It typically costs between $3,125 to $8,300 to paint aluminum siding
A big part of your home’s curb appeal is its outward appearance. If you’re looking for a way to get your home’s aluminum siding to pop, painting it is a great option.
But how much is it going to cost for you to paint your house? What’s the average price of a gallon of paint? How many gallons will you need? How much could you save by doing it yourself? Should you do it yourself? We answer these questions and more in this guide.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint Aluminum Siding by Square Foot?
The cost range for painting aluminum siding is pretty broad as it depends on a number of factors. Generally, you can expect to pay between $3,125 to $8,300 to paint a 2,500-square-foot home, which comes down to about $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot. This price includes preparing your home exterior for paint, labor, and cleanup.
How Much Aluminum Siding Can I Paint on My Budget?
Chances are, you know how much siding you need to paint, but you may wonder how much it will cost to get the job done. Below are a range of prices and what each will generally get you to give you a good idea of what you're likely to pay.
$1,500
It's possible to pay far below the above-quoted price range. If you live in an area with low-cost labor and get the materials at a discount, getting in the $1.50 per square foot range, you could pay this price on a small 1,000-square-foot home.
$3,125
This is the bottom end of the typical price range. At this price, you should be able to paint a larger 2,500-square-foot home if you can get labor and materials at a lower than average price.
$5,730
This is the average price you can expect to pay for a standard-sized 2,500-square-foot home.
$8,300
You'll be able to paint a 2,500-square-foot home at this price even if you have to pay a premium for materials and labor. Or, you can paint a much larger home if your costs are average or below-average.
$10,000+
If you’ve got a large house to paint and want to pull out all the stops, you’ll probably have to spend in the five-figure range.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint Aluminum Siding Yourself?
If you think you can do the job yourself, you'll save a good bit of money on labor. However, you'll still need to buy the paint. It costs $46 per gallon to buy the 100% acrylic paint you'll need for the siding, which comes out to about $0.20 per square foot on average.
You'll need about 10 gallons of paint to cover a 2,500-square-foot home, which will cost you $460. You’ll also need $70 to $150 worth of primer. That's a huge savings compared to paying thousands of dollars to have someone else do it for you.
However, painting can be back-breaking labor, and a professional may do a better job of painting the right number of coats on your home.
Painting Aluminum Siding Cost Breakdown
So what are you spending your money on when you hire a contractor to do the job? Here’s a basic breakdown of all the costs associated with this project.
Paint: $46 per gallon
Primer: $7–$15 per gallon
Ladder: $30 per day (if you have to rent one)
Drop cloths (to protect your lawn): $10–$30
Tape: $5 per roll (covers 180 feet)
Power washer: $35–$100 per day (if you have to rent one)
Labor: $150–$350 per hour
What Factors Influence the Cost to Paint Aluminum Siding?
There are a few key factors that will affect how much you spend on this project.
DIY
One of the biggest factors is whether you'll hire a painter to do the job or attempt to do it yourself. Since much of the cost of this project depends on labor, you can save a lot of money doing it yourself. However, it's a hard job, and you may not do it right, so remember there's a reason people hire professionals to do this work.
In most cases, you should be more focused on hiring the right painting contractor for the job.
Home Size
Another huge factor is how big your house is. The larger a home is, the more siding there is, and therefore the more paint and labor you'll need to get the job done.
Quality of Paint and Primer
Paint can cost between $35 and $70 per gallon depending on the brand you choose, and oil-based primer ranges from $7 to $15 per gallon. As a result, you may save hundreds of dollars by going with the less expensive brands. However, they may not look as good or last as long.
Labor Costs
Labor costs are one of the biggest factors affecting the price as they can range from $150 to $350 per hour. The difference is potentially thousands of dollars, so be sure to do your research.
Extra Supplies
This generally applies if you're doing the work yourself. If you own a ladder, power washer, and other miscellaneous supplies associated with painting siding, then you're good here. But if you don't, you'll either have to buy or rent those items, which adds costs to the project.
FAQs About Painting Aluminum Siding
Should I paint aluminum siding myself?
That’s up to you. Unlike other jobs like electrical work or plumbing that should almost always be left to a professional, most people can paint siding themselves. However, it is hard work, and if you don’t do the job right, your home either won’t look right, or the paint may not last as long.
Also, there are intricacies to painting metal surfaces. Sometimes, you’ve got to know when to hire a painter and enjoy your Saturday in the easy chair. Look for an exterior painting professional near you to get a consultation.
What kind of primer should I use for painting siding?
Always use oil-based primer for this kind of job. If you use a latex-based primer, the ammonia in the paint will react with the metal, which will cause a build-up of gas and corrosion of the metal.
What other projects should I do at the same time?
This might be a good time to take care of other outdoor projects, like cleaning out gutters, hiring someone to install gutter guards, and doing other maintenance work on your home. If you’ve got the ladder out anyway, you might as well take care of those other things you’ve probably been procrastinating on.
