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Painting Aluminum Siding Vs. Replacing With Vinyl Siding

February 7, 2020

Aluminum siding first gained popularity during the 1940s as a durable and easy-to-maintain alternative to traditional wood siding solutions. While durable aluminum shingles may last for decades when correctly maintained, its painted finish can fade over time because of weather, sun exposure and the consequences of oxidation. To restore your home to its former appeal, consider the pros and cons of painting your current aluminum siding with the costs and benefits of vinyl replacement shingles.

Aluminum Siding Overview

Strong and durable aluminum shingles may last 40 years or more in line with the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, but may require painting every five years to 10 years. 1 advantage to iron is the fact that it also takes paint relatively well, making it fairly simple to maintain and even alter the colour of your home. Despite its strength, this substance is vulnerable to dents and dings, which can generally only be eliminated by replacing a section of siding.

Vinyl Siding Overview

Vinyl siding was introduced during the 1950s as a subsititute for aluminum and now holds almost one-third of this market share for new homes in the U.S., in accordance with This Old House. This substance is prized because of its low-maintenance. As a result of shade that is built into the stuff, it never requires painting and won’t show scratches. Vinyl also resists the dents and dings that can negatively affect the look of aluminum siding. Whether you choose a mid century or high-end vinyl flooring product, this product also offers just under a 70 percent return on investment according to MSN.

Price of Painting Aluminum Siding

The price of painting aluminum siding is relatively minimal, however this undertaking can completely change the look of your home. According to Cleveland.com, high excellent exterior paint used on steel siding prices between $35 and $43 per gallon, and each gallon covers 300 to 400 square feet.

How to Paint Siding

If you decide to paint your aluminum shingles, take the opportunity to properly prepare the surface prior to painting. Eliminate and replace dented and damaged bits, then clean the whole surface by means of a pressure washer. The Paint Quality Institute recommends sloping only bare spots or oxidized areas, then painting using a 100-percent acrylic paint at an apartment or satin finish for best results.

Price of New Vinyl Siding

Replacing aluminum siding with vinyl costs much more than a very simple paint job. In late 2011, MSN reported that the typical price of a mid plastic siding replacement job at $11,279. The same report lists the normal price of a premium vinyl siding replacement job at $14,274. This Old House estimates that a mid plastic siding product costs about $1.60 per square foot installed, with the expense of premium vinyl siding around 2.5 times greater.

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