How to refresh vinyl and aluminum siding

Is your home’s exterior siding looking tired? Many homeowners plan to replace old siding with materials like brick or stone veneer or switch from clapboard siding to a board-and-batten look. If replacing your home’s siding isn’t in the budget, give it a new look with a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint.

Photo Credit: iStock.com/ Andriy Blokhin

The most popular of all exterior cladding options, vinyl siding is both durable and low maintenance. Because of how it’s manufactured, vinyl siding doesn’t peel, chip, or dent easily, even in the harsh Canadian climate. Vinyl siding is also known for its insulating qualities. Looking to boost your home’s curb appeal? Vinyl siding and trim comes in hundreds of colours and architectural styles from traditional to modern.
 
How to clean
Use a soft cloth or long-handled brush (manufacturers do not recommend using a pressure washer on vinyl siding). While commercially prepared cleaning solutions are available for vinyl siding, you can also make your own. Try a mixture of 70% water and 30% white vinegar to wash away any mold and mildew. Concerned about harming your garden’s plants? Add 250 mL of oxygen bleach to four litres of water for a landscape-safe cleaner. Begin at the bottom of the house and work your way up. Once complete, rinse well.
 
How to paint
Yes, you can paint vinyl siding to restore its original charm. Specially formulated paint products are available in a wide variety of tasteful colours, but check your warranty before you paint—you could be covered for replacement if excessive fading occurs. Also, your siding policy could be invalidated by painting. Make sure to read the fine print. When selecting a paint colour, always choose a shade that matches, or is lighter than, your current siding. Darker tones can cause siding panels to warp and buckle when exposed to the sun’s heat.

Popular for its durability, aluminum siding is waterproof and resistant to rot and corrosion. It’s also lightweight, recyclable and fireproof. The siding itself will last for decades, but the coat of paint applied to it will fade or wear away over time. The upside is that aluminum siding takes paint well.
 
How to clean
A pressure washer (available for purchase or rent at your local home improvement centre) will help to remove dirt, mold, grease, tree sap or animal droppings. Use hot water, or a bleach solution, and spray in a downward motion to avoid loosening siding from the house. Don’t forget to secure the soffits, gutters and drain pipes before cleaning.
 
How to paint
Start with a good primer to ensure the paint will adhere well. Choose latex over oil paint for a flexible finish that will expand and contract based on changes in temperature. A good brush and roller will do the job, but hire a professional if you want the smooth finish that only a spray gun can provide. A well-done paint job should last 10 to 20 years.

There's no question that repainting your home is a major project. If you've decided the job is best left to a professional painter, use the YP search engine to find a qualified painter near you.