When it comes to exterior cladding or siding for the home, vinyl is one of the most popular and budget-friendly materials available. Its low maintenance requirements and durability also make it a favorite amongst homeowners. However, even with its long-lasting properties, vinyl is not invincible, and its appearance will eventually look faded and worn out with time, so it is important to choose the right type of spray paint. When this happens, repainting the siding can be an effective way to give your home’s exterior a new look. Below is everything you need to know about repainting your home’s vinyl siding.
What Repainting Your Vinyl Siding Will Do
Giving your home’s vinyl siding a new coat of paint will:
- Refresh its weathered or faded surface to give it an appearance that is nearly factory-new. This will, of course, improve kerb appeal and your home’s value.
- Protect the vinyl siding from the elements, thus, improving its durability (the new coat can last for up to 10 years without fading or wearing out).
- Be cheaper and much less labour-intensive than a replacement.
- Allow for a wide selection of colours and finishes.
Factors To Consider Before Repainting Your Vinyl Siding
For homes where the siding covers the majority of the exterior, repainting vinyl siding can be a large project, so it is important to consider the following factors:
Painting Costs- Considering the costs of having your home’s vinyl siding repainted can help you determine whether to take it on as a DIY project or leave things to professional painters like PBM Paints. The exterior surface of a home is quite large, so if you plan to DIY, then you will need to dedicate many hours (which you may not have) to the project.
The repainting process will also require a good level of skill and expertise, including various tools and equipment (sprayers, scaffolding, and paint), which may bring on additional costs for you. At the end of the day, letting the professionals handle your vinyl siding painting is the more cost-effective and time-saving option.
Paint Colour Selection- Your choice of paint colour is also important when repainting vinyl siding. In order to select a colour that is appropriate, you need to consider the brand of your siding and its existing colour. Typically, the new colour you choose should be similar or lighter than the existing colour of your siding. Colours that are too dark may cause the warping of the lighter siding underneath.
The style of your home should also be considered when choosing a siding colour. You can also base the colour of your siding on other exterior features like the roof colour, and any stone or brick that makes up part of your exterior.
The Right Vinyl Siding Paint– It is also highly important that you go for a vinyl siding paint that contains the right ingredients. To achieve the best outcome from painting vinyl siding, the paint used must meet certain specifications. Typically, the paint used for vinyl siding should contain acrylic and urethane resins, as these ingredients allow the coating to stick while also accommodating the contraction and expansion of the vinyl. A latex urethane paint that has been formulated for exterior use is a good choice here.
The Painting Process
If you have chosen to go the DIY route, this simple vinyl siding painting guide should help:
Step 1: Choose the appropriate vinyl siding paint colour and brand.
Step 2: Check that the weather is appropriate for painting. Ideally, the weather condition for exterior vinyl siding painting is a mild temperature, an overcast sky, and low relative humidity. Also, be sure that the weather forecast predicts clear skies for a minimum of one-day post paint job.
Step 3: Prep the vinyl’s surface. This should begin with a thorough cleaning to remove all dirt, debris, mold, mildew, and chalky build-up from the surface of the vinyl. You can use a cleaning solution (1/3 cup laundry detergent and 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner, mixed in a quart of liquid laundry bleach and a gallon of water) and a soft-bristled brush or piece of cloth for this. Once you have cleaned the siding with the solution, rinse off any residue and allow the surface to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Priming the surface. This is done to ensure the consistency of the finish and proper adhesion of the paint to the surface. Priming may not be necessary if the original colour of your vinyl siding is only partially worn away. A vinyl siding that is porous or pitted could also benefit from priming.
Step 5: Applying the paint. This is done after the primer has dried. The paint should be applied evenly with either a roller or paint sprayer. At least two coats of paint are usually recommended. Also, ensure to let the first coat of paint dry before applying the next one. Once you have achieved a desired coat, the freshly painted vinyl siding should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before the project is considered complete.
Conclusion
Painting your home’s vinyl siding is a great way to give your exterior a fresh and new appearance, but it is a laborious job. If you are not prepared to make the commitment, then it is better to let the professionals handle the project. When done right, vinyl siding painting offers benefits such as; a long-lasting finish, protection against the elements, improved curb appeal, and value.
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