Painting Aluminum Siding Can Save You Thousands

Blog last updated: January, 2021

Aluminum siding on your house is great. It is waterproof, doesn’t rot and is corrosion-resistant. It can literally last forever! However, the same cannot be said about the paint that makes it look good. Weather and time will beat up the paint on your aluminum siding making it fade, chalk and wear right down to the aluminum. Your once new looking home is now a faded eyesore of its former self bringing down with it your curb appeal and property value.

Since no amount of scrubbing and cleaning can bring the colour back to life, some contractors in Toronto will simply recommend replacing it all with new siding. Guess what that costs though? There are other options, such as painting aluminum siding. Let’s explore that a little more!

Excellent Aluminum Siding Transformation

Can I paint over aluminum siding?

The answer is YES! Instead of spending thousands of dollars, you can repaint your existing siding for a fraction of the cost and bring back that new home look and feel.

Painting aluminum siding, however, is much more complex than painting a room in your home. Here’s why it’s critical to hire a professional painter if you’re not prepared and educated to do it yourself.

Steps needed for painting aluminum siding properly

• Damage must be repaired. Dents and warped pieces need to be replaced without damaging the surrounding area. Any sagging and separation, especially where the roof meets the wall, should also be inspected.
• All surfaces must be cleaned or power washed. Depending on how dirty your aluminum siding is, you don’t want any dirt, grease, mold, mildew or bird droppings before you paint. It will compromise the life of your paint. A strong power washer is needed and the spray needs to shoot down the way the rain hits the house to avoid damage.
• Fill in the holes. Aluminum flexes with temperature so you need a quality paintable caulking. If there are cracks or aluminum siding joints, an exterior caulking can be used to avoid leaking inside your aluminum siding.

More important steps to take…

• But first you must prime. Here you’ll want an exterior primer made for exterior aluminum siding. There are good 2 and 1 paint and primers which also work well for painting aluminum siding. But try to find the best paint for aluminum siding painting.
• Then comes the paint. You only want to use 100% acrylic exterior paint. You many need one to two coats depending on the colour and condition. There are several ways to apply the paint over your exterior aluminum sidings. Rollers and brushes are the most common ways. Of course, you don’t need to be an expert to realize that this will take a LONG time. Spraying is another way to apply the paint. However, using spray paint for aluminum needs some prerequisites. One of them for using a sprayer on the exterior are good non windy weather conditions, and being far away enough from neighbours or other items that can be hit with paint.
• Stop if it’s too hot. Never paint in direct sunlight as hot aluminum will gum up the paint. This is why speed, efficiency and planning are critical to achieve that perfect finish.

What about paint colour? 

If you’ve decided to go the route of aluminum siding painting then of course you need to choose a colour! That can often be no easy feat. The exterior of your home makes such a huge impression. You want it looking unique while still blending in with your neighborhood and its overall aesthetic. Choosing the right exterior painting colours is a big part of that.

Some of the top colours of the season when it comes to siding is gray. People really love going gray with their exterior painting on their homes because it’s modern while still remaining timeless. Check out Tyler Gray for a soft mid-tone gray. It looks great against white trim or even a nice muted black, like Black Satin. Another popular choice for 2021 is blue. Think blues like Blue Echo as they’re almost on their way to green, but still cool and sophisticated. Lastly, an option that might surprise you for exterior painting this season is green. Think about taking inspiration from nature and tranquil greens like Richmond Green.

Aluminum siding Projects by Home Painters Toronto

What about other types of siding? 

Of course, there are other types of siding to consider as well. You might have wood siding, which you can stain or paint. Especially if you have cedar wood siding or redwood, both are extremely porous and stain quite nicely. If you want the true beauty of the wood to shine through, always consider a semi-transparent wood stain.

For those who have vinyl siding, they actually have to stop and ask themselves — can I paint it? The answer is yes. If you do the correct prep work and use the right paint, you can certainly paint this type of siding. The only thing you need to watch out for is with the super dark exterior painting colours on vinyl siding. They can warp over time, so just make sure you take the time to pick your colour carefully and do the proper prep work involved.

More interesting blogs related to ” Painting Aluminum Siding Can Save You Thousands “:

• How To Repair Rotted Wood Siding Or Replace It

• Top Colours For Exterior Brick Paint and Stain

• Deck Painting: Backyard Beach Inspiration

If you’re ready to do some exterior painting, let our pro painters help! Home Painters Toronto has over 30 years of experience in home painting and renovation services. Call 416.494.9095 or email brian@HomePaintersToronto.com for a FREE quote. And don’t forget to follow us on our social media channels as well!