Window colors

[Anonymous]

The current windows on our house are beige on the outside. We have two we need to get replaced ASAP. We will probably be looking at replacing almost all the windows in about a year to year and a half. Pulling the trigger on all of them is not an option right now. We will need to put in beige on the two being replaced so they don't look weird. If we decide we later want the windows to look white on the outside, is that something that can get painted or would that end up looking bad and not lasting?

[Anonymous]

I don't think you can paint vinyl windows, but you can paint wood ones. Wood ones, of course, cost more.

How much of an emergency are the two windows that need replacing? Is there a way to temporarily repair them so you can replace all windows at the same time? That way you can get the color you want. Also I think you usually get a better price when you do them all at once vs in stages.

[Anonymous]

Your only option would be painted wood windows which will cost you much more in the long run with a lifetime of scraping and painting. UGH.

You can do fiberglass frames, they come in infinate colors, but cost a pretty penny, but are the very best in quality and efficiency one can purchase.

Who cares what it looks like? Just go with white and when they are all replaced they will match.

[Anonymous]

OP you will get lots of different opinions from painters and contractors. I am not a professional of either group, so please don't take my advice over someone you trust. But, having done this before on an investment property, I painted some beige vinyl windows white and it seemed to work fine. From what I read and heard (admittedly googling and listening to old vets at Sherwin Williams kvetch) it appears that painting the factory-colored windows as LIGHTER color is okay, but a DARKER color could produce problems with the way the vinyl heats when exposed to the sun.

If you do decide to paint, thoroughly clean the frames and let dry, and use a latex or alkyd paint or special vinyl paint. SW sells (or used to sell) a special vinyl paint for siding, this is probably your best bet.

[Anonymous]

If you really are going to replace all the windows in the next year or so and think that white looks best on your house, just get white now. My neighbor is doing that now. The older windows look somewhat odd, but the whole place will look great when he finishes.