This is done on a regular basis these days, although mostly at the factory. The correct prep, primer, and paint is crucial for both adhesion and reflective properties to avoid the the heat issues that would create the failure. The age and quality of the windows should be factored, as well as the fact that the manufacturer will likely void the window warranty regardless of whether the right materials are used or not... I believe that Sherwin Williams offers a decent product that can fit the job.

First choice would be to paint the trim or cap it in a different color and leave the Windows white assuming you have trim ion your Windows. I would recommend only the painting of the frame of the window and leave the sashes. This would be simple and you would not have to worry about friction on the moving parts. Paint tends to bond pretty well to properly prepped vinyl, I would also recommend sherwin Williams product with the reflective qualities needed.

+1. I would first see, like Todd said, if you can't get the look you want with capping.

While Sherwin makes a decent product, black is certainly the most difficult of the paint color spectrum when it comes to vinyl so you are going to be pushing the limitations of that paint with that color.

Thanks guys, though I'm more confused now. What I'm saying is that, we wanted to paint the window sashes on our white vinyl windows black. They have no cross hatches, they're just full lite rectangles. Every painter who came out said that we can't paint our white vinyl window sashes black as the change in color from white to black is too great of a difference and our vinyl sashes will fail very quickly due to excess heat that the white vinyl wasn't made to withstand due to the extra heat absorption black creates. We aren't worried about voiding any warranties as I'd guess our windows were replaced quite a while ago and were on the house when we purchased it. We DO want to avoid having them all fail in several years because we opted for painting them black. HomeSealed - are you saying that you WOULD feel comfortable painting perhaps decade+ white vinyl sashes black?

Here's a picture attached of the look we're going for. Black sashes gives just enough depth to the windows that without shutters, they still look finished AND lean a modern edge. Whereas ours now, pure white house and white windows without shutters, looks unfinished and stark at times.

So, my question as - assuming that painting the white window sashes is not going to work without drastically shortening the lives of our already somewhat aging vinyl windows, is "wrapping" the white vinyl sashes with a black vinyl overlay possible? I was guessing it'd be a similar process to wrapping a car in vinyl or wheels (another picture attached) but in this case it'd be window sashes... or would I be inheriting the same issues with black vinyl on top of white vinyl, just now perhaps while also paying more than simple paint?

[EDIT] - found this company: "Window Wraps - UPVC Window Wraps" on FB located in the UK. This is exactly what I was trying to find - any of you guys have any experience or heard of similar products? Maybe it's only good in the UK where they don't have such hot weather that would cause vinyl failures? Picture attached from their FB page. https://www.facebook.com/upvcwindowwraps/

Not familiar enough with the composition of vinyl wrapping material to comment intelligently with certainty, however, I would suspect that it would not be advisable. 1) Due to the friction, and 2) it likely doesn't have much in the way of reflective properties.

Regarding the paint, I regularly order and install white vinyl windows with a very dark exterior like black or bronze. Factory paint job. I have a few units in service that used Sherwin bronze, applied by a professional painter. No issues to speak of. The simple thought that "white vinyl can't withstand the black paint" is outdated at this point due to advances in the technology of the paint even so more than the windows. That said, again, I really can't say with confidence that your windows will not have issues. There is a pretty broad spectrum of quality when it comes to vinyl windows, and unfortunately the highest volume of product in service is not on the high end. A lower grade product with thinner vinyl walls, cost saving design, etc will be more susceptible to issues due to heat. Throw 10+ years of sun and weather into the mix, and your guess is as good as mine. The one thing that I will say, is that it would only expedite the process of needing new windows if they weren't very good to start. I know that sounds like a typical window salesman thing to say, but it is the truth.

I have to add, I do agree with the pros above regarding superior options for adding some contrast. Adding black trim around the windows can get you close to what you are looking for, and would be a no-worry option. That could include cladding the trim around the window with black aluminum, or simply painting whatever is there. I'm not sure that painting the vinyl frame and not the sashes would be all the much more effective visually than doing only the trim, but that would be the middle step between trim only and full window including sash

Ah, gotcha. Unfortunately, my local Sherwin Williams store also said that they would strongly discourage painting our white vinyl sashes black even if using their "vinyl safe" paint line and said that the normal warranty that accompanies that product would not be valid if jumping that far along the color spectrum. I meant to mention that in the original post - which is why I had abandoned the idea of paint possibilities on the sashes. Thanks for your info HomeSealed.

HomeSealed is correct in that we use dark bronze painted vinyl windows quite often around these parts. Granted, we aren't Texas/Arizona, but it does get North of 100 degrees here.

Biggest difference is going to be between the factory applied paints and the aftermarket paints done In situ. White I was skeptical when it was first launched, we have 15 year old painted windows (black and bronze) that look as good as the day they went in.

Dark bronze is instead of black? Or that's just what's a popular color? I'd assume there isn't a huge difference heat / risk wise jumping from dark bronze to black? Im not diehard set on black, anything that could give that blackish look would be great.

I'm in western NC in the mountains so our temperatures are relatively temperate, hottest month is early sept, highs in lower 90's, rarely anything hotter, lots of humidity, most summer is upper 70's - mid and upper 80's. So it's sounding like perhaps it's not the riskiest proposition in the world then to paint?

mgmindustries.com has some good info on painting vinyl.

What if you picked a lighter color to paint the windows? Maybe something in a mid green color, gray or dark tan? Or even a "wild" color? It would still give you some definition without having to go so dark. The beauty of a MCM home is that they did use some more "wild" colors and made it work.

Check with the manufacture of your windows. See if there is a warranty issue. I am in SF and have had several window people come here pushing Vinyl, with impact glass which is heavy. Didn't seem like a good idea to me but they offered so many warrantee protections, which included extending to the next buyer of the home. That said, I am glad I didn't go with the vinyl cause now several years later and given time to have issues arise in our heat extremes they are sagging from the weight of the glass. To my point, you don't want to void any warrantees if you have them available to you. 2nd don't compromise the vinyl windows, have someone fabricate a frame for you to place just a fraction in front of the windows and clip/caulk to the surrounding walls. You pick the material and color.

"2nd don't compromise the vinyl windows, have someone fabricate a frame for you to place just a fraction in front of the windows and clip/caulk to the surrounding walls."

Huh?

That's a pretty interesting plan to say the least...

I'd have to agree!

Howard Johnson is right!

FYI...HomeSealed in on the Left, Todd is in the middle, and Millworkman is on the right.

So sayeth WoW...........

So black sharpie is what I'm gathering the best plan is here...

I wouldn't quite throw in the down just yet. I am not familiar with that wrapping option (as shown with the wheel) when it comes to windows. The issue I have with that is the ability to get the surface entirely clean. Working on a wheel on the ground and optimum height...a much easier task.

I think if you are dead set on black, your best bet is going to be to check with the Sherwin Williams folks about their paint. Again, as myself and others have stated above, that is pushing you to the absolute limits of that paint in this case and the lack of a controlled condition to install this product and control the mil thickness is going to be the challenge.

The broader question as to whether or not you can have black vinyl windows has been answered previously. We see it all the time if the right coating is applied and over a quality product.

The more in situ application is the variable here and is what is giving me pause as it pertains to a full steam ahead recommendation.

Did you get that vehicle wrapped option quoted?

+1. Having the windows done professionally with proper processes and materials will be your best shot. As I mentioned previously, if these are less than high grade windows, all it will do is expedite the process of needing them replaced. I guess the real question is, is it worth spending the $$$ to do that? Even further, if these windows are not great quality and are showing some age, perhaps it's a wise option from an investment standpoint to simply replace them now in the color that you would like. Good financing options are plentiful these days if you don't have the nut of cash available ... just a thought... Personally, that's likely what I would do, or just leave them white and get the contrast color on trim and perhaps shutters or some other feature

Did you price out just replacing the sashes? We did that seven years ago and it has worked out fine. The window frames were okay. When we bought the house, some of the original sashes had holes. With so many companies going out of business during the recession, we didn't want to end up with a mishmash of sashes, so we just replaced them all. It wasn't overly expensive.

Interesting, I didn't even realize that was an option...

It really is not an option with vinyl.

millworkman I would love to send you brochures and a booklet of our work.

There is no reason they would not be available on a vinyl unless they don't painted sashes for your series .

Panda I have seen and worked with your products.

@Bryan did you ever figure out a solution to this? We have an all black house and really want our vinyl windows painted black as well.

Beautiful! Any chance you remember the paint?

@bryan please let us know the paint! I have 6 new windows that are white on the first floor but really want to do black new ones on second and third. First floor windows are really nice but wish they were black and don’t want to be forced to go white up top simply because the bottom is white but obviously don’t want to replace 6 brand new windows either. The solution in my mind was paint the first floor windows black or vinyl wrap them while I put factory made black windows up top. Ugh!

Thanks all! Really wish I remember the paint. I did examine it once and it wasn’t any special off brand kind. It was black paint that was made for exterior applications. They didn’t prime, they had to do several coats and were really exceptional painters though, the kind that don’t use tape and they freehanded everything. It was pretty incredible. Like I said, after a year, some wear showed where leaves or debris had hit the paint and chipped a bit but quick touch ups were easy for me to tackle.

Looks good. Thanks for the update.

@Bryan - I found your thread since I'm looking to paint our windows black as well! Since I live in WNC, I figured I'd ask if you are open to sharing the name of the painter/business you worked with?!

Thank you so much!

Asheville Painting CO is crazy good. They have very skilled painters who didn't even use tape, just freehanded lots of our interior painting like baseboards and the black windows... and they did a perfect job. It was something else to watch.

https://www.facebook.com/AvlPaintingCo/

@Bryan - thank you so much

I get confused by the terminology- but i have a question that is similar- we are having the first floor of our house sided and want to have black window wrap installed (not replacing windows)- but need to have the upper level windows ( that is already sided ) re-wrapped in black to match the lower… (the upper wraps are white). is this okay to do? our contractor said it was fine but wondering if this will cause issues with water or anything…

I bet it’ll be fine to do.

Uniformity is important, it should look better. It will not cause water problems if done correctly.