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Can you paint a vinyl house


Can You Paint Vinyl Siding? You Bet. Here’s How — Advice from Bob Vila

A sensible siding solution, vinyl remains a popular and budget-friendly choice for home exteriors. Many homeowners have chosen vinyl for its low maintenance requirements, and the material has only gotten easier to maintain and longer lasting, benefiting over the years from advancements in manufacturing. Even so, it’s not—and will never likely be—invincible. If your siding is looking faded or worn, or if you’ve just grown tired of the color, you might be wondering: “Can vinyl siding be painted?” The answer is: Yes, vinyl siding can indeed be painted!

On homes in which siding covers most of the exterior, painting vinyl siding can be a large project. However, the good news is that it’s not a particularly complicated task. You may fear that in order to paint vinyl successfully, you will need to learn a new set of idiosyncratic, vinyl-only techniques. Fortunately, that’s not the case. If you’ve painted anything else before, most of the following steps for how to paint vinyl siding will probably be familiar. Plus, we’ll detail the handful of vinyl-specific considerations that you’ll need to keep in mind to get the job done right.

Tools & Materials

STEP 1: Choose an appropriate vinyl siding paint color (the paint has to have certain properties, too).

For some, the first step may be the most difficult. There are so many colors that it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, there are a few ways to narrow down the options and feel confident about the exterior house paint color you choose.

Basing color choice on the home’s style can help. Many paint makers offer historically accurate collections of colors for specific house styles. For example, Sherwin-Williams offers exterior color palettes for Queen Anne, Craftsman, Georgian, Suburban Modern, and other styles of homes.

Another way to choose an exterior siding color is to consider the home’s other exterior features. Look for colors that go with the roof color, and any brick or stone that is part of the facade. In order to help envision a new color on your home, search for inspiration images of homes that have the same fixed feature colors.

Climate and neighborhood restrictions may also help narrow the choices. While the roof has a larger impact on heat gain in a home, the color of the walls can also make an impact. Cooler colors lead to less heat gain. Plus, many communities have regulations dictating and limiting paint colors, and some homeowners may need to gain approval from the homeowners association before painting a house.

Finally, keep in mind that it’s easiest and most cost-effective for the homeowner if the new exterior paint color they choose is the same color or a lighter hue than the current color. This is because darker colors retain more heat, can leave the siding vulnerable to premature warping, and may also create other maintenance problems.

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STEP 2: Make sure the vinyl siding paint you choose contains the right ingredients.

Although it can be tempting, don’t try to save time and money by purchasing the least expensive and most easy-to-reach can of paint. For a paint job to look good and last on vinyl siding, the product needs to have a few specific qualities.

Paint for vinyl siding contains acrylic and urethane resins. These ingredients accommodate the expansion and contraction of vinyl and help the coating stick. Vinyl siding paint requires a latex urethane paint formulated for exterior use.

STEP 3: Check the weather forecast for painting day.

Before heading outdoors to start painting your vinyl siding, first consult the weather forecast for your area. The ideal weather condition for exterior painting is a mild temperature, low relative humidity, and an overcast sky.

If the weather is too hot, too sunny, or even too windy, the paint may fail to go on properly. While it might look fine in the short term, paint applied on a hot, humid, or gusty day may adhere poorly as it cures and be more prone to cracking and flaking over time. Also make sure the weather forecast predicts clear skies for at least one day after the paint job is complete.

STEP 4: Prepare the vinyl surface.

A thorough cleaning is a critical step toward achieving a professional-quality paint job—not only on vinyl, but on any material that’s inside or outside. Simply rinsing the house’s siding with running water from a garden hose won’t cut it.

The goal is to remove all mold, mildew, chalky buildup, and debris from the surface. For best results, make a cleaning solution that contains the following ingredients.

Use a cloth or a soft-bristled brush to apply the cleaning solution before painting vinyl siding, then be sure to rinse off any remaining residue. Before going any further, allow enough time for the siding to dry completely.

For specific tips about this process, check out our other article on how to clean vinyl siding.

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STEP 5: Set up paint supplies and apply primer, if necessary.

Before applying paint, set up a drop cloth to protect any plants or other surfaces from paint splatters. If needed, set up a ladder on a stable, flat surface and ask a helper to hold the ladder while you use it.

After the work area is set up and the supplies are gathered, it’s time to start painting. However, before applying the chosen color, primer may be needed. Primer is recommended to make sure the finished paint job is consistent and has good adhesion. It may not be necessary if the original color hasn’t completely or partially worn away. If the vinyl is pitted or porous, it will also benefit from primer.

STEP 6: Apply two coats of vinyl paint.

After the primer is dry, apply your chosen paint with a roller or a paint sprayer, saving brushwork for corners and edges. Evenly coat the entire surface, taking care not to apply too much paint in any one section. As for most other types of paint jobs, it’s better to do multiple light coats than one thick coat.

Upon finishing the first coat, let the paint dry before continuing on to the second coat. The second coat, however, must be given enough time (24 hours at least) to dry completely before the project can be considered complete.

Most of the time two coats are sufficient, but that doesn’t always do the trick. Once you have allowed the second coat of paint to dry completely, assess its appearance to determine whether an additional coat may be needed.

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Final Thoughts

Painting a home’s exterior (and painting vinyl siding) is a laborious job. The silver lining to completing such a large-scale is this: Assuming that you properly cleaned the siding prior to painting and had ideal weather conditions during paint application, you can reasonably expect the new coat of paint to last 10 years or more.

Now that you know the answer to the question of can you paint vinyl siding, remember that it’s easier said than done. Depending on the size of a home and how much vinyl siding is covering the home, painting vinyl siding can take a day or it can take an entire weekend or more to properly clean, apply primer, and coat twice with the chosen paint color. Because jobs like this typically involve climbing on tall ladders, it’s also important to enlist a helper for safety reasons —and to make the job easier and faster.

FAQs About How to Paint Vinyl Siding

Freshly painted vinyl siding can transform the look of a home in about a weekend. It’s a laborious project, but the cost savings and satisfaction of a home makeover can be worth it. While we’ve shared the steps in painting vinyl siding, there may be some lingering questions. Below are answers to some of the most popular questions about how to paint vinyl siding.

Q. How long will my vinyl siding last if I paint it?

With regular maintenance and cleaning, vinyl siding can last from 20 to 40 years. Paint may need to be applied every 10 years or so, depending on local weather conditions.

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Q. How do you make vinyl siding look modern?

Paint colors can help make vinyl siding look more modern. Choosing rich neutrals over pastels can infuse a sided home with modernity. Also, pairing the siding with exterior elements like modern furniture on a porch, statement-making door decor, and carefully chosen landscaping also helps make the entire house facade feel more modern.

Q. How much does it cost to paint over vinyl siding?

On average, it can cost $4,000 to paint a 2,000-square-foot home, according to Fixr. Costs vary by location, number of coats, the age of the siding, and whether you paint it yourself or hire a professional painter.

Q. Is it bad to pressure-wash vinyl siding before painting?

Vinyl siding should be washed and dried prior to painting. If it’s dirty, paint will stick to the dirt and grime on the vinyl siding and be unable to adhere to the siding. When the dirt finally flakes off, it will leave behind blemishes in the cured paint.

Q. What siding colors for houses help get the best resale value?

The best colors for home resale include neutrals and traditional colors like off-white, yellow, light blue, gray, taupe, putty, and blue gray.

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Can You Paint Vinyl Siding? 5 Factors to Consider

If your home is ready for an exterior facelift, painting your vinyl siding may seem like a quick solution.

However, painting your vinyl siding may not be the best long-term solution for your home. There are five key factors to consider before you decide if you should paint or install new vinyl siding:

  1. Warranty

  2. Cost

  3. Color

  4. Integrity & Durability

  5. Insulation

 

1.

Vinyl Siding Warranty

Most major vinyl siding manufacturers do not honor warranties if the vinyl siding is painted, even for brand new vinyl siding. Be sure to check the specific warranty for the siding currently on your home to determine if paint negates the warranty.

If the siding warranty is expired or no longer valid, or you aren’t concerned with voiding the warranty, paint might be a low-cost option.

One final word of caution: if your home suffers damage that requires a claim, your insurance agency may not honor the claim if the vinyl is painted.

2. Vinyl Siding Cost vs. Painting

According to Home Advisor, the typical cost to paint a home’s exterior is $1687 - $3,907.

You may be able to save money by doing the project yourself, but plan to dedicate many hours to the project. Don’t underestimate how large the exterior surface of the home is and how much paint you will need. Also, don't forget the cost of additional tools like sprayers or scaffolding.

New vinyl siding costs between $5,000 - $14,050, according to Home Advisor.

(Check out this article on 5 Factors that Influence the Cost of Vinyl Siding.)

Although new siding comes with a higher price tag, it requires no regular painting or maintenance and is guaranteed by the manufacturer for 30 years or more.

You can also expect to recoup 76.4% of the total cost of new siding according to Remodeling Magazine, reducing the true cost of the project over time!

On average, painted homes will need a new coat of paint every five years. You may be required to repaint if the paint didn’t adhere well to the siding, or if your home gets exposed to extreme elements of sunlight and moisture. If you plan to stay in your home, the cost of painting can quickly add up to the price of a new siding job.

If you do not properly paint vinyl siding, it can take your home’s appearance from bad to worse, and the money you spent on the paint job will have been wasted.

3.

 Integrity of the Siding and the Home

 

 

Photo credit: http://hugohd.com/editor/

Your siding serves as the first line of defense between your home and the outdoor elements. Making changes to your home that could degrade that defense could be detrimental to your home.

When new siding is installed, the old siding is typically removed. Professional contractors then inspect the home for any damage from moisture, pests, or walls settling over time. Any problems are corrected before the contractor installs new siding. In addition, insulated vinyl siding products come with contoured insulation attached to the back, providing superior impact resistance after installation.

 

What is Insulated Vinyl Siding? Materials, Pros, Cons, and Installation

Read the full article >>

 

 

 

When painting, any underlying problems are not made visible before going over the existing siding. In addition, damage to the siding from wind, hail, or rocks thrown from the lawn mower are not corrected by painting siding. Damage spots can serve as points of infiltration for moisture or pests, causing problems like mold and nesting.

4. Paint Color Selection

If you decide to paint vinyl siding, be sure to select an appropriate color based on your siding brand and current color. Too dark of a color can cause the lighter siding underneath to warp. It is generally recommended to use a siding color that is similar or lighter than the color of your current siding.

Some major paint companies, such as Benjamin Moore, offer a curated palette of 59 colors that they consider to be safe for vinyl siding.

Installing new vinyl siding provides you thousands of color options and profiles to choose from.  

Photo credit: http://www.royalbuildingproducts.com/

 

5.

Siding and Insulation

If you’re looking to change the appearance of your home, you might not be thinking about insulation. Adding insulation under new siding can provide real energy savings by keeping heat where it belongs. Products like insulated vinyl siding have insulation permanently attached to the back, improving your home’s appearance, energy efficiency, and durability.

Painting old siding doesn’t give you an opportunity to add a layer of insulation underneath, so you will keep paying the utility companies month after month.

Summary

It is possible to paint vinyl siding and has been done by many. But once you paint a vinyl sided home, it can’t be undone, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons before opening the paint can.

Can vinyl siding be painted a different color?

Vinyl siding is one of the most affordable ways to finish your home's exterior. It is lightweight compared to other siding materials and is very durable. However, there is one drawback which is that it fades in the sun.

Contents

  1. Can siding be painted?
  2. How to paint vinyl siding
  3. Choosing a color for painting vinyl siding
  4. How to paint PVC siding
  5. Preparing siding before painting
  6. When is it better to paint plastic siding
  7. How to paint plastic siding in a different color
  8. How to do an adhesion test:
  9. Painting a house sheathed with siding

Is it possible to paint siding?

Heavy duty vinyl will last over 50 years with minimal maintenance. However, UV rays will eventually take their toll and the color of the siding will become tired and pale that no amount of washing can renew.

Yes, you can do it today! 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago, the answer would have been less reassuring, but with today's high quality paints, it's entirely possible to freshen up and protect your home's vinyl with a coat of good paint.

Modern paints of higher quality than they were ten years ago, with better binders and more permanent pigments. To paint your siding, you will need a high quality exterior acrylic latex paint. Look for a brand that uses vinyl-safe elements.

Please note: Be sure to check the warranty on your siding before painting. Many brands provide a lifetime warranty, but if you do vinyl staining, the warranty will be voided and some manufacturers consider.

4 benefits of repainting vinyl siding

Painting siding is a more cost-effective alternative to replacing it completely. Painting allows you to save from 50% to 60%.

In addition to saving you money, a new paint job will give your siding a new look - much nicer. This not only adds an aesthetic element to your home, but also enhances its value. A beautiful home will make you happy with a higher resale value and a fresh color will give the impression that your home is in good condition.

Colors are going out of fashion. You can choose a paint color that is different from your current siding to change the color of your home to match your personal design preferences or current trends. The updated color scheme will increase the appeal and decorate your home.

Perhaps one of the most important benefits of repainting is the protection it provides. The latest technology has been used to create durable yet flexible paints that will expand and contract with your vinyl, giving it the protection it needs from further UV damage. In addition, the underlying layer will be better protected from moisture and insects.

How to paint vinyl siding

Painting is not a difficult task, but it does require proper equipment and a lot of preparation. There are no secrets to learn, as all the secrets are in the paint. In fact, painting vinyl requires less prep work than painting other types of siding, such as brick, wood, or fiberboard.

If you have ever painted a wall, you are already familiar with the technology of painting. We'll also outline the specifics you need to keep in mind when it comes to vinyl painting.

Color selection for vinyl siding

Dark paint absorbs heat, which can cause the paint to bubble and peel.

What paint to paint PVC siding

You can find cheap exterior paint at the hardware store, but your siding needs specially formulated paints to save money.

Look for exterior latex paints that contain urethane and acrylic resins. These compounds allow the paint to maintain its elasticity and resist the expansion and contraction of the vinyl as it heats up during the day and cools down at night. Other paints may crack and peel off over time.

Preparing Siding Before Painting

Fortunately, vinyl siding does not usually need to be primed before painting. If the surface is severely damaged, such as pitted and porous, or the original color has been worn off, it should be applied.

Cleaning Siding Before Painting

Your choice of paint is critical to painting, as is the cleaning process. In fact, you are likely to spend more time cleaning than painting.

Simply rinsing the siding with a hose will not solve all problems. You will need to remove all mold, chalk residue, and any debris from the surface and seams of the siding. If you don't, the paint will just peel off after it dries.

You do not need to spend money on expensive professional detergents. Just mix laundry detergent, comet, bleach and water and you have clean siding:

If you are using a high pressure washer, be careful with the pressure settings so you don't damage the siding or peel off paint that adheres well to the surface. If the siding has been previously painted, you can remove any peeling paint from the surface.

The best way to clean paint siding is to use a garden sprayer. Point the nozzle down because you don't want to force water under the edges of the siding.

Once you have covered the siding with mortar, let it sit for 10 minutes. Then brush it with a soft bristled brush. Rinse the siding well and let it dry completely.

What weather is best to paint plastic siding

The success of any painting largely depends on the weather. If it's too hot, the paint will dry too quickly, giving it a patchy look. If the weather is too windy, this can cause debris to get into the paint or the surface to dry too quickly, leaving an uneven finish. Paint applied under these conditions may crack and flake over time.

Look for moderate temperatures and low humidity. An overcast sky is also good so that the sun does not heat up the surface and dry the paint too quickly.

How to paint plastic siding a different color

With the high quality paints available today, you can find a brand that will suit your siding. However, the only way to know for sure is to take a test.

How to do an adhesion test:

Paint a few small areas of the siding with 100% acrylic paint. It's a good idea to apply this to different sides of the house. Let dry for approximately 48 hours.

Using a utility knife, make cuts in the paint that should cut through the entire paint.

Take a piece of clean, high quality packing tape and press it firmly against the notched areas. Rub it to make it snug, and then remove the tape by pulling it at a sharp angle. The goal is to peel off any paint that has chipped off at the corners.

If there is only a small amount of ink on the tape, then it adheres very well. But if there is a lot of paint sticking on the tape, you need to try another brand.

Painting a house with siding

If the vinyl peels and cracks, primer should be applied first. Then you can apply paint.

For better painting, it is recommended to use a 100% acrylic spray gun. Use a spray gun to cover the surface, being careful to apply the paint evenly. You can also use a paint roller. Use the brush to paint around the edges around the windows and doors and paint over the corners.

It is better to apply one thin coat of paint and let it dry and then apply another thin coat than one thick coat. The second coat needs about 24 to dry completely.

Usually two coats are enough to complete a project, but if you are not satisfied with the look, a third coat can be applied after the first two have dried completely.

With the right preparation and the right painting conditions, your high quality paint should look good for over a decade!

Articles Stroyformat - Is it possible to paint vinyl siding?


Vinyl siding has long been one of the most affordable ways to decorate a home. Compared to other materials, it is quite durable and lightweight. But there is one serious drawback, which is the fading of color in the sun. After a certain time, the finish must be restored.

When You Might Need to Paint Vinyl Siding

Most vinyl siding vendors claim that the material is durable and requires minimal maintenance. But still it loses its appearance. Painting may be needed for the following reasons:

* Wear. Over time, the panels lose their presentable appearance, they become fragile and brittle. Under the influence of sunlight and temperature changes, as well as due to improper care, the surface of the siding burns out. It loses its protective layer, which leads to the gradual appearance of whitish spots and microcracks. The color starts to fade.

* Aesthetics. It happens that you just want to update the color of the facade, as it is tired. But dismantling the panels and installing new siding will be too expensive and troublesome. In this case, it is better to paint the facing material. So it will be several times more economical and easier.

What paint can be used on vinyl siding

Painting is associated with certain difficulties, which, before the advent of special coloring solutions on the market, almost completely excluded the possibility of restoring the panels. This material has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. Ordinary paint falls off very quickly due to seasonal size fluctuations.

The most suitable paint solutions will be those based on acrylic and urethane resins. Thanks to urethane, the dried paint becomes flexible, which prevents cracking during thermal expansion of the material.

When choosing a coloring composition, it should also be taken into account that matte paint hides material defects much better, but it will be more difficult to clean. Glossy looks more presentable, easy to clean, but it emphasizes existing defects.

In order to heat up the siding as little as possible (and expand less) it is produced mainly in light colors. Therefore, during painting, you should choose a color close to the original or lighter. Dark surfaces heat up much more, which will make the paint stick harder.

How to prepare vinyl siding for painting

Preparing the surface for painting is also very important. If there are defects and mold on the panels, then high-quality staining is impossible. It should also be borne in mind that paint applied to dusty panels will be washed off with the first rains.

The following work must be done before painting:

1. Remove all dirt and dust from the facade with soapy water. In this case, do not use aggressive detergents.
2. If there are places with mold, then it is removed with oxygen bleach.
3. After cleaning, the panels should dry. If it is not possible to wait or it is too cold outside, then you need to wipe them dry with a clean cloth.
4. Then the entire facade is processed with sandpaper. This procedure improves the adhesion of paint and material.
5. If necessary, prime the surface. There are coloring compositions for which this is not required.

How to paint vinyl siding

Before starting work, the paint must be thoroughly mixed. If several cans are used, then their contents should be drained into one container and also mixed. The paint may have a slight discrepancy in shades. If all the cans are not mixed, the surface of the facade after painting may look mottled.

Any handy tool can be used for the job. Suitable brush, roller and paint.
Painting should begin with the wall on which the sun does not fall. Under the influence of the sun, the paint will dry faster, but then it can quickly crack and peel.

The wall should be painted from the top corners and move horizontally. In one pass, 3-4 panels are painted simultaneously. With this method, the borders and stains on the lining will not be visible.

If the new color is very different from the old one, a second coat will be required. The process is carried out in exactly the same way.

When instead of painting it is worth changing the siding

There are cases when painting does not make any sense:
1.

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