Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?

The Answer is, Yes. You Can Absolutely Paint Vinyl Siding 

Vinyl siding is a popular choice for home exteriors because it is low maintenance, easy to keep clean, and comes in a variety of colors. The lifespan of vinyl siding is well over 20 years, making it a very cost-effective option. If your home is ready for an exterior refresh, you may think painting the vinyl siding is a quick solution. 

However, painting the siding may not be the best long-term solution. There are perks to painting your vinyl siding, but there are also primary considerations that might steer you toward replacing it. At Allied Roofing Solutions, your New Jersey vinyl siding contractors, we are experienced in working with vinyl siding and can guide you through the pros and cons of painting the siding on your home. This article addresses what you should know about painting the vinyl siding on your home.

Refresh Vinyl Siding with Paint

Painting the siding on your home can be a good idea when the siding is in good condition. A coat of paint refreshes the look of the house, extends the life of the siding, and can potentially increase your home’s value. Painting also protects the siding from the elements when the original coating wears off. If the color of the vinyl has changed over time due to weather but the siding is still in good condition, painting can be a viable option. Paint on vinyl siding can last up to ten years, giving you time to save up for a full replacement

Four Factors to Consider Before Deciding to Paint

Here are four factors to consider that affect the success of painting vinyl siding and determine whether it is a better option than replacing new siding.

Vinyl Siding Warranty

Many vinyl siding manufacturers do not honor a warranty if the siding has been painted. Be sure to check the warranty for the siding on your home to determine if paint negates the warranty. If the warranty has expired, or you aren’t worried about voiding the warranty, paint may be a low-cost option. Additionally, if your home is damaged from a cause that requires a claim, your insurance agency may not honor the claim if the vinyl is painted.

The Condition of the Siding and the Home

It’s important to consider both the condition of the siding and the home’s structure. When you are replacing old siding, the contractors who are installing the new siding inspect the home for damage from moisture, pests, and the walls. If problems are discovered, they are corrected before installation begins. Insulated vinyl siding products have contoured insulation attached to the back that provides impact resistance when installed. 

Painting, on the other hand, doesn’t require looking for underlying issues. Damage from wind, hail, or rocks is not corrected by painting. Damage spots can cause vulnerability to moisture and pests, causing issues like mold and nesting.

Paint Color Selection

Selecting an appropriate color for the brand of your siding and the current color is important to the life of the siding. Using a dark color will cause the siding to warp. It is recommended to use a siding color that is similar to or lighter than the color of the current siding.

Siding and Insulation

If you want to change the appearance of your home, you are probably just focused on the color, not the insulation underneath the siding. Insulation under new siding can provide energy savings. Products like insulated vinyl siding have insulation attached to the back, which not only improves your home’s appearance but also makes the house more energy-efficient and durable. Painting old siding, on the other hand, doesn’t involve adding a layer of insulation underneath.

Pros of Painting Vinyl Siding

These are the positives of painting your vinyl siding:

Saves money -  Instead of replacing the siding when it is in good shape, painting saves you money. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional painter, in most cases, painting vinyl siding is more affordable than replacing it.

Improves the home’s appearance - A new coat of paint can hide imperfections on vinyl siding panels. It gives the home a fresh look and transforms the overall look.

Makes the home’s exterior more durable - If you use the right type of paint and apply it correctly, painting can make the siding more durable. It protects the exterior from the elements and can extend the vinyl siding’s overall life.

Increases the home’s value - Refreshing the look of the vinyl siding can add to the value of your property by updating the faded and peeling older siding.

Cons of Painting Vinyl Siding

Here are the negatives of painting vinyl siding:

The effects are limited - Even though paint can extend the life of the vinyl siding, it won’t last as long as new siding.

Can void the warranty - As stated previously, if your siding is still under warranty, painting can make it null and void.

Can damage the siding - If the project isn’t done correctly, it can lead to problems such as fading, peeling, flaking, and warping. This is why painting can nullify the warranty.

The wrong color can wreak havoc on the siding - If you choose the wrong color (darker than the original color or bright blue, yellow, and red), UV absorption can cause the siding to warp. To prevent warping, paint with a shade lighter than the original manufacturer’s coating.

Contact Allied Roofing Solutions for Vinyl Siding

In summary, there can be pluses to painting the vinyl siding on your house. But, there are quite a few negatives that may be reasons for you to replace the siding instead. If you have vinyl siding and are considering whether to paint or replace it, our New Jersey siding contractors can help guide you. We will present the pluses and the minuses based on your specific home. Call us for a free siding replacement estimate that can help you decide.

Contact us today to schedule a free estimate for a siding replacement by calling us at   (201) 773-0633  or completing our easy-to-use contact form. If you live in Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Morris County, Passaic County, or Somerset County, choose Allied Roofing as your preferred source of quality and trusted vinyl siding solutions in New Jersey.