Doors and Windows - vynl window trim

A basic questions about viynl window trim...I just talked to someone about windows for the house. The color choices for the window trim isn't very good. I asked the guy if the vinyl window trim could be painted and he said the paint won't stick for very long. I thought that primer would stick to anything and anything that is primed could be painted. Isn't that true? is there another way to get these painted?

I'm not quite sure if you are asking about painting the vinyl windows, or the exterior trim that surrounds a window. Vinyl windows usually come in just a few standard colors: white, beige, and maybe a couple shades of brown. Painting vinyl windows is not recommended, mainly because it will void the window warranty.

Some windows have nailing fins, and if that is the type of window you are getting, then there needs to be a piece of trim that will cover up that nailing fin. It can be wood... or some other material, like Miritec composite or Azek cellular pvc. Some people use the vinyl brickmould that you see in big box stores, but that stuff is not very high quality and is hard to make look good.

Many carpenters will just install some type of wood trim, and then cover it with aluminum trim coil, because aluminum trim coil comes in almost any siding color that is known to man. Some aluminum trim coil is painted, some is covered with a PVC coating, some has a "no mar" grainy texture.

There is also a type of coil that is made from vinyl called pro-trim, but I've never used it. Some people use that vinyl coil to cover trim.

So I guess I'm not quite sure what you are asking, and it makes it hard to know how to answer. Maybe something above will help clarify what exactly you are asking?

Viny window manufacturers offer light colors because dark colors absorb heat. Heat causes vinyl to expand and possibly warp and sag under the weight of the glass. So, a vinyl window in a dark decorator color would not be a good thing. Painting a vinyl window a dark color would not be a good thing. The white, off white, almond vinyl colors are for a reason.

If you want color, then go with windows that are vinyl on the inside and aluminum on the outside. Aluminum comes in both light and dark colors. If you have the budget to spring for a custom color, then they will do that for you. Actually, the vinyl/aluminum windows tend to be more sturdy and to be more resistant to entry. The painted aluminum comes with a fade warranty, and it can be repainted in 15-20 years. And, they cost more.

As suggested above, painting vinyl windows is not recommended, but vinyl trim can be painted. Dark colors are not recommended. Go to a paint store, preferrably not big box, they will know the right paint to use, and always use a compatable primer.

I did some more reading on this today and learned what some pointed out: vinyl can't be painted too dark or it will absorb too much heat and warp.

What I am talking about painting is the trim that is installed to cover the edges of the new vinyl window. I see the window person today so I will ask what that material is made of. I remember seeing something that is mostly metal and has a colored coating. He said it was vinyl on top of the metal but I need to make sure, in any case if I can get paint to stick to that then I should be OK with a dark color...since that is mostly metal and not vinyl.

I read on the internet about using a top-of-the-line exterior 100% acrylic latex house paint and that the acrylic latex paints can stick to vinyl OK.

Maybe this will help you guys with the questions you had...but I still have a few questions from the window company I need answered.

Thanks.

He may have been showing you samples of PVC coated aluminum trim coil. You could paint it, but it is available in many different colors- surely he could find you a color that suits your taste.