By Brian Middleton

We get asked all the Time, “Do you Paint Vinyl Siding?”

Until now, there were limitations to painting vinyl siding.  Using a dark color on top of a lighter would cause the substrate to buckle.  Really your only option was to choose the same color or lighter… until now.  

The wrong color can cause warping in parts of your vinyl siding.  The darker the color, the more heat it will absorb.  If too much heat is trapped between the coating of paint and vinyl siding, that is when warping can occur.  Check the Light Reflective Value (LVR) of your colors suitability.  A color’s LVR will give you an idea of how much light a color reflects.  Black, for instance, has an LVR of 0, while white’s LVR is 100.  Vinyl safe colors LVR should be 55% or more.  Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe paint colors are formulated to resist warping or buckling when applied to a sound, stable vinyl substitute.  

Perhaps one of the most important benefits of repainting is the protection it provides.  The latest technologies have been used to develop strong yet flexible paints that will expand and contract with your vinyl, providing the protection it needs from further damage from UV rays.  Also, the underlying layer will be better protected from insects and moisture.  Vinyl siding is one of the most affordable ways to protect your biggest investment.  The biggest issue with it is that it can fade over the years.  Heavy gauge vinyl will last upwards of 50 years with very little maintenance.  However, UV rays will fade it out over time, giving it a dull look that even power washing can’t renew. 

Before you paint, be sure to check the warranty on your siding. Many brands provide a lifetime warranty, but if you alter the vinyl in any way, the warranty is voided, and some manufactures count painting as a form of an alternation.  

To ensure that the new coat of paint lasts for a long time, siding maintenance must be done!  Moisture can erode the paint over time, so it is always a good idea to check your gutters for any leaks.

Now that you know, it’s time to start thinking about what color your want for your exterior paint.