Painting Siding vs Replacing: Which Approach Makes More Sense?
There comes a time when you notice something just looks a little different about your home’s exterior. Then you come to think about it, and that siding is over two decades old! Now you’re at a crossroads, debating painting siding vs replacing it altogether.
The one question we get asked about more than any other on this topic comes down to cost. Is it cheaper to paint siding or replace it? This is a tricky one. Because it might seem as if it’s more affordable to just repaint it now and spend a few thousand dollars on paint (more if you hire someone to paint it). However, you’re really just kicking the can further down the road.
Our advice is to think about what will be the most economical choice 10-20 years down the road if you can. And if your current siding has visible signs of rot or moisture damage, there’s no point in wasting resources on covering up the damage. Replace the siding and be done with it.
But, there’s a lot more that goes into the decision than meets the eye. We’ll weigh both sides below and help you figure out what makes more sense between painting siding vs replacing siding.
Key Takeaways
- Repainting siding is viable if it’s still structurally sound and you just want to refresh the look.
- Replacing siding is a better choice if the wood itself is compromised or paint won’t properly adhere.
- A really good paint job on wood siding will last 5-7 years, whereas replacement siding will last 25-30 years.
- Paint is cheaper than replacement in the short-term, but replacement makes more sense in the long run.
- WoodPlank is your trusted source for wood siding, from thermally modified pine to Western Red Cedar, composite, and aluminum.
Pros and Cons of Replacing Siding Altogether
There’s no question that completely replacing your siding is a massive undertaking, and it’s certainly going to cost you more than a fresh coat of paint would. But it also gives you a 20+ year runway before you have to worry about your siding again.
Pros
- Addresses the underlying issues like rot and moisture damage that paint would only mask
- You can inspect and upgrade the sheathing and house wrap behind the boards
- Newer materials, like thermally modified wood or composite, can last 25-30 years
- You can completely transform the look of your home and boost curb appeal
Cons
- Completely replacing the siding on a mid-sized house can cost $15,000 to $30,000
- It can take at least a week to tear off the old siding and install the new siding
- It’s not always necessary if your existing boards are still solid and holding fasteners just fine
Pros and Cons of Repainting Old Siding
There’s no faster and more affordable way to spruce up the appearance of your home’s exterior than with a fresh paint job. However, there comes a time when painting old siding is just delaying the inevitable, or worse - letting rot work its way deeper into your home.
Pros
- A professional paint job takes just a few days and costs between $3,000-$7,000
You can buy yourself another 5-7 years before rethinking next steps by painting old siding - Your old siding may have architectural value that you don’t want to lose out on
Cons
- You’re merely hiding problems rather than actually fixing them
- There could be moisture trapped between paint layers that will only speed up decay from the inside
- More expensive over the course of 15-20 years, and you eventually still need to replace the siding
- You're stuck with an old aesthetic and your house may look dated
Is it Cheaper to Paint Siding or Replace It?
This is what most people care about when weighing the pros and cons of painting siding vs replacing. Which is going to hurt less from a financial perspective? The math changes depending on how long you plan on being in your home.
Painting old siding is certainly the more affordable option in the short term. We’re talking about a difference of $3,000 to $7,000 and $15,000 to $30,000. It’s quite the expense either way, but if cash is a constraint right now, painting is a viable option.
What if you’re going to stay in your home for another decade, though? What about two decades? Each paint job lasts 5-7 years. Let’s say you land somewhere in the middle and spend $5k per paint job. We’ll assume you get 6 years from each one. Eventually, there comes a point when replacing the siding would be the better call.
Think about it this way. You can spend the money now and not have to think about siding again for the next 25-30 years, depending on the material you go with.
There’s another side of the painting siding vs replacing siding debate that people don’t think about, too. Newer siding will have stronger insulating properties, which can help keep your heating and cooling costs down. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much money new siding will save you over a 10-20 year span, but it’s something to think about.
Signs Your Siding is Beyond Repainting
We’ve assumed you actually have decent siding worth repainting. But we want to take a step back and talk about what it might look like when your siding is beyond saving.
Take a screwdriver and try to push through a board. Does it sink in? Your wood is rotting from the inside out, and paint cannot fix internal decay. You might be able to swap out a few boards if the issue is isolated. Otherwise, your siding is no good and must be replaced.
You can also see some of the signs your siding is past its prime. Warping or cupping over large sections is a telltale sign of moisture damage that has already changed the structure of the wood. At this point, paint wouldn’t even fully adhere to the boards because they’re not flat enough. The paint will begin peeling soon after being applied.
Does mold or mildew come back pretty quickly after cleaning your siding? That’s another indication that your siding is holding onto water instead of shedding it. This is a pretty prevalent problem on siding in shaded areas where the sun can’t dry it out.
More Things to Ponder as You Consider Painting Siding vs Replacing It
There’s never going to be a one-size-fits-all answer as to whether you should paint or replace siding because it depends on your unique situation.
One of the first things we ask someone pondering painting siding vs replacing it is their plans for the home. Do you anticipate selling it within the next few years? If so, it’s probably wiser to just paint the siding and pass the expense of replacing siding onto the next homeowner.
That’s not to say new siding doesn’t add value to the home. In fact, doing so can immediately boost your curb appeal. We have a lot of customers who redo their siding before listing their homes on the market.
If you are planning on selling your home, though, the choice of siding matters. For example, thermowood or composite cladding comes backed by 25-30 year warranties, which will transfer over to the new buyer.
There’s another benefit to replacing older siding rather than simply painting over it, too. You are getting a look at what’s under the hood, so to speak. Tear-off sometimes reveals damage you never would have known existed.
Now, we know what you’re thinking - that’s going to be another cost to budget for. But it’s better to catch it ASAP than delay the inevitable and let something like rot spread further and further.
So, Should You Paint or Replace Siding?
By now you should have a better understanding of what makes sense for your home - painting siding vs replacing it altogether. Any structurally sound siding without any signs of rot or warping can be repainted to breathe fresh life into your home’s exterior.
On the other hand, replacement actually solves the problem in the long run if the wood is soft or the boards are pulling away from your house. This is the only viable option if you’ve repainted the siding a few times and are noticing that each paint job lasts less than the previous one.
Replacement Siding Options Worth Considering
The only question now is what type of siding you should choose for the replacement project. You have quite a few options here in our house siding collection at WoodPlank.
Thermally Modified Wood Siding
Our thermowood siding is among our most popular. We’ve thermally modified varieties such as pine, poplar, and ash by heating them to high temperatures. This permanently changes the wood’s cell structure so less moisture can penetrate. You get better durability without ongoing maintenance needs or the higher costs of real wood.
Thermally modified pine is the most affordable option at just $179.99 for 15 square feet. All are sourced from FSC-certified lumber and backed by a 25-year warranty.
Part of what makes thermowood siding unique is how it looks, too. The heat treatment naturally darkens the wood so it has a warmer appearance. You don’t have to apply any finish yourself.
Composite Siding
Composite siding is made from mostly recyclable materials - no wood whatsoever. It can last 30+ years with almost no maintenance needed over the course of its life, so it’s no wonder more and more homeowners are going with composite.
It’s also very affordable compared to real wood. Our composite siding panels start at $219.99 for 16.8 square feet in the narrow slat profile. It comes in a variety of colors to match your home - light oak, honey brown, black, gray, and many more.
Aluminum Siding
The most durable option you have access to. Our aluminum siding is crafted from T5 marine-grade aluminum. We’ve applied sublimated wood grain finishes to mirror the look of real wood, but without any of the maintenance concerns. It exceeds Class A fire ratings and has a 50-year structural warranty and a 25-year warranty on the color/foil.
Real Wood Siding
There is always real wood siding, such as Western Red Cedar. It’s absolutely beautiful and gives you the freedom to stain it however you see fit, or leave it unsealed and let it weather naturally to its silver-grey patina. Cedar has natural resistance to rot and decay. It’s not cheap, but it’s still one of the most popular options out there.
Parting Thoughts on Painting Siding vs Replacing
Whatever you decide to go with, WoodPlank makes the entire process seamless. You’ll get exceptional customer service every step of the way. Reach out now for one-on-one support, and we can even help you weigh your options between painting siding vs replacing if you’re still on the fence!