Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?

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can you paint vinyl siding

Your home has vinyl siding, and it’s still in great shape. There are no holes or gaps, and you think you can get several more years out of it.

But there’s one thing that’s bugging you: It isn’t the right color.

Whether you’ve got boring neutral siding and want something a little more bold, or the previous owners went a little too wild with their imaginations and you want to tone it down a little, you may be wondering if there’s hope for your unfortunately colored vinyl siding.

Good news! You can paint your vinyl siding with some preparation and know-how.

Before You Paint

Hold off on getting out all those brushes and paint cans; there are a few things you need to keep in mind when preparing to paint your vinyl siding.

Check Your Warranty

Before you paint your vinyl siding, check the warranty. 

If the warranty is still active, confirm that painting your siding won’t void the warranty. If it will, you may want to wait and save up to replace the siding.

For warranties that do permit painting, be sure that you follow all the manufacturer’s stipulations for type and color of paint to use. Using the wrong products, even if painting is allowed, will still void the warranty and leave you out of luck if you find a defect.

If the warranty isn’t active, you’re good to go!

Using Primer

Whether or not you use primer depends greatly on who you talk to about painting your siding.

Some people recommend using primer all the time, while others recommend it only in cases where the siding is pitted or shows signs of other deterioration.

A good rule of thumb is to follow the recommendations of your paint manufacturer regarding primer. If primer is recommended on the can for your colored paint, then you probably should use it.

Just remember that paint sticks to the layer beneath it, so be sure any primer you use is formulated so your paint will stick to it.

Expect Expansion

Your siding takes a beating, and you need to make sure the paint you choose is up to the job.

Vinyl siding is manufactured to expand and contract with the weather conditions. This may mean you’ll see a gap in your paint colors at the seams during colder weather.

Choose Color Carefully

Vinyl siding is created to absorb a certain amount of heat. Because of this, you shouldn’t choose a paint color that’s darker than the color of your current siding. If you do, you run the risk that the siding will become too hot and crack.

How to Paint Vinyl Siding

Painting vinyl siding is a big job, but it’s not something that’s insurmountable as long as you’re prepared. 

Here are the steps you need to follow to paint your vinyl siding:

Gather Materials

To paint your vinyl siding, you will need:

  • Garden hose with spray nozzle
  • Bucket
  • Powdered laundry detergent
  • General-purpose cleaning powder
  • Oxygen bleach
  • Soft-bristle brush, sponges, or rags
  • Painter’s tape
  • Masking material
  • Paint roller with ½-inch nap roller covers or spray paint equipment
  • Paintbrushes

Mix the Cleaner

In your bucket, mix a cleaning solution of ⅓ cup powdered detergent, ⅔ cup cleaning powder, and ⅔ cup oxygen bleach for each gallon of water.

Clean the Siding

Begin by rinsing your siding with the hose with spray nozzle. This removes any loose dirt and debris.

Next, gently scrub the siding with your cleaner and a soft-bristle brush, sponge, or rag. Work in small sections from the bottom up, thoroughly rinsing each section as you finish.

Hand-scrubbing is much more effective than power-washing, getting your siding better prepared for the new layers of paint.

Allow the siding to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Mask off Trim, Doors, & Windows

Using your painter’s tape and masking material, cover any areas you don’t want painted or where you wouldn’t want accidental paint drips. This includes doors, windows, trim, and any hardware.

Prime Siding

If you’re using a primer, carefully apply it to the siding using your roller, paint sprayer, or brush.

For roller or paint sprayer applications, always backbrush, meaning you follow up the roller or sprayer application with a brush to smooth out the surface and remove drips or heavy application.

Allow the primer to dry per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Apply Paint

Paint your siding using the same technique you used for painting, applying an even coat to the siding. Allow the paint to dry per the manufacturer’s instructions, then apply a second coat.

Clean up the Painting Site

Once the paint has dried, remove all masking materials and make any touch-ups that may be necessary.

Professional Vinyl Siding Installation in MD

At Select Home Exteriors, we realize your home is your biggest asset. That’s why we work hard to help you keep it in the best shape possible, whether you plan to live there for years or are preparing to sell. Our professional siding installers make quick work of your siding installation project, taking exceptional care in everything we do. Schedule your free siding consultation today!

4 Exterior Home Renovation Projects That Pay Off When You Sell

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4 Exterior Home Renovation Projects That Pay Off When You Sell

When deciding to renovate your home, thinking about what the project will do for your experience living there is likely foremost in your mind. As you decide which projects to tackle, you may wonder which are the most likely to be most profitable if you eventually decide to sell your home. Although you may not be thinking about selling now, it’s wise to consider the most impactful projects for your budget, especially if you’re limited on what you can spend.

Here are 4 exterior home renovation projects that are likely to net you the most profit when selling your home:

Adding a Deck

A well-constructed deck adds extra entertaining and living space, as well as curb appeal, to any home. Prospective buyers will be able to imagine having backyard barbecues, relaxing with a cup of coffee, or watching their children play when they see a deck in your backyard.

Opt for pressure-treated wood or hardwood whenever possible, as these materials add an extra air of sophistication to your deck that other materials don’t. Small or large doesn’t really matter much, but if you’ve got a smaller yard be sure not to create a deck that’s too oversized for the space.

Landscaping

There’s no better way to boost your home’s curb appeal than by making the yard as inviting as possible. Although landscaping can be done yourself, if you’re seriously thinking of selling or your yard is in rough shape, it may be worth the money to hire a professional team.

Making sure all your trees and shrubs are trimmed up, walkways are clear and in good condition, and that there’s aesthetically pleasing color surrounding your house can go a long way toward getting people to take a second lap around the block when you put up that For Sale sign.

Replace Siding

This is especially true if your siding is old, in poor repair, or a difficult-to-care-for material such as wood. New siding gives the entire exterior of your home a facelift, and potential buyers love seeing notes that the siding recently was replaced on your disclosure sheets or listings.

Be sure to choose a siding type and color that fits in with the rest of your neighbors, as the home on the block that doesn’t look similar enough can be a drawback for some buyers.

New Windows

This project will reap benefits for your family as well as any future selling opportunities. When you replace old windows that aren’t in the best shape, your energy bills decrease, saving you money. They add to your home’s curb appeal and are another project that potential buyers will be happy to see listed as a “recent update” on your listing.

Experienced Exterior Home Contractors in Central Maryland

At Select Home Exteriors, we know you want to get the most for your money when you decide to do a home renovation project. Our team works with you every step of the way, making sure each choice falls in line with your budget, your style, and your needs for your home. Schedule a consultation today!

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Siding for Your Home

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5 Tips for Choosing the Right Siding for Your Home- Select Home Exteriors MD

When you invest in new siding, you want it to enhance your home and property, provide protection, and have a long life span. This can be quite the project, but here are five tips to get this process started:

Know your Options

One of the best ways you can begin your home siding project is by learning more about your options. With siding today, there are many options to choose from including vinyl, plastic, brick, fiber cement, stone, aluminum, and stucco.

Vinyl is a leading material in siding and brings together reliability, convenience, and price, but some may dislike the seams or appearance created. Wood siding is durable and creates a nice, traditional and interesting look, but requires more maintenance to remain durable and is more expensive. Brick and stone are some of the toughest materials, resisting rotting and insects, but are also priced much higher. Knowing the pros, cons, and pricing of each siding type can help you gauge what will work best for you and your home’s exterior.

Gather Design Ideas

Your home’s siding is one of the first things visitors see. Along with your roof, gutters, yard, and even your front door, siding plays a large role in creating excellent curb appeal. Spending some time picking the right color and design for your siding is important.

Looking around online can give you an idea of what you want, but driving around your neighborhood and surrounding area to personally see what others have done lets you see things in person and make sure that your choices fit in with the rest of your area.

Consider the Weather

Since your siding protects your home from the elements, taking the climate you live in into consideration is important. Consider which options are best suited for your environment, whether that be high temperatures, freezing temperatures, high humidity and lots of rain, or intense sun. Siding options with more insulation or UV protection can help ensure your home is equipped to take on the weather.

Get a Second Opinion

Ask a professional home designer or siding contractor for his experienced advice or even ask family and friends to bring fresh eyes to your many choices. Looking at all your choices, while attempting to take your existing roof, gutters, trim, windows, and shutter color into consideration when choosing siding can become overwhelming. Seeking other input can help you feel confident with your final decision.

Choose a Good Contractor

To get the right siding, find the right contractor. Choose a contractor who is licensed and insured with referrals and references, so you know your project will be done with the proper care and quality. It’s important to use high-quality materials and services to know your siding will be installed correctly, to avoid serious destructive issues with your siding and home’s structure.

Experienced Siding Installation in Central Maryland

For more than 20 years, Select Home Exteriors has provided exceptional siding repair and installation to residents in Frederick County, Maryland, and the surrounding areas. We use only the highest quality materials available, giving you siding that will last. Schedule your home siding consultation today!

vinyl siding replacement frederick md

Easy Care & Maintenance for Your Vinyl Siding

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vinyl siding replacement frederick md
Vinyl siding is known as an easy-to-care-for housing material, especially compared to wood and some other materials. While it is much more low-maintenance, there are a few steps you can take to make sure your siding remains looking as good as the day you installed it.

Cleaning Tips

Your vinyl siding is so low-maintenance that it only requires occasional cleaning with mild soap and the water from your garden hose! Use a soft bristle brush or a soft cloth; the bristle brush will be best for textured siding to that the grooves remain stain-free.

If you think you want to use a power washer, check the instructions on your washer and the siding manufacturer’s instructions first. If the manufacturer gives the OK, make sure you aim the power washer straight at the top of the siding. Aiming upwards could cause the water to be forcefully driven behind the siding.

Mold or mildew may appear on your siding; luckily, there are easy ways to clean that off. For a small spot, using a cleaner such as Windex will do the trick. If the mold or mildew is more widespread, you can make a solution yourself. Mix 30% vinegar with 70% water and use that for the large affected area.

General Maintenance

After awhile, your siding may become discolored. To prevent this, you’ll want to make sure you cover the siding while you do any home renovations and when you apply certain insecticides and herbicides. Check the labels of any chemicals you use around your home. They should mention if they will have any negative effects on your siding.

Never have any open flames around your siding. Vinyl can melt when exposed to significant heat. In fact, no matter what sort of siding you have on your home, you will want to keep grills and ignitable materials (dry leaves, mulch, etc.) away.

Finally, if you are planning on updating your home and want to paint the siding you have installed, make sure you check with the manufacturer first! Some brands may void the warranty if you paint your siding.

Maryland’s Vinyl Siding Installation & Repair Experts

For more than 20 years, Select Home Exteriors has provided exceptional vinyl siding installation and repairs to customers throughout central Maryland. We offer a variety of colors, styles, and brands to meet your individual needs. Contact us today for a free estimate!