Can You Paint Vinyl Siding Darker

If you want to paint vinyl siding a darker color then you have to contend with this possibility even when using vinyl safe paint.

Can you paint vinyl siding darker.

The folks at my local sherwin williams paint store have helped me select plastic paint to coat thick plastic lumber in the past with very good results. You may have already heard that you can t paint vinyl siding dark because it can warp. In other words painting vinyl siding requires a latex urethane paint formulated for exterior use. You may be reluctant to limit your color.

If painting is really your best option you ll need to make sure you wash the siding very well maybe even use some kind of de glosser. 20 years ago or even 10 years ago the answer would have been less encouraging but with today s high quality paints it is entirely possible to freshen and protect your home s vinyl with a coat of good paint. Unlike their competitors lp smartside siding and trim products are engineered wood products so heat doesn t warp it. So pvc and vinyl window manufacturers don t want to take the chance that direct sunlight.

Sherwin williams vinylsafe paint colors allow you the freedom to choose from 100 color options including a limited selection of darker colors formulated to resist warping or buckling when applied to a sound stable vinyl substrate. Choosing the right paint and colors for vinyl siding. Painting a darker color onto light toned vinyl siding can cause the vinyl to absorb more heat than it was designed to handle and may result in warping. You will generally get better products and advice at a paint store than a paint department.

However heat can warp plastic products. Keep in mind though that vinyl siding is maintenance free but as soon as you paint it it now requires. You should also shy away from dark colors which may create more maintenance problems. Darker colored paint absorbs more heat which increases the chances of the siding warping especially if you use the wrong kind of paint.

Generally speaking you can go a little darker without concern but the more difference there is the more likely you are to encounter issues. Because dark colors absorb more heat than light colors you should not choose a paint color that is darker than the original siding color. Damage spots can serve as points of infiltration for moisture or pests causing problems like mold and nesting. Quality paint manufacturers offer paints specifically formulated for vinyl siding and usually specify a variety of vinyl safe colors that is colors that won t absorb too much heat.

Yes you can paint it.