How Much Does It Cost to Paint Aluminum Siding?

Average Aluminum Siding Painting Cost

Cost to Paint Aluminum Siding per Square Foot

Expect to pay between $1 and $5 per square foot to paint aluminum siding, with most people paying between $2 and $4 per square foot when they hire a pro. While it doesn't need painting often, aluminum siding eventually oxidizes as its factory finish ages, cracks, and gets chalky and therefore requires a new coat of paint. 

But, in most cases, you can't just slap a new coat of paint over the old finish, as the chalky nature of the degraded finish means that the new paint won't stick well. So, the siding requires a fair amount of prep work and cleaning to get it ready for the new paint. Where there's aging and oxidation, expect to pay toward the higher end of the per-square-foot cost. 

On the other hand, if there's no excessive wear or oxidation, then all the prep work required is a solid clean, in which case your costs will be on the lower end of the budget.

Aluminum Siding Cost Breakdown

With an average price of $3 per square foot, painting aluminum siding is a moderately-priced project. This cost includes prep work, paint and supplies, and the cost of hiring a house painter. 

Removing Paint and Prep Work

Prep work is essential. Even if the siding looks in fairly good shape, at the very least it needs power washing. This is usually included in the job quote, along with other prep work but, if you know what you're doing, you can potentially save yourself the cost of pressure washing by completing this task yourself. 

If the siding is old and the original finish has degraded, you'll need to have it removed, which can cost up to 50% of the project total; it’s a fairly time-consuming process. But it's necessary if you want a good, long-lasting finish from the new paint. 

Primer

One gallon of primer will cover about 250 square feet and cost about $7 to $15 per gallon. A contractor will measure your home and bring the appropriate amount of primer. There are many options when choosing the right type of primer for this project. A pro will choose an oil-based option for exterior use only.

NOTE: Do not use a latex-based primer as it may react with the aluminum, forming gas bubbles. This will compromise the paint resulting in premature flaking and peeling.

Tools

When painting siding, preparing the surface is essential. Any chalkiness must be scrubbed off to begin with a clean palette. Applying paint to a dirty or unprepared surface will result in flaking.

For this project, you will need:

• Ladder: $30 per day for a rental

• Drop cloths: $10–$30 to prevent damage to landscaping

• Tape: $5 per roll to cover 180 feet

• Power Washer: $35–$100 per day

You may need to rent a power washer if your siding is too dirty for scrubbing. A power washer and mild cleaning agents may be required to properly prepare the surface to receive a paint application. Allow the metal to dry before applying paint. A contractor will often include pressure washing costs in your quote. The use of a power washer may require the help of a professional. They will know the appropriate pressure to use safely.

Other Materials Required

A hired contractor will provide the following:

• Scrub Brush: $10–$25

• Tape: $5 per roll

• Extension Pole: $12–$20

• Drop Cloth: $10–$30

• Tape and paper to protect surfaces: $5 each, per roll

Aluminum Siding Painting Cost Factors

The job’s difficulty, non-standard features, whether doors and trim require new painting, and whether lead abatement is needed directly influence aluminum siding painting prices. 

Accessibility

Labor for this project ranges from $150 to $350 per hour but varies from one contractor to the next. Prices may fluctuate depending on the complexity of your home. Homes with multiple stories and hard-to-reach areas may take more time resulting in higher costs.

Roof/Awning

Painting an aluminum roof or awning costs about $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot. This is due to complexity, duration, and preparation. Your contractor can include this in a quote if you request it. However, not all painters will paint a roof or awning, so do some research to find the right pro in your area for the job.

Doors and Trim

If your doors and trim also need painting, expect to pay an additional $1 to $3 per linear foot. Painting trim costs about $1,000 to $3,000. It's worth noting that you may get a reduced price from your local painter if you have the trim and doors painted at the same time as your siding.

Lead Testing and Abatement

If your home was built before 1978 and you don't know its full history, you'll need to get a lead test to make sure the paint inside and out is safe. The typical cost of a lead inspection is $330, but you could pay anywhere from $130 to $600. 

If the inspection does find lead, you'll need to pay for lead abatement, which costs an average of $3,500, or between $1,600 and $5,600. 

Aluminum Paint Prices

The average cost of paint for aluminum siding is $46 per gallon. It’s important to use 100% acrylic paint on top of an oil-based primer for the most even and long-lasting coverage. Only use acrylic-based paint designated for outdoor use. The cost of paint per square foot is about $0.20. For the average 2,500-square-foot home you will need about 10 gallons of paint which will cost about $460.

Paint Brands

Common paint brands for this project are Behr, Valspar, Clark + Kensington, and Sherwin Williams. A pro will come prepared with paint after you have made your color selection during the initial inspection. Consult a pro if you choose to DIY; they will assist in choosing the right type of paint for your type of home and climate.

NOTE: You can often receive 20% off bulk purchases at big box hardware stores like HomeDepot and Lowe's. Ask a retail associate for details when visiting the stores.

Cost to Paint vs. Replace Aluminum Siding

The cost to replace aluminum siding is about $2.20 per square foot. In some cases, you may be able to repair minor dents or blemishes in the paint. Determining whether your siding needs re-painted or replaced is relatively easy. If it has been previously repainted and is now peeling, has large dents across several planks, or you see white rust—which is a sign of oxidation—you should consider fully replacing it.

Painting Galvanized Steel and Other Metal Siding

For galvanized steel or other metals, you can use latex or acrylic paint. Galvanized Steel will not react to latex paint like aluminum. Your contractor will be able to determine if your siding is galvanized, aluminum, or another type of metal before beginning and will adjust the quote according to the type of paint required. 

Because galvanized steel does not react, causing white powdery oxidation, it is an easier surface to repair. When painting, be sure to scrub off any rust with a wire brush or prepare the surface with a rust-covering primer.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Consider the cost of paint, labor, and equipment. The average cost of paint is $110 for a 2500-square-foot home. The national average for labor is about $250 per hour for exterior painting projects. A contractor will have the necessary supplies for your projects such as a power washer and paint sprayer. Hiring a contractor is an average of $6,500 to paint a 2,500-square-foot home. 

You’ll likely need to rent equipment for your DIY project. The cost for supplies is about $200 to $300. Rental of a power washer costs an average of $35 to $100 per day. Including the cost of paint, your total is roughly $400 to $570 per 250 square feet, or an average of about $4,850 for a 2,500-square-foot home. 

Supplies and equipment you may need include:

• Brushes

• Rollers and rolling handles

• Paint sprayer

• Buckets

• Drop cloths

• Caulk

• Painters tape

• Ladder

In certain cases, it can be more affordable (and much less of a hassle) to hire a painting pro because they will have all of the needed equipment. Always remember that a contractor is trained in application and will likely have more consistent, longer-lasting results than attempting to DIY.

FAQs

Can you DIY a siding painting project?

Yes, you can DIY a siding painting project. It’s important to plan for the weather, especially considering the project will take more than one day. However, with aluminum siding, extensive prep work is necessary, and the paint can only be successfully applied with a spray gun, so it's best left to the pros if you want a long-lasting finish.

What type of paint is best?

Never use latex-based paint on aluminum; it will react with the metal which results in a chemical reaction causing bubbles. Only use an oil-based primer and 100% acrylic-based paint. You can use latex on galvanized steel as well as acrylic- or oil-based, and never on aluminum. Choose a highly-rated acrylic paint for the best, longest-lasting finish on aluminum siding.

How much does it cost to paint an aluminum mobile home?

It costs about $3.00 per square foot to paint an aluminum mobile home, including labor, materials, and paint. You can pay as little as $1 per square foot or as much as $5 per square foot, depending on the difficulty of the job, the condition of your existing siding paint, and whether the siding needs any repair. 

How long will painted aluminum siding last?

If done correctly, repainted aluminum can last about 15 years. To achieve maximum life expectancy, the surface has to be properly prepared. Improper preparation will result in premature cracking and peeling. This preparation includes cleaning the surface and the application of paint and primer in weather conditions from 50 to 80 degrees. Always check the forecast before beginning: rain showers can ruin a paint job. The length of life can be improved by avoiding impact on your siding. Everyday items such as a stray basketball bouncing into your siding or repetitive impact from the output of a lawnmower can chip away at the paint over time.

When do you need to repaint aluminum siding?

It may not be as obvious when aluminum siding needs repairing compared to other siding types, but there are some telltale signs. When your siding fades, starts to oxidize, and becomes chalky, you'll know it's time to call in the pros. While you might not notice the subtle fading of your house color, you'll notice the white chalky stuff that gets on your hands and clothes when you brush past.