Summer’s right around the corner and the thought of going another year with the same dreary-looking vinyl siding feels like a punch to the gut. You want them in a color that speaks to your soul; a tone that reflects your personality. Something that’s going to enhance your property’s curb appeal.

The reality, however, tells of something entirely different. Replacing the vinyl siding of your entire house is no small undertaking. It’s going to cost a pretty penny, which is fine if you had money growing out of your backyard.

If you’re in this very predicament, there’s a better and dare we say – cheaper alternative to giving your vinyl siding a new lease on life. Have you considered vinyl siding painting instead?

You’re now likely wondering: Is it even possible? Can you paint exterior vinyl siding?

Not only is it possible, but millions of homeowners all over the world have already jumped on that bandwagon. You just have to decide which colors to go with.

This guide takes an in-depth look at all-things vinyl siding paint colors to restore the exterior of your house to brand-new status.

=> Get our Supplement to Vinyl Siding Colors Here

Is It Okay to Paint Vinyl Siding?

Yes, it is! If, after a couple of years, your vinyl siding doesn’t look as good as it used to, then you know it’s time to give your home a facelift. Even with proper maintenance and cleaning, it still dulls after a while.

Maybe you just don’t like the color anymore. It’s not as appealing as it was when you first moved in.

Whatever your reason is for wanting a new color for your exterior, it is indeed possible with vinyl siding. The application process is a lot easier and less labor-intensive compared to masonry, wood, or hardboard paint jobs.

If you’re worried about damaging your panels and want to know if it is okay to paint vinyl siding, your panels will be just fine – as long as you use vinyl-safe paint.

Why Paint Vinyl Siding?

Here are some of the top benefits of painting vinyl siding:

It Is Cost-Effective

One of the main pros of vinyl siding has to be just how low-cost and low-maintenance it is. It’s the best way to spruce up your home without any of the added costs associated with buying and installing new panels. The cost to paint vinyl siding is what makes it the number one choice for anyone on a budget.

Enhances Longevity

Even if your siding is in great shape, and doesn’t necessarily need a fresh coat of paint, painting it still is a great way to extend the lifespan of your vinyl siding. It protects it from harsh elements like sun and rain exposure, which means that it will be a very long time before you’ll need to replace them.

Enhances Curb Appeal

The more appealing your house looks, the more attractive is to people looking to buy a home. Painting the exterior works wonders to raise your property value and profile should you ever want to sell.

What Is the Best Paint to Use on Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding is more sensitive to temperature changes in the environment. So it contracts and expands a lot more compared to other materials like wood or aluminum panels. It’s not just in summer and winter either. It’s constantly changing shape and size throughout the day as the sun migrates across the sky.

For this reason, conventional paint won’t bond well with the vinyl surface and, in some instances, may even cause it to warp. So when choosing paint, you need to look for a high-grade paint that’s designed to contract and expand alongside the panels minimizing the risk of warping or the paint flaking off.

Here’s what you need to look for when choosing the right kind of paint.

How to Choose Vinyl Siding Paint Colors

When picking the right paint for your project, bear in mind that paint manufacturers usually have particular ones designed purposely for vinyl siding. They are usually marked “vinyl-safe,” which means that their thermostat-like properties allow the siding to maintain at a safe temperature.

The next consideration when choosing the right paint for the job involves accounting for thermal expansion to accommodate movement as the siding contracts and expands. The best ones usually have latex urethane and acrylic resins in their ingredients. That way, you don’t have to worry about the paint chipping or flaking as the temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.

Colors Available for Vinyl Siding

If you’re looking for color inspiration for your home improvement project, one of the most effective ways to do this is to take a stroll or drive through your neighborhood and see which houses catch your eye.

Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, remember to – harmonize, harmonize, harmonize! Consider how your chosen siding color will go with the roof, trim, garage doors, front door, windows, and any other accessories that may be on your house.

Also, avoid the mistake that many people often make when picking vinyl siding paint colors choosing colors that are too light. It is always better to pick one that’s more on the brown or gray side if you want it to look appropriate. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a color that has underlying gray tones.

Whatever you do, don’t settle on a color before you test it out on your siding first. That’s a rookie mistake. Even the most seasoned professionals would never dream of embarking on a painting project based on the paint chip. Test it out on a panel and see if that’s the shade you were going for.

Top Vinyl Siding Paint Colors and Brands

Anytime you’re shopping for vinyl siding paint, ensure that you pick one specifically designed to be vinyl-safe. Some of the top manufacturers who make this type of paint include:

Behr
Benjamin Moore
Dunn Edwards
Glidden
Kelly-Moore
Kilz
Olympic
Pratt and Lambert
Sherwin-Williams
Valspar

Here’s a sample color palette from the Sherwin-Williams range of vinyl-safe paints. You’ll find similar ones with every one of the listed paint manufacturers. The color you choose ultimately boils down to your style.

How to Match Colors

If you want to retain the existing color on your vinyl siding, you’ll have to find paint that matches the existing panels, right down to the tone and hue. You can try and track down the original contractor who installed the siding and find out if they kept a record of the type of vinyl they put up. Chances are they won’t.

The next (and easiest) option would be to go to the least visible corner of your house and cut off a strip of siding from the base where the two panels overlap. Take it to your local vinyl paint shop, and they’ll match it for you to get the exact shade of paint you need for your project.

Lighter Colors

Lighter vinyl siding paint colors are always the safest choices when it comes to picking home exterior paint. They also have the uncanny ability to make a small house on a small lot appear bigger than it is.

Here are some great ideas and inspiration for your next home improvement project.

Medium Tones

Medium tones are a great transition color between the darker and lighter hues. They are a great choice for those who want their houses to blend-in while maintaining a subtle contemporary style.

Check out these amazing ideas and inspiration that you can draw from.

Is It Possible to Paint Vinyl Siding a Darker Color?

Yes, you can. Although, you should always try to find a paint color that’s lighter than the vinyl siding itself. Dark colors retain more heat and increase the chances of the paint flaking and the vinyl warping as it contracts and expands. It’s the same thing that would happen if you left a plastic plate in the microwave for too long.

However, if there’s a specific dark color that you just can’t seem to get out of your mind, there are plenty of manufacturers who make vinyl-safe paints. These are designed to withstand significant temperature changes and allow you to paint your vinyl siding a darker color.

Benefits of Darker Colors for Vinyl Siding

Right off the bat, darker vinyl siding paint colors are unique, and your home will stand out from the rest. They are more contemporary and have an air of boldness about them.

They are also great at camouflaging flaws. So, if your house has some odd architectural element to it that you’d rather conceal, consider going for a darker tint of your desired vinyl siding color.

Types of Darker Colors

Some of the dark colors that you can’t go wrong with when painting your vinyl siding include:

Gray

This is one of those shades that work with virtually any exterior color combinations. It goes well with blue undertones, white, and even lighter variations of itself.

Black

It may seem like an unusual color for a house, but it works. It is bold, minimalist, edgy, and great for hiding architectural flaws.

Brown

If you want a rustic look for your home, brown is the way to do it. It’s warm, cozy, and inviting and works well with most accent neutrals.

Dark Blue

There’s a quiet dignity about dark blue houses, especially when combined with crisp off-white accents. It works perfectly in the colder northern environs of the United States, where most houses have a coating of snow on their roofs for several months of the year.

Ideas and inspiration

Here are a few ideas for inspiration if you’re thinking about going dark.

=> Get our Supplement to Vinyl Siding Colors Here

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