DIY Home Project: How to Paint Vinyl Siding

Is it time to paint your house? No doubt, this is a big undertaking, but if you know how to paint vinyl siding correctly, the end result will be a successful DIY home project that will leave your home looking great. With the help of our specialists at Lifetime Windows & Doors, here are some simple tips that will help you efficiently paint the vinyl siding on your home.

Tip #1: Clean.
Just like any house that is about to undergo a paint job, it is important to thoroughly clean and dry the house material before you start. Make sure that the siding is free of dirt, mold, or other debris that tends to accumulate over time. If you skip this step, you may run into some problems with painting, and that will just add frustration and extra time to the job. Pressure washers are usually the fastest and easiest way to clean the vinyl siding, and check your local home supply store to see what cleaners are recommended for vinyl siding.

Tip #2: Make the color choice.
This seems like an easy step, but there are a couple of things to note. Experts recommend that the color that you pick should be a shade lighter than the existing siding color. This is because siding material will absorb the darker material and may end up causing damage in the long run. When you’re looking at paint, be sure that the paint is vinyl-safe. Lifetime Windows & Doors uses a vinyl-safe paint by Sherwin-Williams and we also recommend this for composite window and door trims. If you use the wrong paint, it could distort the siding or cause it to buckle.

Tip #3: Paint.
Once you have decided what color the new siding will be, it’s time to get to work. Plan to put at least two coats on the siding and don’t paint on extremely hot days or days that there is wind and rain. Cool autumn days or dry spring days are both great options when it comes to painting time. Once you’re done, remember that you do not have the same maintenance-free material that you did with the vinyl. The newly painted siding needs to be treated like other types of painted surfaces and you will need to touch up as needed. In addition, every 10 years, a new coat of paint should be applied.

If your siding is failing altogether, a paint job probably isn’t going to help very much. Instead, you should consider replacing the siding so it can help protect the structure of your home while keeping it looking great. We have a variety of James Hardie, Hardie Plank siding that won’t warp, melt or fade like the traditional vinyl. It’s impervious to insects, fire resistant and is also offered in prefinished “Color Plus” with insulated versions available as well. We love serving Portland area customers and now, our new location also serves customers in Bend and Central Oregon! Contact us today if you need expert advice on siding.