It’s an age old question, or at least as long as vinyl siding has been in the picture, do we paint our wood siding or install vinyl siding? What are the pros and cons we should consider when choosing the best option for our home? Sometimes homeownership comes with decisions you never thought you’d have to make.
Vinyl Siding Cost vs. Exterior Painting Cost
Let’s get down to cost right off the bat because for most of us cost is a driving factor of decision making. You’ve gotten your vinyl siding estimate from your contractor and you’re thinking wow, that’s expensive. The cost may be seemingly expensive but vinyl siding can last anywhere from twenty to forty years depending on sun exposure, weather conditions and other factors. Painting may be a cheaper cost up front but you’ll likely have to paint every five to eight years.
The current national average cost to vinyl side a house is $11,676. We can divide this number by the minimum twenty years we expect vinyl siding to last to determine the average cost per year.
Vinyl Siding Average Cost $11,676 / 20 years = $583.80 cost per year
The current national average cost to paint a house is $3,029. We can divide this number by the minimum five years we expect exterior painting to last to determine the average cost per year.
Exterior Painting Average Cost $3,029 / 5 years = $605.80 cost per year
You don’t have to be a mathematician to determine that $583.80 per year for vinyl siding is cheaper than painting for $605.80 per year but remember this is a national average and these figures will need to be based on your specific home in order to make an informed decision. Get estimates from multiple contractors and painters to not only compare to one another but to determine what makes sense financially for you.
Vinyl Siding Maintenance vs. Exterior Paint Maintenance
Vinyl siding is virtually maintenance free. According to Certainteed, vinyl siding just needs a wipe down with water and dish soap if it becomes dirty. CertainTeed vinyl siding is mold and mildew resistant meaning it is unlikely (not impossible) for mold and mildred growth.
Typically, exterior painted siding can be scrubbed clean with a brush and soapy water but tread carefully over chipped areas as you could worsen the condition. The maintenance for exterior painting is greatly determined by the paint used. If your painter tries to cut corners by using a cheaper paint, you may run into mold or mildew issues sooner than anticipated. Make sure your painter is actually using what you’re paying for.
Vinyl Siding Color Options vs. Exterior Paint Color Options
Exterior paint wins color choices by a landslide over vinyl siding color choices. Exterior paint can be mixed to match anything, literally anything. Technology used today in the paint world is incredible. If you wanted to match your house to the golden flecks in your favorite pet’s eyes, it’s actually doable! And if in five years when it starts to crack and peel, change it up.
Vinyl siding manufacturers’ typically have a decent range of colors to choose from but they often have a tiered cost system based on colors. Darker colors tend to be more expensive than lighter colors. You’ll probably be able to find a color you like within the vinyl siding brand’s offerings but a custom color just isn’t an option. And remember, if your vinyl siding lasts twenty years and beyond, you better love the forest green you chose because you’ll be seeing it for a long time!
Vinyl Siding Return on Investment vs. Exterior Painting Return on Investment
Whether you’re planning on living in your home for five more years or fifty more years, you’ll need to figure out how much money makes sense to invest into the value of your home. If you install vinyl siding, you can expect a roughly 89% return on your investment. This means if you spend $10,000 to vinyl side your home, you’ll add approximately $8,900 to your home’s selling price. If you are planning on selling, consider your home’s current curb appeal. You’ll get a lot more interest based on looks alone. While you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, the same can be said about houses but it’s an inevitable impulse.
The average return on investment for exterior painting is approximately 55%. Using round numbers, spend $3,000 on exterior painting and expect to add roughly $1,650 to your asking price.
If you are planning on living in your home forever, how many times do you want to deal with the exterior? Replace the vinyl siding every twenty to forty years or paint the siding every five to eight years. Vinyl siding has a set-it-and-forget-it factor that is certainly alluring.
Vinyl Siding Warranty vs. Paint Warranty
Any major vinyl siding or exterior paint manufacturer will back their products but to what extent? Make sure you know what’s covered and what isn’t. A good contractor or painter will also offer their own warranty to back their workmanship. A workmanship warranty typically covers if anything were to go awry due to incorrect installation or application. Warranties are usually a lot of tiny fine print that nobody actually reads until they’re looking to file a claim. Take the time to compare and contrast what you’re actually getting from your contractor or painter.
There are pros and cons to every decision in life but the more you know, the better you’ll be able to decide based on your needs. If you’d like a vinyl siding estimate from Seaberg Construction, we’d be happy to provide a detailed estimate tailored to your home. Please contact us here: https://seabergconstruction.com/residential-siding-rhode-island/
To browse vinyl siding colors and what to expect from us: https://seabergconstruction.com/residential-siding-rhode-island/
If you ultimately decide to paint your home, we’re happy to pass along some local recommendations!
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