Should I Paint or Replace My Siding?

Should I replace my aluminum siding or paint it?
Many homeowners think that they have to replace aluminum siding when the appearance begins to degrade. Since painting is only a fraction the cost of full replacement, fortunately it isn’t necessary to replace your siding when it begins looking dingy. After a thorough power washing and a good paint-job, your siding should look as good as new.

Aluminum siding has an enamel finish that does not require much maintenance and can usually last for 30 to 40 years, depending on the surroundings and varying environmental factors. For example, in areas with more sunlight, the Ultra-Violet rays can break down the enamel finish over time, causing a chalky film to form. This film can be cleaned with a power-washing, but eventually the enamel will break down completely making the siding aesthetically unsightly. At this point, most people think that replacing the siding is critical, but in fact, since metal does not expand or contract as wood or vinyl does, painting the aluminum will often last longer than normal. With some good 100% acrylic paint, you can pick a fresh color and transform the exterior appearance of your house.

Of course, if your siding is severely dented or damaged from heavy storms or wind, it would be wise to replace the siding, but other in most cases it is usually more efficient to repaint.

How do I paint siding?
After you thoroughly clean the siding and get rid of dirt, debris and pollen, paint will adhere nicely to it. It is wise to hire a contractor who can do a thorough power-washing to the home exterior, since it is of utmost importance to completely remove mold and mildew as well as any chalk film (broken-down enamel caused by UV rays).

Once the siding is clean and dry, paint can be most easily by applied by spraying. You can also paint siding with a brush or roller, but spraying produces the smoothest finish.

Which type of paint should I use?
You should use a water-based latex or acrylic paint, but the top coat should be an 100% acrylic exterior paint. Most of these types of paint are self-priming on aluminum, which makes the project a bit simpler. If you still wish to apply a full primer coat, the primer should be tinted to a ½ shade of the finish color to minimize the number of top coats. However, using a full primer coat prior to the two finish coats (rather than just using the self-priming paint) will not necessarily extend the lifespan of the paint-job.

When painting vinyl siding, you should usually apply a color lighter than the original vinyl color. However, modern paints are available in “vinyl safe colors” that allow darker colors to be applied over lighter colored siding; so just be sure to research the paint you choose.

If your siding is showing wear, or if you are interested in changing the color of your siding, consult a painting company to learn more. For those around the mid-Maryland, or DC metro areas, Hallco Enterprises would be delighted to discuss your needs and the best solutions with you.