When people are looking to update their home’s exterior, painting is often one of the first things that come to mind — and it does work. However, there are several different factors you should consider before getting started, especially if you have vinyl siding.
The cost of paint, tools, and time spent, as well as the need to repaint in a certain number of years can all be factors in your decision-making process. In some cases, painting can also affect the warranty of the siding.
Before you head outside and just start painting your Omaha home’s vinyl siding, there are two questions you should consider first.
In This Article
How Old Is Your Vinyl Siding?
If you’ve had the same vinyl siding on your home for over 20 years, it might be time to consider just replacing the siding. Typically, homes with siding that is over 20 years old end up having it replaced within the next half decade. If you are not sure how old your home’s siding is, you should have a professional siding expert come to your home to do an evaluation.
What Is the Condition of Your Vinyl Siding?
If your siding is already buckling, has rotting spots, or any dents or holes, it is time to consider a replacement. Painting over siding in poor condition will not fix any of the damages it already has, and in some cases, it can even make the situation worse.
If you’re unsure of the exact condition of your vinyl siding, have a professional evaluate it. There is always a chance that a portion of siding might need replacing, but not the entire home. Also, it’s important to remember that painting also doesn’t fix any damage that could affect your siding’s ability to prevent moisture, pests, and more from entering the home.
Pros and Cons of Painting Your Vinyl Siding
If your vinyl siding doesn’t need to be replaced, there are several pros and cons to consider before you start painting it.
Pros of Painting Your Siding
Some of the pros of giving your vinyl siding a fresh coat of paint includes:
Improves Appearance and Value
A fresh coat of paint can take the dullest house and turn it into one of the most desirable on the block. Increasing the curb appeal of your home is always beneficial. Painting vinyl siding that has dings, scuffs, or other light cosmetic damage can rejuvenate and refresh the outward appearance of your home. Painting your siding is also a great idea if you want to get rid of that weathered look.
A new paint job can raise the market value of your home as well. Homes in Omaha with cracked or peeling paint are not as desirable to homebuyers. Fresh paint can make your home look more inviting and well maintained.
Saves Money
Painting your home’s vinyl siding is typically a few thousand dollars cheaper than doing an entire siding replacement. However, if you’re looking at painting your siding from a financial perspective, it’s always important to remember that the house will more than likely need a new paint job in the not-so-far future. Also, if painted improperly, the vinyl siding on your home could come out looking much worse than it did before.
Durability
If the right primers and paints are correctly used on your home’s vinyl siding, it can provide an extra layer of protection against the elements. Under the right conditions, painting your vinyl siding can potentially extend its lifespan.
Cons of Painting Your Vinyl Siding
Some of the cons of painting your vinyl siding include:
Can Void the Warranty
The biggest downside to painting your vinyl siding is the chance that it could void your manufacturer’s warranty. It’s important to check the fine print of the warranty’s terms and conditions before beginning to paint. Choosing to paint your vinyl siding, even if it’s brand new, could cause you to permanently void the warranty.
You should also check with your insurance agency, too. It’s rare, but not unheard of in Omaha, that insurance companies have denied claims because the vinyl siding on a home had been painted. If you’re not concerned about the warranty of your siding, painting can be an affordable option, but it’s typically best in the long run not to take the chance of losing the warranty.
Limited Lifespan
The paint on your vinyl siding will only have a limited lifespan before it needs another fresh coat. Although it may be the affordable way to spruce up your home now, you will be needing to spend more to keep it that way in the future. If the type of paint you use doesn’t hold to the siding, it will quickly crack and peel off, and you’ll have to end up replacing the home’s siding. You’ll be right back where you started.
The Wrong Color
Choosing the wrong color when it comes to painting your vinyl siding doesn’t just mean that it didn’t come out like you wanted it to. Painting your home the wrong color can cause serious damage to the vinyl siding that’s underneath. If you paint a darker color over a lightly colored vinyl siding, the paint could absorb enough UV rays to heat up the siding underneath. This can cause irreversible damage to your vinyl siding.
If you do choose to paint your vinyl siding, make sure you take special care to pick out paint and primer that is specifically designed for the task, and won’t attract a lot of UV rays.
Absorbing more sunlight can also heat up the interior of your Omaha home. During the summer months, it can be more difficult to keep your home efficiently cool if the vinyl siding is holding onto excess heat.
Painting the vinyl siding on your home can be a quick, and relatively inexpensive fix when it comes to sprucing up your home. However, it is very important to take into consideration the potential damage that could be done if the paint job is put on poorly, or if the incorrect paint is chosen.