Can You Paint Siding?

Painting Exterior Siding on a House

Choosing a color for painting exterior wood siding is a fun part of the design process. Browsing trending exterior house colors can help you find the perfect look. But how do you achieve the color and design you want with the most durable siding you can find?

We’ve put together a quick guide for the inside scoop on how to paint siding (like LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding), along with maintenance tips an easy alternative to eliminate the painting step.

Can You Paint Siding on a House?

You can paint siding! While neutral colors are timeless, many homeowners opt for daring colors that stand out. You may also have a specific color in mind that you want to use to match your design expectations exactly. Regardless, painting siding is a great way to add flair and incorporate your personal style into your home's exterior now or in the future, if you are seeking a new aesthetic.

Want a quick and easy way to choose bold colors for your home without painting siding? If you’re remodeling your home’s exterior with new siding and want to make the process even simpler, try LP SmartSide ExpertFinish^® Trim & Siding, which combines installation and painting into one step. With a smaller pool of popular siding colors to choose from, prefinished LP SmartSide ExpertFinish products make the selection process easier on you—and faster for your installer.

How to Paint Siding: An Inside Look

When you partner with a professional for painting engineered wood siding, you can expect a few key steps to be taken to give you results you’ll want to show off. Check out guidelines below for insight into the process, including easier maintenance you can help with after the job’s done. 

1. How to Prep Engineered Wood Siding for Painting
   Preparing engineered wood siding for painting helps painters achieve the look you want for your home. Before beginning, they'll ensure your wood siding is clean, dry and free of damage. This is a key benefit of having a professional inspect your siding before it is painted.
2. Repairing Engineered Wood Siding Before Painting
   If you are hoping to revamp the look of existing siding, a paint job can help, but it's important to make sure paint doesn't cover up any structural issues that will impact your home even with a new coat of paint. Look for dents, cracks, mold and mildew before painting, and check for any signs of damage that may allow water to intrude. Have your professional painter double-check as well.
3. How to Clean Engineered Wood Siding Before Painting
   Before your pro painter arrives, remove all dust and mildew from the surface by washing with a brush and a mild detergent solution (dish soap and water mixed together works well). Rinse from top to bottom. Start at the top and work your way down. Do not pressure-wash. Wait for surfaces to dry completely.
4. Best Exterior Paint for Engineered Wood Siding
   Wondering what kind of paint to use on wood siding that is engineered? When painting engineered wood siding, pros use exterior-quality 100% acrylic latex paint specially formulated for use on wood and engineered wood substrates. For best results, use satin finish paint for smooth finish lap siding, and use satin or semi-gloss paint for cedar texture lap siding. Your professional painter will be looking for the paint to have a warranty, as well. When you choose a color, be sure to partner with them to ensure you have the right type of paint.
5. How to Paint Exterior Engineered Wood Siding
   The process is simple, but a pro will help you make sure your painted siding looks great for years to come. They'll apply paint with a sprayer or brush, ensuring that the bottom edges are covered with paint. LP recommends pros apply two coats of unthinned paint at the manufacturer's recommended spread rate.

Learn About LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Trim & Siding From Our Experts

Prefinished LP SmartSide siding is a versatile option for getting the colors you want for your home. The collection offers everything from bold reds and blues to classic neutrals—and it’s backed by the industry-leading limited LP SmartSide warranty, in addition to a 15-year finish warranty. Check out the video below to learn more.

Pros & Cons of Painting vs. Replacing Siding

At times, it may be better to re-side your home instead of painting siding. Let's examine the benefits of each choice.

Advantages of Painting vs. Replacing Siding

If your siding material is a durable substrate in good condition, painting engineered wood siding can freshen your home's exterior look without covering up any significant siding issues. Generally, this option will be more cost effective and may be a good option for a budget-conscious approach.

Advantages of Replacing Siding vs. Painting Siding

When you replace your siding, you have the advantage of a new, durable substrate that will give your home the ability to withstand weather, impact and more for years to come. And with an option like LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Trim & Siding, you can get one of the most durable siding solutions on the market in beautiful, long-lasting colors—without painting exterior wood siding in the field.

Check out our siding and trim product page to explore our variety of timeless, durable LP SmartSide product offerings.