When your vinyl siding is beginning to look a little dull, many homeowners will do whatever it takes to give it a necessary refresh. From giving it a good clean by hand to scheduling power washing, there are many ways to give it a fresh, new look. You might even want to paint your old vinyl siding to boost your home’s curb appeal. But is painting your vinyl siding your best option?
At Unlimited Siding, we understand the role your vinyl siding plays in maintaining the curb appeal of your home. However, painting the siding might not be the best decision for your home. If you want to paint your old vinyl siding, keep reading to see what to look out for before you begin this project.
Can You Paint Your Old Vinyl Siding?
If your old vinyl siding is beginning to look a little dull, you might consider painting it to give it a necessary refresh. But is this a reliable option for refreshing your vinyl? While you can paint your old vinyl siding, it might not be the best option for every home. In fact, unless your vinyl siding is in near-perfect condition, painting might not be a good option at all. Before you decide to paint your old vinyl siding, consider the following factors.
Factors to Consider Before Deciding to Paint
1. Your Vinyl Siding Warranty
While you may want to paint your old vinyl siding, this might not be the best option for your home. It is a good idea to double-check any warranties associated with your vinyl siding to see if painting it will void the warranty. If your vinyl siding is still within warranty, you might be able to get any dull sections replaced. Reach out to your trusted vinyl siding professional if you are unsure whether your vinyl siding is still protected by its warranty. This will save you from making a costly mistake and voiding a warranty that can protect your home from any additional damage.
2. Your Home’s Energy Bills
If your home is starting to look a little dull and your energy bill is beginning to go up more and more every month, this might be a sign that you shouldn’t paint your old vinyl siding, and instead get in contact with your trusted vinyl siding professional. Your siding plays a major role in maintaining energy efficiency in your home. When your bills begin to climb, paint won’t be sufficient enough to fill any gaps, and total replacement is a much more reliable option to bring your energy bill down again.
3. Bubbling and Blistering Vinyl
When your vinyl siding is heated up by a grill sitting too close or excessive temperatures outside, it may begin to blister or bubble. Bubbling or blistering may also be a sign that there is water trapped behind your siding. Whether your siding has melted from warm temperatures or there is a crack that is allowing water to build up behind the panels, paint isn’t enough to address the problem. If you spot either of these signs, don’t try to paint your old vinyl siding, and instead contact a professional for replacement.
4. Severe Storm Damage
You should be doing a thorough inspection of your vinyl siding before beginning any restoration projects. During this inspection, you may come across signs of severe storm damage, including cracks, chips, and completely broken panels. If you are dealing with this, it is in your best interest to not paint your old vinyl siding. Severely damaged panels of vinyl siding need to be replaced to protect your home from the development of more damage.
5. Infestation Problems
As you prepare to paint your old vinyl siding, watch for signs of pest infestations in your home. Whether it’s ants and spiders or rats and mice, the presence of pests in your space means they have found a way into your home, and your vinyl siding might be to blame. If your vinyl siding isn’t properly secured, pests can find their way into your home, which can lead to even more damage within the space. Unfortunately, paint can’t block these pests, so it is best to replace your siding instead to keep them out for good.
6. Persistent Mold or Fungus Growth
It isn’t uncommon for fungus or mold to grow on portions of your home that don’t have great ventilation or sun exposure. However, if you have addressed this mold or fungus before and it keeps returning, painting your old vinyl siding won’t be enough to keep it away. If you are dealing with a mold or fungus problem that won’t go away, you might want to get in contact with your vinyl siding expert before you pull out the paint. They can determine if this mold growth is a result of an underlying issue you haven’t caught.
Replace Old Vinyl Siding with Unlimited Siding
If you wanted to paint your old vinyl siding but realized that it needs to be replaced, turn to our experts at Unlimited Siding. With years of experience installing vinyl siding to homes across the Northern Utah area, our team is confident that we can help you find the perfect siding for your home as well. From board and batten to LP SmartSide and everything in between, we’re confident that we have a great siding solution for your home.
In addition to our vinyl siding services, we provide homeowners with soffits and fascia to ensure the exterior of their home is kept safe for years to come. If you are ready to begin a home exterior makeover or would like to speak to our team about the other services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us today.