Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

Vinyl siding can be a plus to a house because it’s low maintenance, but what if you just moved in, and you hate the color the previous homeowners picked? Are you stuck getting the siding replaced for the whole house (an expensive job)? Or can you paint vinyl? You’re in luck: you can paint vinyl siding with any top-quality exterior latex flat or satin paint. Since vinyl doesn’t shrink, swell, or warp, the paint will likely last a while, too (eventually it will start to chalk off, but that just means it’s time to repaint). To make sure the paint job is successful and long-lasting, following these tips:

1. Before starting, use a pressure washer to clean off any chalk, dirt, and mildew.
2. Only use a top-quality exterior acrylic latex paint.
3. Don’t choose a color that’s darker than the original siding.
4. You don’t need to use a primer, but apply two coats of paint, using the manufacturer-recommended spread rate.
5. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations in regards to weather.

Source: July/August 2006 issue of Smart HomeOwner