Your home’s exterior is the perfect place to express your style and personality to the world. From flowers and lawn ornaments to trim and siding, you have the opportunity to mix and match various colors, textures, and features to customize the outside of your home into something that you love to see every time you pull into your driveway.
However, over time, the effects of weather and everyday wear and tear, as well as evolving styles and preferences, can leave your home’s exterior in need of a makeover. If you are considering an exterior remodel, then one of the most crucial decisions you’ll have to make is whether to paint your existing siding or go for a full siding replacement.
While both options have their own merits and considerations, the decision you make will depend on various factors, such as the siding you already have in place. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of painting and replacing siding and how they relate to all of the most popular siding replacement options.
Should I Paint or Replace My Siding?
When choosing to paint or replace your siding, it is important to consider your options carefully since this decision will affect your home’s exterior for many years to come. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.
Painting Pros
- Budget-Friendly – Painting your siding is generally a more cost-effective option when compared to replacing it entirely. Painting allows you to make a significant upgrade without a substantial upfront investment.
- Versatility – Painting your siding offers nearly limitless color options, which gives you the ability to make your home’s appearance truly stand out. You can also use paint to add accents or details that reflect your unique style and preferences.
- Quick Turnaround – Painting is a relatively quick process, depending on the size of your home and your local weather conditions. In most cases, you can complete the project in a matter of days, which makes it a convenient choice for many homeowners.
Painting Cons
- Maintenance – Painting requires regular maintenance, and it may need to be touched up or redone every few years. Peeling or chipping paint can be unsightly, and it may lead to more significant issues when it is left untreated for an extended period of time.
- Longevity – Although paint may improve your home’s appearance, it doesn’t provide the same level of durability as new siding. Also, depending on what type of siding you have in place, your paint job may have a tough time withstanding harsh weather conditions and normal wear and tear.
- Preparation – In order to achieve a smooth, even finish, you will need to thoroughly prepare the surfaces you are painting. This process can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially if your home has already been painted in the past.
Siding Pros
- Fresh Look – Siding replacement gives you the ability to give your home a fresh and clean appearance. When you replace your siding, you will not need to worry about covering up flaws or damages on your existing siding. You can also choose from a wide range of colors and a variety of different brands.
- Durability – Depending on what type of siding replacement you choose, new siding can last anywhere from 10 to 50 years. Replacing your siding ensures that you are getting the most value out of your home improvement project.
- Low Maintenance – When properly installed, new siding typically requires little to no maintenance for many years.
Siding Cons
- Cost – Siding replacement requires a substantial investment, and the cost can vary depending on the material you choose and the size of your home. Although it is a long-term solution, the up-front cost can be a deterrent for some homeowners.
- Installation – For some types of siding, the installation process can be time-consuming. While vinyl siding replacement installations can typically be completed within a few days, other signing options, like cement fiber siding, can take quite a bit longer.
Siding Replacement Options
There are many different options when it comes to siding replacement, so let’s take a look at some of the most popular choices and whether you should paint or replace them.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the most common siding options on the market, and it comes in a wide range of colors and styles. Vinyl siding can typically last anywhere from 30 to 40 years, so it is important to choose a color that will stand the test of time.
Vinyl siding is highly resistant to many different environmental factors, such as UV light, heat, cold, and moisture. Because vinyl is entirely made from synthetic materials, it does not degrade or rot.
Although you can paint vinyl siding, your new paint job will be prone to cracking and flaking. As with any other type of siding, vinyl siding is installed in various pieces. Spaces between these pieces can create weak spots in your coat of paint, which can lead to the formation of cracks between individual pieces of siding.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is an extremely durable siding option that is known for lasting anywhere up to 50 years. Fiber cement siding is made from a combination of cement and natural fibers, creating a strong material that is resistant to moisture and everyday wear and tear.
As with vinyl siding, you can paint fiber cement siding, but it is a rather labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Fiber cement siding comes in long boards that are overlapped to resemble individual shingle-like pieces. This means that there are many gaps and joints in the finished siding, and filling in all of these spaces with a new coat of paint is a long and difficult process.
Metal Siding
The two most common types of metal siding are steel and aluminum, which can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. Because both of these types of siding are generally made from recycled materials, they are considered to be some of the most environmentally friendly sliding options.
Both aluminum and steel siding require very little maintenance, but they both can be painted if desired. If you choose to go this route, is important to thoroughly prepare your siding before painting. This involves thoroughly cleaning and priming every surface that you will paint. It is also crucial to use an outdoor paint that is suitable for metal surfaces. Keep in mind that you may need to apply multiple coats to achieve a smooth and uniform finish.
Natural Wood Siding
The lifespan of a natural wood siding replacement largely depends on what type of wood you use. One of the most common woods used for natural wood siding is cedar, which can typically last anywhere from 20 to 40 years with proper maintenance.
Natural wood siding gives your home’s exterior a rustic and organic feel, which many homeowners find appealing. However, it’s important to keep in mind that natural wood can be prone to warping, rotting, and pests.
In order to get the most out of your natural wood siding, it is essential to keep it clean and dry, which means you will need to refinish it every three to five years. Using high-quality exterior paint is an effective way to refinish your natural wood siding and protect it from moisture, but this process requires extensive preparation and planning.
Manufactured Wood Siding
Another alternative to natural wood siding is manufactured wood siding replacement. This type of siding is generally cheaper than natural wood while offering many of the same benefits, such as its rustic appearance. Manufactured wood siding also has a similar lifespan as natural wood siding, generally lasting anywhere from 20 to 30 years.
If you decide to paint your manufactured wood siding, you will need to follow a similar process to that of natural wood siding. Keep in mind that when starting any painting project, the most important step is preparation and priming.
Replace Your Siding With Deg Contracting in St. Louis, Missouri
If you prefer a siding replacement over painting, then DeG Contracting has all of the leading brands, styles, and materials to make your vision a reality. Since 1997, DeG Contracting has been remodeling home exteriors all over the St. Louis, Missouri, area.
With nearly 30 years of experience, DeG Contracting has the knowledge and experience to give you a realistic timeline and a fair price for your siding replacement while also making your home look brand new.
Click here to get a free inspection and estimate from one of our home exterior experts!
