Paint With Confidence
Exterior Common Issues & Solutions
Text & image courtesy of the Rohm & Haas Paint Quality Institute
Vinyl Siding Warp
Warping or buckling of vinyl siding panels that have been repainted.
Possible Cause
May be caused by painting with dark color. Dark paint tends to absorb the heat of the sun, transferring it to the substrate. When vinyl siding expands dramatically from heat, it may not be able to contract to its original dimensions.
Solution
- Do not paint vinyl siding or other thin exterior PVC material any darker than its original color unless specifically recommended by the material or paint manufacturer. Whites, off-whites, pastels and other very light colors are good choices.
- Top quality acrylic latex paint is suitable for vinyl siding, because its superior flexibility withstands the stress of expansion and contraction cycles caused by outdoor temperature changes.
- Siding that has warped or buckled should be assessed by a siding or home repair contractor to determine the best remedy. The siding may have to be replaced.
