Can Vinyl Siding Be Painted? (Pros & Cons of Painting vs. Replacing the Siding)
— by William Johnson Expert in Siding Installation
William Johnson
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Siding Expert over 9 years in Business
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There aren’t many things that can change the look of your house like painting the siding a different color. So is it better to paint over your siding or replace it? Both have advantages. There are additional justifications for not replacing your siding as well as reasons not to paint it.
For homeowners who want to make the best decisions for their houses and their finances, the painting vs. replacing debate may be rather stressful. Luckily, we are available to assist you in selecting the best course of action for your particular circumstance. We list the main justifications for painting siding as opposed to replacing it below. Additionally, you’ll see arguments against painting your siding and why replacing it makes the most sense.
We work hard to maintain our property’s aesthetic appeal because we are proud owners. Unfortunately, years of exposure to the weather will cause our vinyl siding to fade. We now have a decision to make: should we paint the siding or replace it?
We will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of painting versus replacing the siding throughout this post. We will discuss how to paint siding properly as well as the things that should make you replace your siding instead of just painting it.
Painting old vinyl siding vs. siding replacement
If you still have questions, talk to a siding contractor and get an inspection. That will help you make a fact-based decision about the steps you need to consider next.
Factors to consider before making a decision on painting or replacing vinyl siding
Although painting your current siding can be a less expensive option, you may have your eye on a new vinyl siding product.
Consider the following:
The siding’s age It may appear newer with a fresh coat of paint, but you should really be concerned about whether the siding is safeguarding your house. If your siding is twenty years old, think about replacing it rather than painting it, as that will probably happen within the next five years or so. An expert siding contractor can assess the age and quality of your siding and suggest the best course of action.
Cost of painting vs. replacing Sometimes painting makes more sense. For instance, painting might seem more appealing if your siding is in good condition and you have a specific color in mind that siding manufacturers don’t offer because you’ll get the color you want and you’ll save money. For instance, the average cost to paint a 1,500 square foot home is approximately $3,700, but the typical cost to install new vinyl siding is approximately $5,500.
Condition. It’s time for a replacement if there are cracks, holes, or moisture seepage. Painting siding with holes, dents, or rotten areas is not recommended because it is wasteful to invest money on failing materials.
Aesthetic appearance. Your siding will have a brand-new appearance if you choose to paint over it, which will appeal to people around you as well as to you. The same is true of new siding: it has an attractive aspect that will envy others.
Preserve or increase home value Your home’s worth may rise by two to five percent with a new paint job on your siding. It’s common knowledge that if you replace your siding in an attempt to increase the sale price of your house, you’ll probably only get about 80% of your initial investment back. What is overlooked, though, is the curb appeal that draws potential buyers to your house. Had the old siding still been on the house, would they have been more open with a bid?
Warranty The majority of siding installers will collaborate with siding producers who provide a product warranty. If you want to replace your siding rather than paint it, be sure to research your options because warranties vary. However, be aware that most manufacturers will void the guarantee if you choose to paint over siding.
It’s likely that you have read or heard that painting your siding is not the best choice. The information’s original source will advise replacing it if it becomes worn. That’s most likely the path that people who have enough money will take. Painting damaged siding that needs to be replaced, on the other hand, will just delay the inevitable and likely increase the project’s final cost.
Paint may not be the greatest option if you want a new look because there are many other types of siding available today that may appeal to you more than a paint job. Additionally, siding manufacturers have increased their textures and colors over the past few years. If you replace your siding, you have alternatives that painting cannot provide, including adding scallops for a fresh look or an underlayment that can increase energy efficiency.
Why do you need to paint vinyl siding?
Siding will eventually lose its shine. Over time, the siding’s protective layer will erode. Over time, dirt will progressively accumulate and cause it to fade due to exposure to the sun. You can be certain that you will eventually need to paint it or replace it because power washing only lasts so long.
Assume for the moment that you are unable to replace your siding due to financial constraints, but you are aware that painting your current siding can restore some of its shine. If you are positive that the siding is still in good condition, then that choice is entirely justified.
Why you don’t need to paint vinyl siding: top reasons to replace
Here are some other points to consider:
- • If painting your siding will void your warrant You might think about replacing the siding because (according to many manufacturers) “altering” it will void the warranty.
- • Paint doesn’t last as long as new siding either, which is an additional consideration that needs to be made while making your choice. In addition, weather restrictions prevent you from painting your exterior during certain months of the year.
- • Are you certain the paint you want to use will actually work on your siding? Certain paints will not adhere to certain types of siding, and certain siding types will not absorb paint well. You’re out of luck if the color you’ve chosen doesn’t go with the siding type you have.
- • When you prep the siding for paint, you’re making sure you’ve got all the dirt and grime off of it It implies that you’ll probably be using a power washer, which has a bad reputation for causing siding damage. Additionally, moisture that gets trapped beneath your siding may cause damage to the house and ruin your paint job.
- • Damaged panels will be more difficult to replace in the future as it’s unlikely that the siding will be offered by the manufacturer in the color you selected.
- • More error is involved in painting than in replacing siding while you hire a siding contractor to professionally install new siding, you won’t have to deal with the “unforgiving” mistakes that happen while painting.
- • Unpredictable results also come into play when you paint Regarding the actual appearance of the finished product, it’s usually a bit of a coin toss.
Although painting may appear like a lower risk endeavor, historical evidence suggests otherwise. Everything needs to be ideal when painting, including the sort of paint you choose, the siding’s cleanliness, and the weather. There’s little doubt that replacing your siding will yield benefits that will leave you feeling satisfied.
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