Can i paint vinyl windows

In extreme heat, vinyl can be too absorptive and warp. Well, you are setting yourself up for problems down the road. Your vinyl, when exposed to heat, sunlight, and temperature shifts, will warp. Vinyl windows are an investment, even if you are unsatisfied with the color. Painting them could lead to warping, and in fact, it probably will. Like any material, you have to know what its weaknesses are in order to maintain it.

For vinyl, treating it well will give you back its best qualities, like energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and durability. You can strip the paint and repaint the vinyl, but because you had to use coarse sandpaper to get the surface to adhere, you really cannot return the vinyl windows to their original condition. Your vinyl windows are an investment, even if they existed when you bought your house.

If you are inadvertently damaging their integrity, this could dramatically affect their lifespan. When it comes time to resell your home, your painted vinyl windows may not be so attractive anymore to interested buyers. The answer, as you can predict, is to avoid painting them altogether. There are too many disadvantages in painting your vinyl windows, perhaps the most concerning of them is the fact that paint can seriously affect their structural integrity.

Your windows should stand up to the test of time, the outer elements included. Vinyl windows can be painted, but that does not mean they should be painted. Generally, home contractors on the North Side and South Side alike will tell you that painting vinyl windows in Chicago is a viable option, while window manufacturers will contradict them. The major drawback is that paint does not adhere well to vinyl, particularly during northern Illinois winters. This results in paint flaking off, leaving you with windows that look worse than the Damen Silos.

The color you choose can also be a factor. Darker paint colors attract solar heat, which puts additional heat stress on your window frames particularly during the summer, when Chicago temperatures can exceed 90 degrees.

If your current windows are older, the increased heat could cause warping. Another important consideration when thinking about painting window frames is your window warranty.

Altering the vinyl window frame may void your warranty. Some manufacturers in Illinois will only accept certain colors of vinyl paint — sometimes going so far as to ask you to send in the paint chip for verification!

Now you understand the risks if you choose to paint the frames. But we live in the age of Pinterest , where DIY is king. Wipe the windows down with a tack cloth to remove sanding dust. I've talked about the 3M hand masker in previous articles. This simple tool is what you need if you plan to mask the windows for spray painting.

Masking windows without one is a huge time waster. The window glass needs to be taped and covered with plastic for over-spray protection. Cover the siding on all four sides of the windows with painter's tape and masking paper. The best tape to use to prevent paint bleed-through is green Frog tape.

You can paint them with only a brush, but it's going to take a lot longer to finish than if you sprayed them instead. Most major home improvement stores rent paint sprayers if you don't already own one. The best tip size to use for spraying vinyl windows is one that produces a smaller spray fan width, which would be a tip 6-inch spray fan , or even the smaller tip 4-inch spray fan.

If it's your first time spraying, the smaller tip makes it easier to control over-spray. I use a Graco airless sprayer for most of my painting projects. These are good tips to use for spraying windows, cabinets, and trim. The tips produce a softer finish with less over-spray. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. Home Appliances. Air Conditioners.

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