How to Protect Your Vinyl or Metal Siding from Major Rust Damage

March 18, 2021

When it comes to your home’s siding and exterior paint, rust can spell tragedy– and expensive replacements. It’s not just unappealing to the eye, it also reduces the integrity of your home or building. It is critical to protect your vinyl and metal siding from major rust damage before disaster strikes. Rust damage is more common than you may realize, so it’s best to make simple investments now to save you time and money in the future.

What to Know About Siding Rust

What Causes Rust

Especially after a long, cold winter, it isn’t unusual to see some rust left behind on your untreated metal or vinyl siding. Rust is caused by exposure to oxygen and moisture. As temperatures rise and fall in the winter, it is inevitable that your siding will be exposed to moisture from melting snow. This moisture, combined with the salt typically used to melt snow and ice throughout the winter, can spell disaster.

You will immediately notice how unsightly rust is, but when left untreated, rust can eat away at your siding and compromise your home’s exterior in ways you can’t even see for years. When rust wears away at your home or building overtime, you risk high heating bills from degrading insulation, animals creeping in, health risks like tetanus, and a whole host of issues that can arise when your home’s exterior siding isn’t secure. It is critical to take every step possible to protect your home from the danger of rust damage.

Protecting Your Siding

Protecting your siding begins before damage starts. If you are already noticing damage to your siding or exterior home painting, hiring professional services for surface restoration should be your first step to clear away damage and corrosion. This way, you can rebuild from a clean surface and protect your assets for years to come.

Once you and your surface restoration experts get rid of the degradation on your home’s exterior, our experienced technicians can get to work protecting your siding against the elements in the future. Our painting contractors will apply fresh paint, primers, or coatings to meet the needs of your home. These coatings help to seal in your siding and resist the damage from a brutal winter.

In some circumstances, your siding, or portions of it, may be beyond repair. In this case, our team of professionals will work with you to develop the best plan for replacing your siding and protecting against any future damage.

Contact ELCO Painting Today!

The winter is harsh for those who love warmer temperatures, but it may be harshest on your home’s exterior. If you want to protect your home against the dangerous rust that can crop up after winter, give the professionals a call. For an expert opinion, contact ELCO Painting today.

ELCO Painting is more than just an industrial painting company. We offer home painting services and services for commercial and industrial buildings in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Southern Massachusetts. Whatever your painting and restoration needs are, we have the tools and professionals to get the job done. Check us out online , or call us today at 401-329-0910 to experience the ELCO difference!

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Project Spotlight: Sandblasting a Historic Mill Building in Chelsea, MA

September 29, 2025

Like many historic mills in New England , this building carried the weight of decades: peeling paint, dust, grime, and coatings that had long since lost their integrity. Ceilings, brick walls, and wood columns were all hidden beneath layers of paint that dulled the building’s original character. Simply painting over the old surfaces wasn’t an option. To get it ready for renovation, and its next phase of life as modern apartments, the space needed to be stripped back to its bones, restored, and sealed. That’s where our specialized sandblasting services came in. The Process: Sandblasting, Step by Step Sandblasting is as much about precision as it is about power. For this project, we worked floor by floor over three levels, using specialized equipment to remove years of buildup. Protecting the space. Before blasting, we set up containment to control dust and debris, ensuring the process stayed safe and efficient. Stripping surfaces. Using the right abrasive medium and calibrated pressure, we blasted away paint from the ceilings, brick, and wooden support columns. The goal wasn’t to erase history but to reveal it; to uncover the original materials while preserving their integrity. Revealing character. Once stripped, the natural beauty of the brick and timber shone through, showing off the craftsmanship that had been hidden for years. It never gets old!

Cabinet Paint Color Inspiration for Your Rhode Island Home

September 17, 2025

Looking for cabinet color inspiration? Explore trending blues, greens, and whites, and see why painting is a smart alternative to full replacement.

Cabinet Painting in North Kingstown – Is It Right for Your Kitchen?

August 19, 2025

In North Kingstown, the kitchen is often the busiest room in the house; part cooking space, part gathering spot, part drop zone for everything from school backpacks to yesterday’s mail. Which also means your cabinets can start to show the battle scars over time: faded finishes, chipped corners, and maybe a mystery stain or two. When that happens, you’re faced with a choice: replace your cabinets entirely or give them a professional paint makeover? Well, when done right, painting can actually transform your kitchen, extend the life of your cabinetry, AND cost far less than a full remodel! (Plus, it spares you from spending weeks reheating dinner in the laundry room). Why Cabinet Painting? Painting your cabinets can give your kitchen a fresh, modern look without the price tag (or demolition dust) of a full remodel. Some of the biggest benefits include: Cost savings: On average, cabinet painting costs 50 to 70% less than full replacement. Less disruption: Most professional cabinet painting projects take 4 to 7 days, and your kitchen stays mostly functional during the process. A full replacement can take 3 to 6 weeks or longer. Eco-friendly: Reusing your existing cabinets can prevent hundreds of pounds of wood, metal, and composite materials from ending up in a landfill. Customization: Choose any color, from crisp whites to bold blues, for a personalized style. Think of it as the difference between buying an entirely new wardrobe or just getting your clothes tailored and dry-cleaned. Both improve your look, but one is a lot gentler on your wallet.

Year-Round Exterior Painting & Maintenance Tips for Rhode Island Businesses

July 30, 2025

Rhode Island weather doesn’t go easy on buildings. Between salty winters, humid summers, and everything in between, your commercial property’s exterior is working overtime just to keep up appearances. That’s why we put together this seasonal checklist to help you stay ahead of the wear and tear. Whether you manage a restaurant, retail storefront, office building, or high-traffic hospitality space, staying proactive with exterior maintenance protects your investment, boosts curb appeal, and keeps your business looking as sharp as the service you offer. Let’s walk through what to watch for, season by season. Spring: Refresh and Recover After a long winter, spring is about repair and renewal. Snow, salt, and ice can take a toll on every surface, so now’s the time to clean up and fix the damage. What to focus on: Inspect roofing and flashing for signs of water intrusion, missing shingles, or debris buildup. Clean out gutters and downspouts so spring rain drains properly instead of pooling. Power wash sidewalks and patios to remove grime, salt, and mildew. Touch up or repaint worn areas of your façade, signage, or trim, especially if peeling paint is visible. Inspect windows and doors for broken seals or cracked glass. Refresh landscaping to reframe your exterior with clean lines and healthy greenery. Pro tip: Spring moisture can hide mildew in shaded areas. If power washing doesn’t cut it, a repaint with the right mildew-resistant coating will make a big difference.

Project Spotlight: A Fast-Track Warehouse Repaint in Warwick, RI

July 17, 2025

We’re excited to share a recent commercial repaint that really showcases what Elco Painting is all about: efficiency, precision, and of course, a top quality finish. This project took us to Warwick, Rhode Island, where we tackled a full warehouse repaint with a tight two-week turnaround. Yes, it was a big space. And yes it was a tight timeline. But too much for us to handle? Not a chance! Let’s walk you through how we made it happen and why projects like this are such a good fit for our team. The Scope: A Full-Scale Commercial Warehouse Repaint Commercial warehouses don’t paint themselves, and this one was ready for a fresh coat. We were brought in to transform the look and feel of the space, inside and out. Here’s what was involved: Ceiling spray application with dry fall paint. We used this specialized product for fast coverage and minimal cleanup. Dry fall is ideal for high ceilings. Basically overspray dries before it hits the ground, meaning less mess and more control. Bright white repainting of walls and overheads. Clean white brings instant brightness to a space like this, improving lighting and making everything feel more modern and organized. Bold orange accents on beams and columns. This was a standout design decision. It not only gave the space a pop of color but also helped define structural elements visually, which can be a big plus in busy, high-traffic facilities. We knew the clock was ticking, and planning was everything. From mobilizing the right crew to choosing the right materials, we coordinated every phase of the project to meet the deadline without cutting corners. Watch the quick video below to see a before, during, and after perspective!

Deck Staining vs. Painting: Which Is Better for Your Outdoor Space?

By Christine Lekberg • June 30, 2025

When it comes to sprucing up your deck , you’ll eventually run into The Question. You know the one: “Should I stain my deck… or paint it?” It’s a tough call. Both options offer protection. Both can look great. And both come with their own baggage. In this post, we’re unpacking the pros, cons, and all the murky in-between so you can confidently choose the finish that fits your deck and your sanity. No deep YouTube rabbit holes required. The Basics: What’s the Real Difference? Before you can pick sides, you’ve gotta know the players. Stain and paint may both live in the same aisle at the hardware store, but they’re totally different animals when it comes to how they treat your wood. Let’s break down what each one actually does. Staining soaks into the wood, enhancing its natural beauty, letting the wood grain shine through. Painting, on the other hand, coats the surface, covering blemishes and adding color. Want a white deck? Navy blue? Go for it. Just remember: you’re covering the wood grain entirely. Durability: Does Paint or Stain Last Longer On a Deck? Let’s not sugarcoat it: paint is more durable, especially the high-quality exterior kind. It forms a thick barrier that helps repel UV rays, moisture, and other deck-destroying villains. Stain isn’t as robust, but it’s no slouch either. Oil-based stains offer solid protection and tend to wear away gradually, which sounds bad, but it’s actually easier to manage. So who wins? If your deck gets a lot of sun or moisture, paint does last longer. But that doesn’t mean it’s always the better choice…

How to Prepare Your Building for Summer Painting Projects: Tips for RI Property Owners

May 18, 2025

When the days get longer and the weather warms up, it’s not just beachgoers and boaters heading outside; it’s painting crews, too. Summer is prime time for giving your building a facelift, whether it’s a touch-up or a full exterior repaint . But before you break out the color swatches and book a crew, there’s one thing you need to know: good painting starts with great prep. Whether you own a commercial building in Providence, manage a multi-family property in Warwick, or run a boutique storefront, this guide will help you get your building paint-ready, so your summer project finishes on time, on budget, and without the “uh-oh” surprises. Assess Before You Address Before anyone shows up with a paint sprayer, it’s time to take a walk around the building. What’s peeling? What’s faded? What’s quietly rotting behind the trim like a summer horror story? Paint won’t stick to problems; it just hides them for a minute. So check for things like wood rot, water damage, cracks in siding, or loose trim. If you spot anything questionable, now’s the time to call in a pro. Plan Your Exterior Repaint Around the Weather (Because It’s Rhode Island, After All) Summer may be painting season, but let’s be honest: Rhode Island weather has a flair for the dramatic. One minute it’s sunny and dry, the next it’s 85 degrees with 90% humidity and a surprise thunderstorm thrown in just because. Paint loves stable weather—ideally between 50° and 85°F, with low humidity and no rain in the forecast. So plan your project with a bit of buffer time. Don’t schedule tight deadlines that hinge on a perfect 3-day stretch. Spoiler: Mother Nature does not care about your calendar.