If you have lived in your home for several years want to make a change to the exterior of our home without spending a lot of money, and you have vinyl siding as a cladding, there are a few options available to choose from.
The most cost effective way would be to paint your vinyl siding and to add some vinyl shutters to update the look of your home.
Painting Vinyl Siding Overview
Painting vinyl siding and putting up shutters is something that is relatively easy to do and can be done by yourself as a DIY project. It is very important to find the proper information about painting vinyl siding if you’ve never done it before, as you don’t want the paint to flake or peel within one season. Therefore a proper job should be carried out.
If you’re going to be painting vinyl siding you need to start with an impeccably clean surface. That means a scrub brush, soap and water. You need to get off dirt, grim, dust, and any wax product you may have used to power wash your vinyl siding with. You must also remove any mildew with an oxygen bleach. If there is any oxidation on the siding make sure you clean if off with steel wool. Prime in any areas you have needed to clean with steel wool. Preparing the siding for painting is not the time to get out the power washer.
Using the proper paint for the job is just as important. Vinyl siding by its nature expands and contracts as it is subjected to hot and cold temperatures. Due to this the proper type of paint to use when painting vinyl siding is one that is a blend of urethane and acrylic resins. You’re going to need this type of paint so that it will properly adhere to the surface. This is not the time to skimp on costs. Use a very high grade of vinyl siding paint. Also remember, the higher quality of paint, the longer it should last.
Reading what the experts say the choice of color is extremely important too. They recommend that you do not choose a new paint color that is darker than the original siding. Your original vinyl siding is manufactured to withstand a certain amount of heat, based on its original color. The reason you cannot paint vinyl siding a darker color is because darker colors absorb more heat. More heat causes more contraction and expansion. This can cause panels to warp therefore painting vinyl siding with the proper paint will leave the color lasting for a long time to come.
Steps for Painting Vinyl Siding
First of all before you start you will need the following: Vinyl siding paint, paint brushes or roller brush, drop clothes, ladder, and gloves.
Step 1 – choosing the correct color is very important. The color you pick should be as close to the original color as possible or lighter, dark colors will absorb more heat and can cause your vinyl siding to warp or buckle.
Step 2 – you’ll need to clean your vinyl siding for the paint to adhere properly, you can do so with household cleaner or bleach and a pressure washer. The vinyl siding needs to be scrubbed extra clean for a long lasting effect after it has been painted.
Step 3 – once you have cleaned your siding you can now start to apply your paint. Remember that the paint that you use to paint your vinyl siding has to be a blend of urethane and acrylic resins. This mixture will produce a very user friendly paint with great adhesive properties which is essencial for the expanding and contracting properties of vinyl siding.
Step 4 – you should start at the top corner of one side of you house and work your way lengthwise down the siding. Remember to use smooth even strokes for a better finish. You should also paint your home in cooler weather, overcast days are usually best for painting vinyl siding as it provides excellent conditions for the vinyl siding paint to dry and bond.
Step 5 – it is recommended that you apply two coats of paint as this will give you a much better finish and an added adhesion and flexibility during temperature changes.
Types of Paint for Vinyl Siding
There are several exterior paints available that have been formulated to stick to vinyl siding. They perform very well and many have long term warranties from their manufactures. Below are a few good quality examples of vinyl siding paints for when painting vinyl siding:
WeatherAll – AVESN-GL Neutral Siding Paint
Higher acrylic levels to assure outstanding chalk adhesion properties, low luster finish to reduce glare and to match original siding, high exterior durability, mildew resistant finish, designed for use on aluminum vinyl siding, wood trim, doors shutters, and properly primed metal and hardboard.
* Size – 1 Gallon
* Cost – $19 online
WeatherAll – AVESD-GL Deep Side Paint
Higher acrylic levels to assure outstanding chalk adhesion properties, low luster finish to reduce glare and to match original siding, excellent dirt pick up resistance, excellent UV and fade resistance, high exterior durability, mildew resistant finish, designed for use on aluminum vinyl siding, wood trim, doors shutters, and properly primed metal and hardboard.
* Size – 1 Gallon
* Cost – $22 online
WeatherAll – AVESP-GL Pastel Base Siding Paint
Higher acrylic levels to assure outstanding chalk adhesion properties, low luster finish to reduce glare and to match original siding, excellent dirt pick up resistance, excellent UV and fade resistance, high exterior durability, mildew resistant finish, designed for use on aluminum vinyl siding, wood trim, doors shutters, and properly primed metal and hardboard, VOC less than 50 grams per litre.
* Size – 1 Gallon
* Cost – $24 online
WeatherAll – AVEST-GL Tint Side Paint
Higher acrylic levels to assure outstanding chalk adhesion properties, low luster finish to reduce glare and to match original siding, excellent dirt pick up resistance, mildew resistant finish, designed for use on aluminum vinyl siding, wood trim, doors shutters, and properly primed metal and hardboard.
* Size – 1 Gallon
* Cost – $24 online
Weatherbeater Ultra Latex Exterior Semi-gloss Paint
Durable protection, unique technology resists cracking, peeling and flaking, can be applied at temperatures below those required for ordinary paints, has excellent color retention, high durability and performance, mildew resistant, can be applied to aluminium, vinyl siding, stucco, masonry and wood surfaces.
* Size – 1 Gallon
* Cost – $31.99
Duration® Exterior Acrylic Latex
Self-priming one-coat performance, provides a thicker, more flexible layer, has more color options on vinyl siding, can be appled directly to wood, stucco, masonry/cement, aluminum, vinyl, and galvanized metal, quickly covers new, unpainted surfaces in just two coats, is available in flat, satin and gloss finishes, and has a lifetime warranty.
* Sizes – 1 Gallon, 5 Gallons
Resilience™ Exterior Acrylic Latex
Formulated with to deliver moisture resistance 50% faster, lets you paint later in the day with less concern about dew or impending rain, has a low VOC formula, enables the application of dark colors on vinyl siding without warping or buckling, available in flat, satin, and gloss, and has a lifetime warranty.
* Sizes – 1 Quart, 1 Gallon, and 5 Gallons
SuperPaint® Exterior Acrylic Latex
Lets you paint darker colors on vinyl siding without warping or buckling, resists peeling, blistering, fading and chalking, can be applied to aluminium, vinyl siding, stucco, masonry and wood surfaces, resistent to cold and frosty or hot and humid temperatures, color retention that lasts, has a low VOC formula, and is available in flat, satin, gloss and high-gloss.
* Sizes – 1 Quart, 1 Gallon, and 5 Gallons
A-100® Exterior Acrylic Latex
100% acrylic formula provides increased hide, improved flow and color retention, has a low VOC formula, covers a wide range of surfaces including primed aluminum, brick, masonry, metal, stucco, vinyl and wood, can be applied in temperatures as low as 35°F, adheres tightly to your house, resisting frost, fading, chalking, dirt and mildew, has a 15-year limited warranty, available in flat, satin and gloss.
* Sizes – 1 Gallon, and 5 Gallons
