Can You Paint Your Exterior Siding?

Over the past few decades, the trend for homes with exterior siding that needed refreshing was to put up & cover it with some of the same, or a different kind of siding. It is an easy quick solution to a dingy exterior. And when completed, it looks like a brand new home.

But what happens when the siding you used starts to look dirty and dingy? This ultimately happens to all homes, but you can’t just keep putting more siding on top of siding every time your home’s exterior starts to show wear.

So now what? Call CertaPro!

Here are Some Answers to All Your Exterior Siding Painting Questions:

Sometimes the exterior of your property, such as a home or commercial building, may require painting due to wear and tear. Specific siding types work best with certain paints. These types of paints also vary within brands and products. For example, some brands offer more durability on different surfaces than others. It is vital to choose the best paint for the siding that you are painting.

Some of the most common sidings are cedar, vinyl, wood, and aluminum. Each one requires a different type of paint to keep it looking its best at all times.

How to Choose the Right Exterior Siding Painting Company

One of the most important aspects when choosing a professional painting company is their experience level. Before hiring, ask for company references and examples of previous work that they have done. Your local CertaPro Painters have the expertise you are looking for if you have a siding painting project that needs to be completed. You can Google or look online or look up our reviews compared to other painting companies. It is always a good idea to check out the reviews and ratings about several different painting companies online.

If you find a company (like CertaPro Painters) with great reviews, then they are most likely experienced and offering quality services.

To Paint or Not to Paint? That is the Question.

The answer lies in the type of exterior siding you have on your home. Some sidings can not be painted due to their structure and composition. For example, You cannot paint aluminum siding because they rust when exposed to water.

Below is a list of the most commonly used exterior siding and the proper paint to use with them.

Cedar Siding Paint
Cedar siding is prone to wear and tear over time because it’s made up of multiple layers, so it will need to be reapplied frequently. The good news is if your home features cedar siding, then you’ll be able to enjoy colors beyond white due to more outstanding durability offered by acrylic paints. This paint is also recommended for exterior use by manufacturers. These paints are available in tinted shades, meaning you can enhance your siding look with different hues. Acrylic paints are also easy to clean and maintain. So, they help extend the life of your cedar siding.

Vinyl Siding Paint
There are different types of paint for vinyl siding. One of the best types is alkyd (oil based) exterior paint. The reason it’s such an excellent choice for vinyl siding is that it offers flexibility and resistance to cracking. Another good choice is latex paint, which has similar qualities but costs less, so it’s a good option if you’re on a tighter budget. If you find small cracks in your vinyl siding, use a crack filler to repair them prior to painting your siding.

Wood Siding Paint
Sometimes wood needs more than just paint. It is common for wood siding to need an exterior wood treatment before applying paint to maintain quality and appearance. One of the best brands to use is Thompson’s water seal. There are also other options available by name-brand manufacturers like Behr or Sherwin Williams. If you want to paint wood siding, then acrylic or latex exterior paints will probably work best.

However, some experts advise that in areas with a lot of high humidity, then oil-based exterior paints may be more suitable for your wood siding.

Aluminum Siding Paint
Aluminum siding doesn’t require much maintenance at all. But be aware, there are some features you should learn about. For example, aluminum siding is prone to corrosion, especially when it’s attached directly to a wooden wall. If this applies in your case, then use a paint that has a rust-inhibiting primer as well as a finish coat to prevent the siding from deteriorating.

You want to be sure you’re choosing the right paint, so you may consider getting a sample and testing it out on your siding first.

Tips & Warnings
If you find lots of holes and cracks on your siding, use a good exterior filler to keep it looking more uniform. While the best paint for your siding will depend on personal preference, siding type, and your budget. You should know some paint manufacturers offer more durable paint than others. Make your decision based on your requirements, including cost, color options available, and how long you want the product to last. Don’t expect your siding or your painted siding to last forever.

However, you can make it last as long as possible by faithfully following the maintenance suggestions your painting company suggests. In summary, the most common sidings that you can paint are cedar, vinyl siding, wood siding, and aluminum siding. No matter on where you live, you will definitely want to use specific exterior paint for your exterior painting needs.

At your local CertaPro Painters, you should expect nothing less than an excellent finished product. At CertaPro, we are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information, excellent customer service & an amazing finished product.

For more information on siding painting, or any other type of interior or exterior painting project, please don’t hesitate to contact your CertaPro Painters of Aurora/Oswego at 331-725-6494  or go online to request an estimate today.