If you’re looking for ways to revitalize the exterior of your commercial business, a new coat of paint may be the answer. Painting is a fairly easy and fast way to upgrade the space without making major structural changes, and it can impress your existing customers or draw the eyes of new customers.

Many business owners are unsure of how to paint commercial siding. For the best results, you should hire a commercial painting contractor in Tampa who has the tools and knowledge to get the job done efficiently. You probably won’t damage the siding if you paint it with the wrong materials or techniques, but you could waste your time and money.

Here is everything you need to know if you’re thinking about painting the siding of your Tampa FL business:

Metal Commercial Siding

Metal is one of the most common materials used in commercial siding. Its durability and versatility are very appealing for many business owners, but it requires care when painting.

In the daytime, the Florida heat can cause the metal to expand. At night, the opposite occurs, and the metal contracts. Typically, this doesn’t cause problems for the building. However, when painting the surface, the repeated expanding and contracting could cause cracks to form in the paint.

Your commercial painting contractor will combat this by choosing the right coatings for metal siding. The best options are highly flexible, which allows them to expand and contract alongside the metal surface. Metal coatings should also be resistant to fading as the heat and sunlight can cause rapid fading on some types of paints.

Another consideration is the shade you select. Dark colors absorb more heat, and light colors are more resistant to solar radiation. For a commercial building, dark metal siding may get significantly hotter than siding painted a lighter shade. Sticking to lighter colors can make climate control much easier inside the building.

If you want the siding to look like the original factory finish, your painter may need to add an extra coat of paint or enamel. Industrial paints typically don’t use the pigments needed to achieve the factory finish look, but a high gloss enamel coating could look close to the original.

Vinyl Commercial Siding

Vinyl commercial siding resembles sidings on residential homes. It’s fairly durable and low maintenance, so it’s a great option for many types of commercial buildings.

If your commercial building has vinyl siding, you should know that dirt and pollutants can build up on the surface over time. Fortunately, pressure washing can remove most of this material and leave you with siding that looks brand new. Before beginning the painting project, you should wash the siding so that you’re starting with a clean slate. This will help the final result look immaculate.

In most cases, the best type of paint for vinyl siding is latex acrylic paint. This paint is sensitive to harsh weather conditions as it settles, though, so your painter will have to complete the project on a clear and mild day. If the weather gets too hot or humid, the paint may not dry appropriately.

Other Types of Siding

While metal and vinyl are the two most common types of siding, some businesses use other materials. For example, wood, composite, and masonry are used for commercial buildings in some areas.

Sometimes, these materials are used for their aesthetic appeal, especially if the buildings are historic. In this case, it may not be wise to paint the siding as that can diminish the historic charm of the structure. If you decide to go through with a painting project to touch up certain areas of the building’s exterior, it’s important that you hire a professional to get the best possible results.

One of the more popular materials in Florida is stucco, which can be applied to stone or brick. A fresh coat of paint can look great on a stucco building, but any cracks or chips in the surface must be repaired first. If the stucco is professionally laid with few imperfections, it can last for the building’s lifetime with very little maintenance.

Waterproofing

No type of siding is completely immune to water damage. Florida’s hurricane season may put your building at an especially big risk of water penetration, so waterproofing is a necessary step after your painting project is complete. To fully protect the building from damage, you should waterproof the walls, roof, siding, and foundation.

A fresh coat of paint on the siding of your commercial building can make a big difference in its appearance. Whether the siding is metal, vinyl, stucco, or any other material, a professional paint job can cover up imperfections and make the building look new again. Different materials require different painting procedures, though, so you and your commercial painter should make a plan based on what type of siding you have.

Shepard Contractors is a commercial painting business serving clients in Tampa FL. Our team is experienced, professional, and knowledgeable on both exterior and interior painting jobs for businesses. If you’re considering painting your building’s siding or embarking on a commercial interior painting project, reach out to us today to learn more about our services.