Siding won’t keep its original luster forever. The protective coating on the siding will eventually wear. The sun will cause it to fade, and you’ll see grime build up gradually over the years. Power washing only works for a finite amount of time, so you know you’ll have to either paint it or replace it at some point in the near future.

 

Let’s say you’re in a situation where you just don’t have the money to replace your siding right now, yet you know putting a coat of paint on your existing siding can bring back some luster. That’s a perfectly justifiable decision if you are certain the siding is still in good shape. Many residential vinyl siding experts would suggest adding extra protection for your siding to preserve the beauty and the durability of it as time goes by.

 

1. Affordability

You can save 50 to 60 percent by painting instead of replacing your siding.

 

2. Aesthetics

When your siding takes on a weathered look, painting it will improve the aesthetics of it, in some cases to a near-factory appearance.

 

3. Layer of protection

When your siding’s protective coating wears off, you need something to replace it and protect your siding from the elements, and paint does the trick.

 

4. Increase your home value

Don’t be surprised if the appraiser gives you extra points because you have a fresh coat of paint on your siding.

 

5. A new look

If you’ve grown weary of the color that’s been on your home for years and years and you want to jump into a new color that’s trending, painting will get you there.

 

6. Increased lifespan

When you add another layer of protection to your siding, regardless of what kind it is, you’re increasing its lifespan.

 

7. Project time savings

If you’re removing and replacing siding from your home, you’re looking at a multi-day project. Painting takes significantly less time.

If you can benefit from one or more of these perks, then painting your siding might be the best option for you.

 

Points to Consider

 

If painting your siding will void your warranty (many manufacturers say “altering” the siding will void the warranty), you should consider replacing.

• Paint doesn’t last as long as new siding, either, which is another aspect that must be factored into your decision. Plus, you can only paint your exterior during specific months of the year due to weather.

 

• Some types of siding will not properly absorb the paint and some paints will not stick to the siding. If you’ve picked a color that you like and it isn’t compatible with your type of siding, you’re out of luck.

 

• When you prep the siding for paint, you’re making sure you’ve got all the dirt and grime off of it, which means you’ll likely be using a power washer, which are notorious for damaging siding. You’re also likely to get moisture trapped up underneath your siding, which can cause damage to the home and make a mess of your paint job.

 

• Damaged panels will be more difficult to replace in the future, because the manufacturer won’t likely have the siding available in the color you chose.

 

• More error is involved in painting than in replacing siding. The mistakes you make while painting are often considered “unforgiving,” which is not something you’ll run into when you choose a siding contractor to professionally install new siding.

 

• Unpredictable results also come into play when you paint. It’s usually a bit of a toss up when it comes to what the end product will actually look like.

 

• It might seem that painting involves less risk, but history shows otherwise. When you paint, everything has to be perfect – from the weather to the cleanliness of the siding to the type of paint you choose. What’s more certain is that when you replace your siding, you are going to see results that will leave you with no regrets.