When your aluminum siding begins to age and fade, you have two options: paint your old aluminum siding or replace it with new vinyl siding.

First, the present condition of your aluminum siding should be assessed. Is your aluminum siding damaged or is it fading and weathered?

Faded and weathered siding can easily be restored with a fresh coat of paint. Painting is a cost efficient, albeit temporary, solution for aging siding.

Although painting your aluminum siding is an option, painting is not a long-term solution. Your aluminum siding will need to be painted again in a few years to maintain it. Painting is recommended every 4-6 years depending climate and wear and tear. Though painting may seem cost effective, having to repaint over and over really adds up. In the long-run, it’ll cost more than installing new vinyl siding.

Painting aluminum siding is a big job. If you plan to do the job yourself, you’ll have to factor in the costs of buying enough paint for multiple coats, renting equipment such as staging and paint sprayers, and dedicating enough time to do the job right. If DIY painting isn’t something you’re interested in doing, you’ll need to research the costs associated with hiring a reputable painting company to paint your siding for you.

If you plan to sell your home within a few years, painting your aluminum siding will give your home an updated look for less, but bear in mind that aluminum siding is less desirable to prospective buyers than high-performance vinyl siding.

For long-term home improvement, replacing your old or damaged aluminum siding with vinyl siding makes the most sense. Vinyl siding has minimal maintenance with a life span of up to 50 years.

Take the following example: If you were to paint your siding at a cost of $6,000 and your siding needs to be repainted every six years, after 50 years it would end up costing you $48,000. Vinyl siding, however, lasts 50 years, needs to be installed once with minimal upkeep, and costs half the price of repainting.

Besides the long-term cost benefits, the advantages of vinyl siding are many.

Vinyl siding comes in a wide selection of colors, textures, profiles, architectural trim, and other accessories to add interest and retain the architectural details of your home. A trained vinyl siding craftsman can maintain and enhance the original charm.

As a homeowner, you don’t have to compromise the beauty or original architectural details of your home if you opt for vinyl siding. As a result, historical home renovations by many historical societies in the U.S. are now using vinyl siding due to the availability of a wide selection of period colors, architectural details, and the low maintenance that vinyl siding provides.

In addition, there are more than 350 vinyl siding colors that have been certified by the Vinyl Siding Institute, with improved color retention – meaning your siding will withstand fading in a variety of climates.

Vinyl siding is also certified for and has the ability to resist heat, cold and moisture, and withstand the effects of heavy winds of 110 mph or more while retaining its appearance and performance.

Because vinyl siding is relatively easy to install, it has the lowest cost with longest life cycle over other exteriors. Research conducted suggests that replacing a home’s siding with vinyl siding is one of the best home improvement projects that can be made to your home to recoup the cost at the time of resale.

Although the cost of painting is less upfront, vinyl siding is the long-term winner here.

As you can see, the decision to paint your old aluminum siding or replace it with vinyl siding depends on your long- or short-term home improvement needs and goals.

We’re ready to help you get started with your project!

For a free estimate and consultation for your roofing, siding, or windows, call us at 401-438-1499 or email info@marshallbr.com.