Wood is the wall Providence is built of. Clapboard and cedar shingles cover most houses, often with vinyl or aluminum added later. Brick is found on mill buildings, storefronts and some row houses. Stucco is rare. This page takes them in that order.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
What paint is best on wood siding, and will paint fix dry cracked wood?
A quality acrylic exterior paint over a suitable primer is the best choice on wood siding. Paint will not fix dry, cracked wood, but it will protect it. Fine surface checks are filled by primer and two coats. Boards that are split through or cupped need repair or replacing first. Dry, grey wood must be sanded back to sound fibers and primed, or the new paint peels with the dead layer under it.
National figures put painting wood siding at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot and its paint life at 3 to 7 years.
How much does it cost to paint a cedar shingle house?
No national figure is published for cedar shingles alone. The published range for wood siding is $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot. Shingles sit toward the slower end, because the rough face and the gaps between shingles soak up paint or stain and take longer to coat.
Cedar shingles are common on Providence houses and all around Narragansett Bay. They can be left to weather, stained or painted. Stain soaks in and does not peel, so it is easier to renew. Once shingles are painted, they have to stay painted.
Can you paint vinyl siding?
Yes, you can paint vinyl siding if it is sound and clean. It needs a thorough wash and an acrylic paint made to bond to vinyl. National figures put the cost at $1 to $3 per square foot on HomeGuide's vinyl page, or $1,500 to $5,000 for an average house, and the paint life at 5 to 10 years.
Can vinyl siding be painted a darker color, or will it warp?
A much darker color can make vinyl warp. Dark paint absorbs more heat than the siding was designed for, and the panels buckle. The safe choices are a color no darker than the original, or a paint line that the maker lists as safe for vinyl in darker shades.
Does painting vinyl siding void the warranty?
It can. Many vinyl siding warranties exclude painted siding or cover only the original finish. If your siding is still under warranty, read the document or ask the maker before painting. On older siding the warranty has usually run out and there is nothing to lose.
Can you paint aluminum siding?
Yes. Aluminum siding takes paint very well once the chalk is washed off. The old factory finish turns to powder with age, and that powder has to go before paint will hold. Bare metal spots are primed. National figures put the cost at $1 to $4 per square foot, or $1,500 to $7,000 for an average house, and the paint life at 5 to 10 years.
Is painting brick a bad idea, and does it trap moisture?
It can be a bad idea. Brick takes in water and has to dry out again, and ordinary paint can trap that moisture in the brick. In a climate with as much freeze and thaw as Rhode Island's, trapped water can make brick faces flake and paint peel. If brick is to be painted, the mortar must be sound and the coating must be made for masonry and able to breathe.
National figures put painting brick at $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot, or $2,000 to $8,000 for an average house. Removing paint from brick later is listed at $1.50 to $9.50 per square foot.
Should I paint my brick or leave it natural?
Leave it natural if the brick is in good shape and has never been painted. Unpainted brick needs almost no upkeep, and paint is a permanent choice that needs repainting. The Providence Historic District Commission's guidelines also say it is preferable to leave masonry unpainted unless it was painted originally. If your brick is already painted, repainting is usually the practical course.
Can you paint stucco, and what paint sticks to it?
Yes, stucco can be painted, with a masonry primer and acrylic or elastomeric paint made for it. Stucco is uncommon on Providence houses. Where we see it, it is usually on a few early 1900s homes or as parging on a foundation. National figures put stucco painting at $1.00 to $5.50 per square foot, or $2,400 to $8,100 for an average house.
Do hairline cracks in stucco need fixing first?
Yes. Hairline cracks are filled with a flexible masonry patch or bridged by an elastomeric coating before painting. Left open, they let in water, which freezes and widens them in a Rhode Island winter. Wider cracks or loose stucco need a mason.
How often does stucco need painting?
As to how often stucco needs repainting, the published national figure is every 5 to 7 years. Check it each spring for new cracks after the winter.
A free on-site estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (401) 414-4566.