How much does it cost to paint aluminum siding?
Columbus, OH

How much does it cost to paint aluminum siding?

Columbus, OH

How much does it cost to paint aluminum siding?

$1 – $4 cost per square foot
$1,500 – $7,000total cost for average house

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$1 – $4 cost per square foot

$1,500 – $7,000 total cost for average house


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tara Farmer
Written by
Tara Farmer
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa

Cost to paint aluminum siding

The average cost to paint aluminum siding is $1,500 to $7,000 for an typical house. Painting metal, steel, or aluminum siding costs $1 to $4 per square foot, depending on the surface prep, paint prices, repainting labor, and cleanup.

Cost to paint aluminum siding - chart
Cost to paint aluminum siding - chart
Cost to paint aluminum siding
Home size (square feet) Paintable area (square feet)* Average cost
1,000 – 1,500 800 – 1,200 $1,000 – $4,800
1,500 – 2,000 1,200 – 1,700 $1,200 – $6,800
2,000 – 2,500 1,700 – 2,100 $1,700 – $8,400
2,500 – 3,000 2,100 – 2,500 $2,100 – $10,000
3,000 – 4,000 2,500 – 3,350 $2,500 – $13,400

*Approximate paintable surface area.

  • Paint on aluminum siding lasts 5 to 10 years.

  • Replacing aluminum siding costs $3 to $11 per square foot or $6,300 to $20,100.

  • Painting an aluminum mobile home costs $750 to $4,200.

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Average aluminum siding painting cost

The following table shows the average cost to paint aluminum siding on a house.

Average aluminum siding painting cost - chart
Average aluminum siding painting cost - chart
Average aluminum siding painting cost
National average cost $4,300
Minimum cost $1,100
Maximum cost $10,000
Average cost range $1,500 to $7,000

* Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

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Cost factors to paint aluminum house siding

The following factors affect the cost:

  • Accessibility – Painting a multi-story home costs up to 50% more as it requires more labor and involves extension ladders or scaffolding. A scaffolding permit costs $100 to $300 and is required in most cities.

  • Hazardous material testing – Homes built before 1978 may need lead paint testing and removal:

    • Lead paint testing costs $300 to $600.

    • Lead paint removal costs $8 to $15 per square foot.

  • Removing paint – Paint removal costs $2 to $8 per square foot. Replacing the aluminum siding or cleaning and repainting directly over old paint are more cost-effective options.

  • Labor – Labor makes up 70% to 80% of the total exterior painting cost.

  • Surface prep & cleaning – Power washing costs $90 to $250 for heavily soiled or oxidized siding. Removing the chalky residue caused by oxidation is crucial to a long-lasting paint job.

  • Repairs

    • Siding repair costs $2 to $14 per square foot.

    • Roof eaves repair costs $500 to $2,600 on average.

    • Replacing fascia and soffit trim costs $900 to $6,800.

    • Gutter repair costs $100 to $450.

  • Exterior details

Aluminum siding exterior house painted grey
Aluminum siding exterior house painted grey

Labor cost to paint aluminum siding

The cost to hire a professional painter is $20 to $50 per hour or $200 to $600 per day to paint aluminum siding. Painting an average-sized home typically takes a three-person crew 2 to 4 days, including surface prep, removing loose paint, priming, caulking, painting, and cleanup.

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Painting metal siding and galvanized steel cost

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Painting metal siding costs $1 to $4 per square foot on average but may cost up to $7 per square foot if extra cleaning is required to remove the oil film from new steel before painting. Galvanized steel requires a water-based primer coat before applying acrylic latex paint.

Cost to repaint aluminum siding vs. replacing

Replacing aluminum siding costs $3 to $11 per square foot or $6,300 to $20,100, including old siding removal and disposal. Consider repairing and painting aluminum siding if the damage is minor. Replacing one section is difficult to color match to the original siding due to weather and fading.

Repaint vs. replacing aluminum siding
Service Cost per square foot Average cost*
Painting $1 – $4 $1,700 – $6,800
Replacing $3 – $11 $6,300 – $20,100

*Based on a 2,000 square foot house.

Aluminum siding paint prices

Aluminum siding paint prices are $30 to $80 per gallon on average. One gallon of exterior paint covers 250 to 400 square feet with one coat.

Oil-based primer costs $20 to $50 per gallon and is required when painting bare aluminum or updating to a lighter color. One gallon of primer covers 200 to 300 square feet.

Aluminum siding paint prices
Paint or primer type Price per gallon Coverage (square feet)
Exterior paint $30 – $80 250 – 400
Oil-based primer $20 – $50 200 – 300

  • Dirt-resistant paints are ideal for city homes.

  • Moisture-resistant paints combat mold and mildew and are best for rural or shaded homes.

Aluminum siding paint prices by brand

The best brands of paint for aluminum siding include Behr, Benjamin Moor, Valspar, and Sherwin-Williams.

Aluminum siding paint prices by brand
Brand Price per gallon Dirt Resistant Moisture resistant
Behr Premium Plus $30 – $40   ✓
Behr Ultra $40 – $50 ✓  
Behr Marquee $50 – $60 ✓  
Benjamin Moore $50 – $80   ✓
Clark + Kensington $40 – $50 ✓ ✓
Pittsburgh Paints (PPG Timeless) $20 – $50   ✓
Sherwin-Williams $40 – $70   ✓
Valspar DuraMax $40 – $50   ✓

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Other painting materials required

Other aluminum painting material costs
Item Average cost
Drop cloths $10 – $30
Extension pole $10 – $30
Ladder $50 – $350
Painters Tape (per roll) $2 – $8
Surface protection film or paper (200') $20 – $50
Paint rollers, brushes, and pans (per set) $20 – $50

Painting aluminum siding pros and cons

Painting aluminum siding is cost-effective to refresh its appearance and extend its life, but Painting the siding may void its warranty and increase maintenance requirements.

Painting aluminum siding pros and cons
Pros Cons
  • Cheaper and quicker than siding replacement
  • Adds curb appeal
  • Temporarily hides small imperfections
  • Preserves original home appearance
  • Many color options
  • Labor intensive
  • May void the siding warranty
  • Surface preparation required to remove chalky oxidation
  • Repainting is needed every 5 to 10 years
  • Aluminum siding is no longer in style.

Aluminum siding painting FAQs

Can you DIY a siding painting project?

You can paint aluminum siding as a DIY project. However, it requires intensive labor, renting a power washer and paint sprayer, and removing the oxidation film before painting. The recommended spray method for painting aluminum siding also requires special equipment and skill.

How long does paint last on aluminum siding?

Paint on aluminum siding lasts 5 to 10 years on average. Homes in mild climates with infrequent severe weather typically do not need repainting as often.

What are signs your aluminum siding needs to be repainted or replaced?

Paint aluminum siding that is fading or oxidized to refresh its appearance and hide minor imperfections. Consider replacing the siding if it has significant damage.

Signs to repaint or replace aluminum siding
Paint siding if: Replace siding if:
  • Siding is dull or faded.
  • Siding develops a chalky powder layer from oxidation.
  • Siding has only minor dents or cosmetic imperfections.
  • Siding is less than 50 years old and still in good condition.
  • Siding has major damage, large dents, or loose panels.
  • Frequent maintenance is needed from fading, chipping, or peeling.
  • Interior wall damage like wallpaper peeling or water stains occurs with no internal cause.
  • Utility bills increase from poor insulation or seam separation.

What kind of paint is best to use on aluminum siding?

The best paint to use on aluminum siding is 100% acrylic latex paint with a low-gloss or flat finish to hide imperfections. Bare aluminum also requires an oil-based or self-etching primer to prevent premature paint bubbling from a chemical reaction between the aluminum and the paint.

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

The average cost to paint an aluminum mobile home is $750 to $4,200, including labor and materials. Painting a mobile home yourself costs $250 to $750 and takes 2 to 5 days of labor, depending on the size.

How much does it cost to replace aluminum siding with vinyl?

Replacing aluminum siding with vinyl siding costs $5,500 to $17,200 for a typical 2,000-square-foot home. This cost includes the aluminum siding removal and disposal and the new vinyl siding installation.

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Hiring a painter for aluminum siding

Before hiring local home painting contractors, remember to:

  • Get 3 to 5 detailed estimates to compare.

  • Look for licensed and insured painters with experience painting aluminum.

  • When also painting the roof, look for contractors with experience painting both roofing and siding.

  • Ask for references or a portfolio of past projects to see how their work holds up over the long term.

  • Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for more than five years.

  • Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.

  • Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.

  • Never pay in full before the project starts. Use a payment plan instead for work completed.

Questions to ask

  • Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

  • What experience do you have painting aluminum?

  • Do you have a portfolio of your previous paint jobs?

  • What brand of exterior paint do you recommend, and why?

  • Is a primer coat required?

  • Does self-priming paint work as well as a separate primer?

  • What's your most-used color for exterior paint?

  • How long should the paint job last?

  • Is there a warranty, and if so, what does it include?

  • How long will the job take?

  • How long will the paint take to dry?

  • What is and is not included in the estimate?

  • What additional costs should I expect?

  • Do you need a permit to paint aluminum siding? If so, do you handle the permitting process?