The Number One Reason To Avoid Painting Vinyl Siding

Although it might look dingy, think again before you decide to paint your home's vinyl siding. Why? In your quest to give your home's siding a makeover, you might unknowingly cause various issues in its performance, appearance, and longevity, plus make it harder for you to get a replacement in case of damage. Darker colors often aren't good for siding because they absorb more heat, which puts increased pressure on your siding, potentially leading to warping. 

Vinyl siding can be difficult to paint if it features an overlap, as the panels lie partially on top of one another as a guard against rain and snow. The overlap also helps accommodate thermal expansion as the weather shifts from warmer to cooler. Paint also can't adhere very well to vinyl siding, and may chip or crack, meaning you have to paint it again. Resulting damage from the paint can increase the likelihood of pests getting into the siding and, depending on the maker, may cause it to fail. One of the biggest drawbacks, however, with painting vinyl siding is the way it affects your siding's warranty. This temporary fix to easily change the appearance of your home's exterior may end up costing you more than a few buckets of paint in case of damage, as you may end up replacing your siding yourself after voiding your warranty, and here's why.

Most siding products come with a manufacturer's warranty, and they can typically be found on the manufacturer's website if you lose the original product paperwork. Each warranty is a guarantee about the quality of a siding product, and a promise to replace it in case of defect. However, in many warranties, painting can be an "unauthorized modification," which is a risky mistake that renders your warranty null and void. This means that any siding repairs or replacements you need won't be covered by the manufacturer if you paint the product. Sample language for this stipulation might include text such as: "The Warranty does not apply to Products that have been painted, varnished, or similarly coated over the manufacturer's original finish unless coating is authorized by [Company] pursuant to this Warranty."

Warranties vary by manufacturer. Duration for a vinyl siding warranty can range from 50 years to a lifetime, or something in between. It's very important to look at all the terms and conditions of your warranty before attempting to paint your siding, especially if you recently bought a home with siding. Sometimes the warranty can even transfer from homeowners upon the sale of a home, which is something to consider if you recently bought a new property. A common transferred warranty may be a "Fifty (50) Year, Limited Non-Prorated Warranty," but the 50 years extends from the original installation, and not the date of your home purchase.