Can Aluminum Siding Be Painted?
There are many differing opinions on how long paint should last on aluminum siding and trim, but one thing is agreed on by just about everyone, Aluminum siding can be painted and has for decades. The fact is many projects we are called on to paint aluminum siding have already been painted prior to our arrival.
How Long Will It Last?
If you paint your aluminum siding, you should expect it to last anywhere from seven to 15 years, depending on the color. Colors that are darker or more pigmented (think red, dark gray, green) will start to fade around the five to seven year mark. White and other light colors last longest and will take about 15 to 18 years before the coating starts to show it's age, however it's a good idea to repaint before the coating fails because your next paint job is only as good as what it's going on top of.
Can I Use Dark Colors?
YES however when painting aluminum siding that has been previously painted you never know how well the underlying coats of paint have been installed, sometimes people take on painting as a DIY project and may not properly prep the surface before starting. This would mean the paint job you are going over is not properly adhered. The coating may not be failing yet but if it gets a color change from a light color to a dark color this could spell trouble.
Lighter colors reflect most of the light keeping them cool, while darker colors absorb light making them hotter, the hotter the surface the more it will expand and contract, this movement will cause partially adhered underlying coats of paint to fail where if they had continued to be painted with a light color no failure would have occurred. We recommend a thorough evaluation of your existing coating before making any drastic color changes.
Isn't It Cheaper To Just Replace It?
Every year, tons and tons of construction waste ends up in landfills all over the planet. While we will always recommend replacing damaged or broken siding we believe that not only is it the eco friendly option, but painting your siding is the budget friendly option as well. You can repaint your house four to six times for the cost of replacing the siding once.
There is no question that painting is much more cost effective, and you can change up the color every time you repaint.