by following all the tips in this article.

Select a paint that is intended for vinyl siding, in a light color, clean and dry the siding meticulously, and begin your project in mild weather. By taking your time and starting with a perfectly clean surface, you can end up with a paint job that will look nice and not compromise the integrity of your siding.

There are many reasons that replacing vinyl siding may be a better use of time and money than repainting, but ultimately it’s up to you. Don’t forget to give your vinyl siding a complete and thorough cleaning before making your decision – you just might find that you have beautiful, shiny, new-looking siding underneath the dust.

Do you need replacement vinyl siding for your home? Well you’ve come to the right place. Get a free quote from Feldco for beautiful vinyl siding that’s installed by factory trained and certified industry professionals. Over 400,000 homeowners would agree that Feldco is the best in the Midwest.