If you’ve deemed a refreshing coat of paint on your home’s exterior, figuring out exactly where to get started is 50 % the battle. No matter whether your property has natural wood, aluminum, vinyl, or hardie board (fiber cement) siding, every sort of material calls for a diverse method when it arrives to painting.
So, can you paint siding? The most very simple answer is certainly, but respecting the content with the appropriate planning, instruments and paint will be certain the finished solution arrives out searching spectacular.
Examine on to discover out how to tactic painting just about every form of siding.
Painting Pure Wood Siding
If you've decided to refresh your home's exterior with a new coat of paint, understanding where to start is half the battle. Whether your home has natural wood, aluminium, vinyl, or Hardie Board siding, each material requires a different approach when it comes to painting.
Can You Paint Siding?
The short answer is yes, but choosing the right preparation, tools, and paint for your specific siding material will ensure a spectacular finish. Let's explore how to approach painting each type of siding.
Painting Natural Wood Siding
Due to its natural elements, this type of siding requires protection. Regular maintenance of your natural wood siding will help your home stay in good condition and look beautiful.
A great way to maintain the integrity of your natural wood siding is to refresh its paint. Here's a brief overview of how to paint natural wood siding:
Inspect Your Siding: Check for flaking, peeling, exposed seams, or rotting wood. These issues need to be addressed before you start painting.
Scrape and Sand Loose Paint: After laying down drop cloths, use a paint scraper to remove any flaking or peeling paint for a smooth finish. Then, use a sander, starting with a coarse abrasive and finishing with a fine-grit abrasive, to smooth the edges between painted and scraped areas. Failing to properly prepare your natural wood siding before painting can result in uneven coverage or additional peeling. Additionally, painting over wood with high moisture content will not stop the deterioration process and should be replaced.
Prime the Wood: Clean the surface of the wood before painting. Ideally, use a pressure washer to blast away any dirt or remaining paint chips, starting from the bottom to top to avoid staining. Be cautious not to get water behind the siding, as this can cause moisture problems inside your home. Allow it to dry for two or three days before starting to paint.
Paint: We recommend applying a primer/sealer before painting your base colour to ensure the paint bonds effectively to the wood. Once that coat dries completely, apply your paint colour! Starting from the top and working down, ensure you apply paint evenly to avoid visible markings as it dries.
Painting Aluminum Siding
A popular choice since World War II, aluminium requires minimal maintenance and offers excellent insulation and temperature protection properties.
While an affordable and durable material, it's prone to dents and fading paint. A fresh coat of paint will keep your aluminium-clad home sparkling!
Prepare the Surface: Inspect the aluminium siding and scrape off any peeling or flaking paint, as well as old caulk lines. Scrub away any mildew and grime with warm, soapy water. Alternatively, using a power washer can speed up this process. However, be careful not to get water behind the aluminium siding. Let it dry for two or three days before starting to paint. Without thorough preparation, the paint finish may bubble up, peel, or fade faster than intended, leading to additional painting work.
Prime the Surface: A galvanized steel etching primer will provide the best results when painting your aluminium siding. Use a synthetic polyester paintbrush to cover the entire surface area and let it cure for at least four hours.
Paint: Using 100% acrylic exterior paint, use a brush to paint the edges first before loading your paint roller. Roll in the direction the siding is oriented (side to side if horizontal, up and down if vertical), working your way from the top to the bottom. Let the paint dry for at least two hours before applying another coat.
Painting Vinyl Siding
By far the most popular siding material for home exteriors, vinyl is considered maintenance-free and doesn't typically require painting due to the colour being blended into the material. However, vinyl siding can lose its lustre over time, or you may be seeking a facelift for your home.
Whatever the reason, you can paint vinyl siding. However, it's important to remember that your vinyl siding will no longer be as maintenance-free as the paint itself.
It's also essential to check if painting your vinyl siding voids any manufacturer warranties that may still be in effect.
Clean the Vinyl: Rinse your siding with water. Then, with a cleaning solution, scrub away grime, grease, and debris, working from the bottom to the top. Avoid getting water behind the siding to prevent costly moisture problems. Ensure it dries completely before moving to the next step.
Prime (Optional): Vinyl siding doesn't require a primer, but it won't hurt to use one, especially if your siding has deteriorated or withstood extreme weathering. Let the primer dry completely.
Paint: Apply an even coat of exterior paint, using the same method you used when priming. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a recommended second coat.
Painting Hardie Board Siding
Hardie Board, also known as fibre cement siding, is a composite material made of concrete substrate. Significantly heavier than its counterparts, it's exceptionally durable and doesn't typically require a paint refresh for up to 20 years.
Painting Hardie Board is not only possible but it's recommended to prolong its longevity and maintain your home's appearance.
Thoroughly Clean: Use a garden hose or pressure washer to spray away any dirt, grime, grease, and dust. Start at your roofline and work your way down.
Prime: If you're working with brand-new Hardie Board siding, determine whether it's Prefinished, Factory Primed, or Unprimed. If your siding is Unprimed, you'll need to apply an exterior-grade acrylic latex primer before starting to paint. If you have a Prefinished or Factory Primed Hardie Board, you can skip this step.
Paint: Hardie Board is an exceptionally easy material to paint. However, regardless of the method you use (brush, roller, sprayer, etc.), you'll need to apply two coats of paint to achieve the best finish.
Conclusion
As you can see, it's possible to paint any type of siding. The main factors to consider are the time investment, equipment, and expertise required, which can turn a weekend project into a more costly overhaul.
Consider contacting Pro Decor Painters® to handle your exterior painting needs! Get in touch with us now to schedule a consultation.
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