Most Miami buildings are stucco over concrete block, so stucco comes first on this page. Vinyl, aluminum, brick and wood siding are less common here, but we answer for them too.
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.
Can you paint stucco, and what paint sticks to it?
Yes, you can paint stucco, and acrylic masonry paint and elastomeric coatings both stick to it well. The stucco must be clean, dry, cured and free of chalk first.
Bare or very chalky stucco gets a masonry primer or sealer. Paint is best sprayed and then rolled into the texture. HomeGuide publishes stucco painting at $1.00 to $5.50 per square foot.
Do hairline cracks in stucco need fixing first?
Yes. Hairline cracks should be sealed before painting, because they let rain into the wall. Very fine cracks can be bridged by an elastomeric coating or a brush-grade patching compound. Wider cracks are opened, filled with a flexible sealant and textured to match.
Cracks at window corners and where an addition meets the house are normal on Miami block homes. A crack that is wide, stepped or growing may be structural and should be looked at by an engineer or a stucco contractor before it is painted.
How often does stucco need painting?
Stucco needs painting about every 5 to 7 years, by HomeGuide's published figure. In Miami, sun exposure and distance from salt water set where a house falls.
Rub the wall. White powder on your hand means the paint is breaking down and it is time.
Can you paint concrete block walls and garden walls?
Yes. Bare concrete block is very porous and takes a block filler first, then two coats of masonry paint. Perimeter walls and planters in Miami often show white salts or peeling near the ground.
That comes from water moving through the wall from the soil side. Paint alone will not stop it. Fixing drainage and sprinklers comes first.
Can you paint vinyl siding?
Yes, you can paint vinyl siding with an acrylic paint made for vinyl, once it is washed. Vinyl siding is rare on Miami houses. HomeGuide publishes $1 to $3 per square foot to paint it.
Can vinyl siding be painted a darker color, or will it warp?
Vinyl can warp if it is painted a darker color with ordinary paint. Dark colors absorb heat, and vinyl buckles when it gets too hot. That risk is higher in Florida sun.
Stay at or lighter than the original color, or use a paint line made in vinyl-safe darker colors.
Does painting vinyl siding void the warranty?
It can. Some siding makers say that painting voids the warranty, and others allow it with conditions. Read the warranty for your siding or ask the maker before you paint.
Can you paint aluminum siding, awnings and shutters?
Yes. Aluminum siding takes paint well. It is washed to remove chalk, bare metal is primed and it is finished with acrylic paint. The same goes for the aluminum awnings, panels and trim found on many older Miami homes.
HomeGuide publishes aluminum siding painting at $1 to $4 per square foot.
Is painting brick a bad idea, and does it trap moisture?
Painting brick is not a bad idea when the brick is dry and sound, but paint can trap moisture in the brick if water is getting in from behind or above. Trapped moisture pushes the paint off and can damage the brick face.
Use a breathable masonry paint or a mineral coating. Brick is uncommon in Miami and is mostly a decorative band or planter on mid-century houses. HomeGuide publishes brick painting at $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
Should I paint my brick or leave it natural?
Leave it natural if you like the brick and it is in good shape, because painting is hard to undo. Paint your brick if it is stained, mismatched or already painted.
Once brick is painted it needs repainting like any other wall. HomeGuide lists limewash at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot as a softer, more breathable option.
What paint is best on wood siding, and will paint fix dry, cracked wood?
A top grade acrylic paint over an exterior wood primer is best on wood siding. Paint will not fix dry, cracked wood. It seals small surface checks, but split boards keep moving and the cracks return.
Replace split boards, prime bare wood and caulk the joints first. HomeGuide publishes wood siding painting at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot and gives painted wood siding a life of 3 to 7 years. In Miami's sun and rain, wood needs the closest watch of any wall.
How much does it cost to paint a cedar shingle house?
No published figure exists for cedar shingles on their own, so we give no number. The nearest national figure is $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot for wood siding. Shingles take more paint or stain than flat boards because of their edges and gaps.
Cedar shingle walls are very rare in South Florida. If you have them, ask us for a visit.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (786) 745-7109.