When it comes to giving your home a refreshing facelift, few things are more impactful than a change in colour. But your ability to apply an easy colour change depends on your house.

If you have brick, for example, a quick shift change is not easy. But what about vinyl siding? Can you paint vinyl siding to give your home a whole new look?

Here is everything you need to know about painting vinyl siding and things to consider before you do. 

Can Vinyl Siding Be Painted on a House? 

Yes, vinyl siding can be painted! And it can be painted much in the same way you can paint anything else. 

Clean it, prime it (if necessary), and paint. 

To keep things clean, you will want to cut in from the windows with a smaller brush and then use a roller on the rest of it. If the vinyl siding is not a smooth surface, be sure to use a ½-inch nap roller as these pick up more paint and are better suited to semi-rough surfaces. 

Factors to Consider Before Painting Vinyl Siding

Before you run out to the store and grab some rollers and paints, there are a few things you should consider when painting your home’s exterior. 

While you can paint vinyl siding, you need to ask: should you paint your vinyl siding? It is entirely possible that this is not the right solution for your situation.

Here’s what you should consider: 

New Vinyl Siding Cost Vs Painting

While the specifics of the cost will depend, in part, on the size of your home, it is cheaper, in the short term, to paint. 

New vinyl siding can cost at least twice as much but it will save you money in the long run.

Painted vinyl siding will need a new coat at least every 5 years or so. Sooner if you live in a place like southeastern Ontario that experiences bright sunny summers and cold blustery winters. These weather conditions can fade and damage your paint job, requiring more frequent touch-ups and repaints. 

On the other hand, new vinyl siding can last 20-40 years, and in some instances, up to 60 years. 

Consider your budget and your plans for the home when deciding whether or not to paint your vinyl siding. If you need a short-term fix, painting may be it but be aware that the costs can creep up over time and be more expensive than just replacing it in the first place. 

Existing Vinyl Siding Warranty

Painting your vinyl siding can void the manufacturer’s warranty. So, if you are at all concerned about the warranty, read it to be sure that painting is okay. 

If you aren’t worried about the warranty or it has expired, be aware that if you need to file an insurance claim at some point in the future, the claim may be denied if the vinyl siding is painted. 

Condition of Siding and Home

Vinyl siding protects your home and in the process can take a real beating. Wind, hail, ice, and even rocks being kicked up by a lawn mower can do damage to your siding. 

If you are painting the siding, it is possible that you are covering up some critical damage. A paint job will not repair or correct this damage. These points of damage can create space where water or pests can get in behind, leading to mold, mildew, or infestations.

When you replace vinyl siding, the old, damaged siding is removed, ensuring your home remains protected. 

Exterior Insulation

When new vinyl siding is installed, homeowners often take the opportunity to install some exterior insulation underneath the siding. In fact, many modern manufacturers of vinyl siding include a layer of insulation attached to the back. (primedentistry.net) This insulation helps your home retain heat and lowers energy costs. 

If you are painting your siding, rather than replacing it, you will miss out on this opportunity. For homes with older siding, this is an especially important consideration.  

Painting vinyl siding does nothing to improve external insulation.

Benefits of Painting Vinyl Siding

There are some benefits to painting vinyl siding. Sometimes all you really need is a cosmetic makeover.

Here are some of the benefits that come with a paint job:

• Lower costs: Painting vinyl siding is cheaper than replacing it. 
• Offers a new look: Sometimes you buy a home with plans to change the exterior colour. Other times you’ve lived in the house for years and are just sick of it. Painting your vinyl siding allows you to refresh the exterior of your home without having to move or replace the siding altogether. 
• Increased curb appeal: If you are looking to sell your home or have it appraised, a paint job may be exactly what it takes to get you noticed.

FAQ

Is It a Good Idea to Paint Vinyl Siding?

Whether or not it is a good idea to paint vinyl siding depends on why you are doing it. It is absolutely a relatively quick and simple solution to improving your home’s appearance, but if you are not committed to frequent repainting and touch-ups, it might not be right for you. 

Similarly, you need to consider any warranties on the siding and any insurance policies for your home. 

How Long Does Vinyl Siding Paint Last?

How long the paint job lasts on vinyl siding depends on a couple of factors like the condition of the siding before the coat of paint is applied and the weather conditions in your area. 

If the siding is old and damaged, the paint may chip and peel requiring you to do it again. When exposed to UV rays and harsh weather conditions, the paint can experience fading or damage. 

But generally speaking, you can expect the paint to last about 5 years if everything lines up in your favour. 

How Much Does It Cost To Paint Vinyl Siding?

The precise costs associated with painting vinyl siding will vary depending on the size of the home and the amount of siding that you have. 

Typically, the costs can run from around $1500 to $5000 per home. 

Should I Pressure Wash Vinyl Siding Before Painting?

It is necessary to clean your siding before painting it. While a pressure washer may seem like a fast way to get grime and debris off your vinyl siding, it may not be the best way to clean it. 

Pressure washers send large amounts of water at high rates of speed. This can do damage to your siding. If you are not very careful, you may find that you crack or dent it. 

Always check with the vinyl siding manufacturer before using a pressure washer. If they say it is safe to use one, make sure that you properly understand how to use the washer. This is especially important if you are renting the equipment. 

When using a pressure washer, always spray at eye level. Spraying upward can cause water to get in behind the siding and lead to mold, mildew, or water damage. 

If you are uncertain about using a pressure washer, you can simply use a cleaning solution, a broom or soft-bristled brush, or a soft cloth, and a garden hose. You can use a store-bought solution for vinyl siding or mix 30% vinegar and 70% water. 

From there, just apply the cleaning solution, wipe it down, and hose it off. 

Key Takeaways

Painting vinyl siding may seem like the perfect solution, and it may very well be, but for most people, replacing the siding is a much better investment. 

Slapping a few coats of paint on vinyl siding does not do much more than change the colour. If your siding is old or has spots of damage, you will still need to replace the siding so it may be more cost-effective to skip the paint completely. 

New vinyl siding will refresh your home, and with a massive selection of colours, you can find make the right statement. 

Trust Energy Kingston Exteriors for vinyl siding installation. Our team of trained professionals will help you find the right style for your home and ensure proper installation. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!