While aluminum siding has a rightly-earned reputation for being durable and easy to maintain, over time, its aesthetic appeal eventually fades. It usually starts to develop a chalked or faded look. And when this happens, it is natural to wonder whether painting aluminum siding is an option that is available to you.
Yes, you can paint aluminum siding as a way of restoring its aesthetic appeal. Provided you use acrylic latex paint, you should be able to arm your siding with a lasting coat of paint that will give the siding an extra layer of protection. Doing so will also allow you to get a fresh look without having to spend a lot of money.
If you are thinking of giving your aluminum sidings a new and fresh look through painting, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Here is what you should know about how to paint aluminum sidings, how much it costs, and whether there are any benefits of doing so.
It is a good idea to paint aluminum siding if it is showing signs of wear and tear. This is so especially if you don’t have the money to completely replace the sidings. Painting is a low-cost option that is usually enough to restore the appearance of sidings that have developed a faded and chalky look.
Painting is also a great option if your sidings are still in great shape and all you want to do is get it to match the decor of your home. In such a case, completely replacing the sidings will be financially imprudent. This is because a fresh lick of paint will give you results that are just as good.
If you are a homeowner and want to sell your home, giving your home’s siding a new coat of paint will increase its curb appeal. As a result, it is a low-cost option for boosting your home’s value. And from a business stand-point, it is a more sound strategy when compared to doing a replacement.
However, if your sidings have visible dents or tears, then no amount of paint can restore their looks. The painting will also be a bad idea if you are dealing with structurally compromised siding. In both of these cases, replacing the siding makes much more sense.
How to repaint aluminum siding
The goal of painting your siding isn’t just to get it to look great, but also to end up with lasting paintwork. In order to get great results, there are a few steps that you have to follow.
Step 1: Preparing aluminum siding for paint
The aim of preparing the aluminum siding is to ensure that it is as clean as possible. This achieves two goals. It ensures that the paint coat lasts longer because it has a stable base on which to stick to. It also eliminates ugly pumps and dents that may result from having dirt, debris, and chalking paint.
Start the prepping process by scraping off any paint that is already peeling off. A good paint scraping tool will help to make this process easier.
After you are done, get a scrub brush and start scrubbing. This will help to get rid of the chalking residue. And if a brush does not get the job done, then get an 80 grit sandpaper and sand the chalk off the surface.
The next step is to then wash the surface. A good power washer that can easily be rented from a local store, will be great for this stage. Simply use it to blast any residue, dirt, or loose material that may still be on the surface of your siding. Use a hose to rinse it and then give it time to air-dry. And while it is drying, collect and prepare your painting tools and materials.
Step 2: Gather your tools and materials
Paint – To get the best results, you need the right type of paint. And as far as aluminum siding is concerned, no type of paint works as great as acrylic latex paint.
Brush or Sprayer? – Using a sprayer is ideal in most cases because it allows for thinner and even coats, is generally faster, and it will allow you to reach hard-to-reach crevices and corners without a problem. Therefore, if you already have a sprayer or can easily rent one from a local store, then you should use it.
However, if you have a brush and accompanying accessories, then opting for using a brush may make more sense. While it may take you longer, and while you may struggle to reach some corners or crevices, it can still be a more convenient option for you. This is because you won’t have to worry about accidental spray bleeds, or having to spend money to rent out extra equipment.
Primer – Using a primer will help to hide any blemishes on the siding. It will also improve the durability of the paintwork. And using it will also do away with the need to apply multiple coats as it will enhance the look of the upper coat paint.
Therefore, using the right primer on your siding will improve the adhesion of the upper coat. And in the case of aluminum siding, the best type of primer that you should use is an acrylic primer.
Masking tape and drop cloths – These will come in handy in preventing accidental overspray and over bleed of paint.
Step 3: Cover and mask
With your materials ready, it is now time to ensure that adjacent fixtures, items, and plants are protected from paint. Simply use masking tape to cover your windows with plastic. Grass, flower beds, sidewalks, and other fixtures can be covered with a mix of polyethylene and drop cloths.
Step 4: Apply the primer and start painting
With all of the above steps completed, you are now free to start painting. Start with the primer, give it time to dry, and then follow it with the first coat of paint. After some time, follow this coat with another one.
The one thing that you should keep in mind when the painting is to always paint horizontally or vertically depending on the direction of the painting. Up and down painting is thus recommended to vertical flowing sidings and side-to-side painting for sidings that run horizontally.
Best kind of paint for aluminum siding
Acrylic latex paint is the best kind of paint for aluminum siding. This is because it sticks to the surface best, and as a result, increasing the odds of ending up with a lasting paint job.
How long does paint last on aluminum siding?
Generally, a good aluminum siding paintwork should last for at least 5 years. In some cases, it can last up to 10 years. However, the longevity of the paint depends largely on the type of paint that one uses, the environment to which the sidings are exposed, and the technique used to apply the paint.
Is it cheaper to paint or replace aluminum siding?
It is cheaper to paint aluminum siding. This is because when compared to the cost of buying aluminum siding, the cost of good-quality acrylic latex paint is almost negligible. And while opting for repainting as a way to refresh your siding’s looks may mean having to do it several times over the lifespan of the sidings, it is still cheaper.
This is so especially when you consider the fact that properly applied aluminum siding paint can last between 5years to 10 years. You may not have to repaint that often, and so while the maintenance costs may add up, the painting will still be a low-cost option even in the long run.
| Repainting cost | Replacement cost | |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $5,730 | $14,500 |
| The average cost per square feet | $1.50 to $2.50 | $4.50 to $10.50 (including installation costs) |
| Lowest cost | $3,125 | $10,000 |
| Highest cost | $8, 300 | $19,000 |
Can you power wash aluminum siding?
Yes, you can powerwash aluminum siding. However, for effective cleaning, you will need to rely on more than your powerwasher.
To effectively clean your aluminum siding by power washing it, start by first spraying the siding with water. Use a hose to do this. Doing so will loosen dirt and debris, making it easier to dislodge with the pressure water.
After a while, use a spray bottle to apply a cleaner on the damp sidings. Take a brush, and then start scrubbing to remove any stains, dirt, and debris that is on the sidings.
And once you are done, it is now time to take the pressure washer and use it to get rid of any dirt and debris on the sidings.
Which is cheaper, vinyl or aluminum siding?
Generally, aluminum siding is cheaper than vinyl siding. However, what one actually ends up paying largely depends on the type of vinyl and the type of aluminum material that one ends up choosing. This is because there are high-end and low-cost versions of both materials.
| Aluminum siding | Vinyl siding | |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost per square foot of material | $3.49 | $7.50 |
| Average range of cost of materials per square foot | $2 to $5 | $3 -$12 |
| High end cost per square foot | $6 to $30 | $4 to $12 |
| Low-end cost per square foot | $1 to $5 | $3 to $5 |
| Installation costs per square foot | $2.50 to $5.50 | $2.15 to $5.25 |
Using qualified contractors for your project
If you don’t have the time, patience, or skill to paint or replace your sidings, you should use HomeGardenGuides.com. It offers a free service that quickly matches you with the top-voted local expert home remodeling contractors.
Using the website, you can get 3 estimates fast by real certified experts in your area in just 2 minutes. Here is how it works.
- You scroll to the top of the page and enter your Zip code.
- Answer questions about your painting or aluminum replacement project
- Your details will be forwarded to three local experts.
- You will then receive a price estimate for the job and some friendly advice.
IMPORTANT: There is no obligation to hire. This is a free tool and service to be used at your pleasure.
Generally, painting is a great short-term way of refreshing the appearance of your sidings. However, if the sidings have significant dents and have been compromised structurally, replacing them is usually the only option.
