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Aluminum Siding – Remove or Paint?

MikeK | Posted in General Discussion on December 15, 2002 08:37am

I have a 100 year old house with 30 year old aluminum siding. The color of the siding is fading, but otherwise it is good condition.

My wife and I are in disagreement about what to do. I would like wash the oxidized paint off the siding, prime it, and paint it.  The existing color is a dark brown. I feel a more attractive color will really increase the curb appeal of the home. The cost would be minimal as I have painting experience and can do the work myself. The downside is that it’s still aluminum siding on a historic home.

My wife would like me to remove the aluminum siding and scrape and paint the original siding. Since we have a Shingle Style Victorian home it likely has cedar shingles on it. The thought of trying to scrape 7 layers of paint off cedar shingles does not appeal to me. The upside is we would get back the original architectural look of the house.

I would appreciate any advice, comments, or suggestions.

Thanks,

Mike

 

 

 

 

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Replies

  1. MarkH128 | Dec 15, 2002 07:41pm | #1

    I'd paint what you have, unless you want to gamble and take a chance that there is anything good under the siding. You might end up with a big nightmare, and if you're selling the house anyway, I would not remove the siding since it might be a selling feature.

  2. User avater
    goldhiller | Dec 15, 2002 08:03pm | #2

    I'm with the wife on this, but..............I have a huge bias for the romantic/warm look of these older homes. While the project of restoration may become larger and more expensive than either you or your wife anticipate and maintenance will be more frequent thru the years ......if it was mine, I'd do it. Hell, I did do it with this Vic as well as other homes for clients. As for ours....time and effort = yes........ a bit of $$$ = yes. Regrets = none.

    Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
  3. stonefever | Dec 15, 2002 08:22pm | #3

    I would do both.

    Your method is the lowest cost, quickest means to cleaning up the place.  That should be done simply to prepare for the next step.

    IF you and your wife BOTH want to rehab the old Vic, then you need a plan.  The more you both work on that plan, the better the results.  And most importantly, the better the interaction between you.  You see, a rehab takes a lot out of a woman.  Her nest is disturbed.  Unless she is involved and has her way on many issues, you may need the place to be looking good.  Divorce sometimes requires a fast sale.

    But the rehab will take money.  Having the place looking good now will allow you to mortgage for more cash to better finance an expensive job.  Get her a decorator to work with during the process.  That really makes things easier.

    1. MikeK | Dec 16, 2002 12:44am | #4

      Believe me, the wife gets her way more often than not.  Do you have any idea how much Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper cost!

      At this time we have limited funds. We have allocated most of cash towards a gut rehab of the Kitchen.  The kitchen project will likely return most of our investment if we had to sell (we are planning on dying in this house, but you never know).

      What worries me is that I see some homes in my neighborhood that have original painted siding that looks like crap - uneven surfaces, some rotting boards, etc. I think I would want to remove all the old paint down to the bare wood before repainting. I'm not sure if this can be done on cedar shingles.

      Thanks for your imput.

      Mike

      1. junkhound | Dec 16, 2002 12:50am | #5

        Lead paint?  Regulation/cleanup costs in your area on lead paint removal?

        1. Jencar | Dec 16, 2002 01:18am | #6

          I didn't notice if you said how big your place is or how much time and money you can afford, but new cedar shingles are gorgeous, and not that difficult to put on (If I can do it...) replacing them has got to be about 100 times easier than stripping paint off of old, brittle ones.

          In this area a bundle runs $50 and covers about 30 square ft.

          Jennifer

          Insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results" "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" A. Einstein

          Edited 12/15/2002 5:20:44 PM ET by Jencar

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