I have very little money to update my very old asphalt shingle siding.

Heidi
by Heidi
Until I can afford the vinyl siding I want, I need to make do. If I can improve the look of my exterior (e.g. paint the existing siding?) then my neighbor might trim his landscaping so I can I partake of the outstanding valley view which I'm currently missing out on. I have a paint sprayer and access to some decent red exterior paint. What do you think?
  15 answers
  • Hi there Heidi, I say go for it, especially if you have a paint sprayer. Depending on the size of your house, you can probably get it done in just a day or two. Just make sure that you power wash the siding there before you start painting, it should take the black off of there. Don't get the tip of the washer too close to the wall though or you may damage things. Also, prime any bare wood before painting with the final coat.
  • Heidi Heidi on Aug 08, 2011
    Thanks, Dan!
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Aug 08, 2011
    That stuff looks pretty old...have you had it tested for asbestos?
  • Paint is the least expensive way to drastically change a look. I lead by example in putting sweat equity into my property. I definitely agree with Dan & KMS. My only concern is the color. Is it a nice brownish red, or bright? If it is too bright, slate gray might be a nice choice.
  • Heidi Heidi on Aug 08, 2011
    Thanks for the feedback! Definitely not asbestos, thank goodness. The paint is a nice deep red. (I have to keep it red because my blog is called TheRedDollarHouse.blogspot.com ;) ) Thanks again, I now have the confidence to move forward!
  • No problem at all there Heidi. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask, we'll help with whatever we can. Post us some photos when you have things all set!
  • A nice deep red will look great with the light gray roof & the paint being all one color & darker will cover the flaws. I love projects like this, the result is so rewarding. Please post an after photo.
  • Heidi Heidi on Aug 08, 2011
    I will definitely post after photos. This was my first interaction with Home Talk and I am very impressed! :)
  • We all love Hometalk, you can ask any question & get a fantastic answer! It has opened up all kinds of information & knowledge to me.
  • I agree that this is a great place. I've been coming here regularly for months now. Even though I am a contractor myself, I still learn something new every time I stop on by (usually more than one thing)!
  • What did you start painting it with? I'm not sure what to use on asphalt shingle siding...any suggestions?
  • my house used to be a grocery store had asphalt shingle like siding allover ,,i painted and got a4x8sheet of jip board the black brd and cut out ,,,painted till i could put concrete siding ,,now all concrete and wood,,good luck
  • Rich M Rich M on Mar 27, 2012
    go to your local building supplier not lowes or home depot,the one who supplies your roofing and window dealers and ask em if they have any stuff that some who didn't pay for or sent back or was refused,u can get it really cheap,cause they don't wanna send it to the dumpster,u can get it at a big discount,
  • Steve B Steve B on Mar 31, 2012
    My experiance with asphalt siding is that it is used as an after market cover-up to avoid painting the historical wood lap siding uderneath. You may want to try to peek under the siding, if whats underneth is wood lap, it may be wise to remove the asphalt and paint the wood instead.
  • Pam Pam on Apr 20, 2012
    We painted my mother's house, which is asphalt siding, about 3 years ago. It looks great and is holding up very well. Paint will do wonders for that old siding. My mother's house is over 70 years old.