As a homeowner, each year brings about new project ideas and upgrade requirements. Although beautiful at installation, vinyl siding will fade and weather over the seasons, and following several years of deterioration, you’ll be faced with an important decision: to replace the vinyl siding or have it painted.
This article is going to explore the pros and cons of vinyl siding painting, covering the most important decision factors, some commonly asked questions, and more.
Pros of Painting Vinyl Siding
When it comes to painting vinyl siding, there are a reasonable amount of project pros, including:
- Reduced cost – Depending on the size of the project, vinyl siding painting projects will often cost thousands of dollars less than replacement projects. If the budget is top of mind, the decision can be made quite easily.
- Reduced time – New vinyl siding installation projects can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to complete, whereas vinyl siding painting projects should only require 2-10 days. If time is of the essence, painting will certainly be the better route to take.
- New visuals – A quick vinyl painting job will allow for complete exterior colour customization, making your vinyl look brand new and your home modern.
- Added layer of protection – Up against the elements, painted vinyl siding will do a wonderful job of protecting your home. Depending on the type of paint you use, you’ll be able to protect against most anything.
- Adds home value – If you’re planning to sell your home and need to have it looking sharp, a fresh coat of paint on the vinyl siding will bring it back to life.
Cons of Painting Vinyl Siding
Compared to the pros, the cons of painting vinyl siding are quite minimal. That said, it’s important to consider them prior to making your project decision.
- Longevity – New siding will last much longer than painted vinyl siding, as the paint from factors will wear much slower than that done personally. If you opt for new siding, expect colours to remain vibrant for decades. If you plan on painting, know that it will need to be redone every five years or so.
- Worsening quality – Painting over panels that are damaged or cracked will not prevent them from lasting longer. Over time, these poor-quality panels will begin to permanently break, and you’ll need to replace them.
- Poor colour choice – It can sometimes be difficult to determine which vinyl siding paint colours will work best with home and the panels themselves. Be sure to research the type of panels you have prior to painting to prevent warping.
- Warranty issues – If your vinyl siding is still within warranty, painting them may cause coverage issues.
Painting Old Vinyl Siding vs. Siding Replacement
There are few exterior items that will have your home looking as modern as a new vinyl siding color. That said, a new color can be achieved through both paint and unit replacement. There are benefits to both routes, each providing value in terms of quality, cost, and effort.
Making a vinyl siding decision can be stressful, as construction projects almost always weigh heavily on both the pocketbook and short-term quality of life. Thankfully, you don’t need to navigate the road alone. In the next section, we explore the various factors to be considered prior to make a painting or replacement decision for your vinyl siding.
Factors to Consider Before Making a Decision on Painting or Replacing Vinyl Siding
- Siding’s Age – Although fresh paint will look great, what really matters is that the siding is continuing to protect your home. If your siding is 20-years or older, it’s probably best to replace it rather than painting, as the quality of the siding itself is compromised.
- Cost of Painting vs. Replacing – From a budgetary standpoint, it makes more sense to paint vinyl siding than to replace. If your siding is in decent shape, or you’re looking for a custom colour that the manufacturer doesn’t produce, painting will be an affordable way of making things look new. The national average for painting a home is roughly $3,700, whereas new vinyl siding will cost roughly $5,500 for a 1,500 square foot home.
- Condition – Back on the note of quality. If your vinyl siding has any major buckles, gaps, or moisture seeping through, it’s time to replace. Spending money on paint for siding that is no longer usable is certainly ill-advised.
- Aesthetic Appearance – Both painting and new vinyl siding installation will offer a refreshed, modern look for your home. Regardless of the option you elect to go with, know that you’ll have plenty of attention.
- Warranty – Most new siding installations will be accompanied by a manufacturer and installer warranty, ensuring that you’re covered should anything go wrong. With painting, there is no warranty of the outcome. In most cases, painting will actually void any outstanding warranties on the vinyl siding you already have installed.
- Preserve or Increase Home Value – Both new vinyl siding and fresh siding paint will increase the curb appeal and value of your home. That said, you can expect a painting project to increase the sale price by 2-5%, and with the minimal cost of project completion, it can produce quite a healthy return on investment. For siding replacement, you should expect to recover approximately 80% of the project costs. Not quite as lucrative, but certainly still helpful for maximizing the sale value of your home.
How Long Will My Vinyl Siding Last if I Paint It?
Although there are a series of factors to consider for determining the longevity of your vinyl siding paint, including the type of paint, coats, colors, and more, you should expect the fresh coat to remain solid for up to 5 years. Near the fifth year, you’ll begin to see some fading and quality deterioration, at which point it’s probably time to repaint (or replace) the siding.
If you’re looking for an expert team to replace your vinyl siding, look no further than Prestige Painting. As an award-winning painting company in the GTA, we’ve helped clients create beautiful homes for years. With solutions for exterior, interior, trim, ceiling, and more, you can trust that we have what it takes to keep your home looking beautiful. To learn more about our services, or to request a quote for your vinyl siding paint project, contact our team today!