What To Deal With When Painting Different Siding Types

One of the most noticeable parts of your home and the part taking the most abuse from external elements is your siding. Over years of exposure to hot sun, muggy moisture and powerful winds your siding may have begun to lose some of its color, shape and durability. If this is the case for your home, then perhaps it is time to consider doing some maintenance to your home exterior. No matter the type of material used on your siding, a fresh coat of paint can make a huge improvement to the looks as well as durability of your home. But before you bust out your paint brush and coveralls, there are some important things to consider in order to make this project a success.

Wood

Wood siding can be one of the most complicated painting projects you’ll face when looking to freshen up your home. A good paint job will withstand years of harsh elements such as extreme heat and periods of extended rain and moisture. Because of this, the process of painting wood siding really isn’t as simple as busting out your paint brush or roller and slapping on a fresh coat of paint. The last thing you want is to see your brand new paint job begin to crack or peel within a few seasons. Or worse yet, improperly sealed wood will let moisture into your siding, resulting in rot and turning into a much more complicated problem down the line. When working with wood siding, the real magic that will result in a long lasting beautiful paint job comes in during the prep work – pressure washing, scraping and sanding. Doing this step is crucial to the longevity of your paint job as paint needs a very clean surface for maximum adhesion. Next, you will need to put on a generous coat of primer in order to cover up the original color, seal in the wood against moisture and prevent your wood from soaking up a lot of unnecessary liters of paint. Skipping this step can result in a lot of extra costs later on. Once these steps have been done it is finally time to add color and start painting. Following this process will lead to a beautiful, long lasting paint job that will make your home the envy of your neighbors for years.

Stucco/Steel

If your home has stucco siding the process of painting, while similar, is a lot more simple compared to wood. Stucco is made up of powdered cement or limestone, mixed with sand and water. This is what creates the depth and texture on your home’s exterior. As long as your stucco siding is in good condition, prepping for paint will be minimal. You will need to remove the dust and dirt from the surface of your stucco siding, caulk any minor hairline cracks (wait 7-10 days for it to cure) and then you are set to apply a coat of exterior masonry primer. Once you’ve done this you are ready to paint! However, if you’re beginning to see larger holes and the wire mesh underneath then it is time for a more serious repair. For an inexperienced homeowner, applying stucco can be tricky, you may find it difficult to create a patch that blends in perfectly with the rest of the wall. So if you’re not comfortable with this kind of repair then it may be time to contact a local professional.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular, budget-friendly choices for home exteriors. It requires little maintenance compared to other siding materials and new manufacturing advances have led to many improvements in materials over the years. However, vinyl is not invincible, so if your siding is beginning to look like it’s in need of some attention you may be wondering if you should paint it or replace it. Rest assured, your faded or worn siding can be saved with a fresh coat of paint! But there are some important considerations when thinking about painting your vinyl siding. If you want your new paint job to last you absolutely must wait for the ideal weather conditions to tackle this project. Mild temperatures with low humidity on an overcast day are the most suitable weather. If it is too windy, too hot or too sunny your paint will not adhere properly and will be prone to cracking and flaking. As with other siding, you will need to thoroughly clean your siding to ensure you’ve removed all the mold, mildew, debris and any chalky buildup on it. Once you’ve done this, it is highly recommended that you put on a base coat of all purpose or latex primer. While this step is not always necessary, it will ensure a lasting paint job. Finally, you are ready for paint. Painting vinyl siding requires a latex urethane paint specially formulated for exterior use. Your paint must contain acrylic and urethane resins. These ingredients will ensure that the paint sticks when your vinyl expands and contracts with temperature changes.

No matter the material of your siding, your home will look much better with a fresh coat of paint. Not only will this raise the value of your property but will also help you appreciate your home every time you come and go about your life. Taking the time to prepare, prime and paint your siding properly is critical to ensuring your paint job lasts many long years and protects your siding against the harsh external elements that can cause damage resulting in much higher costs of repair.